Another good film with punctuation in the title. Seriously, the abortion subplot (covering different angles, including a trip to Planned Parenthood and a Crisis Pregnancy Center, the commentary citing a documentary to show the accuracy of the dialogue) is but one aspect of a worthwhile indie. I have voiced my annoyance that abortion is not properly covered in fiction. This is a good exception to the rule.
The main plot involves a somewhat selfish thirty-something that has something of a life crisis while handling the death of his dad, who was a schoolteacher in the title conservative working town. The film is good in not making the characters stereotypes, particularly a distant relative (and practicing Catholic) who is raising his two teenage children alone, one of whom is the girl mentioned above. His wife died from complications of having their younger child, choosing to carry out a dangerous pregnancy, so it is not surprising he is no fan of abortion.
Meanwhile, the ad man meets a local married school teacher (well played by Samantha Mathis -- strong cast) with problems of her own. Will feels a connection, not thinking about the problems raised given her situation. It is notable in this day and age that Mathis' character smokes. Apparently, unlike here, you can smoke in bars in Lebanon. So, we have a pretty busy plot here though Will (with various things going on, including dealing with his mother, Mary Beth Hurt again a good addition to the cast) and CJ (the girl) basically have equal time. Overall, though not totally, all of this (various characters have key scenes; the father talking to the daughter about her mom's choice a high point) is juggled fairly well. Enough here for a novel, probably.
I recall one review noted the lead character isn't that likeable. But, that is part of the point -- his experiences here humanizes him without any particularly unbelievable big changes going on. Overall, it is a good bit of movie making, the effort involved discussed in the commentary. [The commentary was interesting and well told, but I grew bored eventually.] I watched this on DVD to fill the time. It took five years to make. It is amazing to think about how much time and effort is involved in each of many films that are made, some like this only seen by a limited audience. This type of dramatic storytelling, with scenes from an ad agency to a college visit, is one reason I enjoy watching movies.
Samantha Mathis was in a pretty good movie entitled Pump Up The Volume (moment in history: my first published commentary was a letter to the editor about the 'R' rating) twenty years ago. Good to see (see also, "Rizzo" now on The Closer) she is still around.
The main plot involves a somewhat selfish thirty-something that has something of a life crisis while handling the death of his dad, who was a schoolteacher in the title conservative working town. The film is good in not making the characters stereotypes, particularly a distant relative (and practicing Catholic) who is raising his two teenage children alone, one of whom is the girl mentioned above. His wife died from complications of having their younger child, choosing to carry out a dangerous pregnancy, so it is not surprising he is no fan of abortion.
Meanwhile, the ad man meets a local married school teacher (well played by Samantha Mathis -- strong cast) with problems of her own. Will feels a connection, not thinking about the problems raised given her situation. It is notable in this day and age that Mathis' character smokes. Apparently, unlike here, you can smoke in bars in Lebanon. So, we have a pretty busy plot here though Will (with various things going on, including dealing with his mother, Mary Beth Hurt again a good addition to the cast) and CJ (the girl) basically have equal time. Overall, though not totally, all of this (various characters have key scenes; the father talking to the daughter about her mom's choice a high point) is juggled fairly well. Enough here for a novel, probably.
I recall one review noted the lead character isn't that likeable. But, that is part of the point -- his experiences here humanizes him without any particularly unbelievable big changes going on. Overall, it is a good bit of movie making, the effort involved discussed in the commentary. [The commentary was interesting and well told, but I grew bored eventually.] I watched this on DVD to fill the time. It took five years to make. It is amazing to think about how much time and effort is involved in each of many films that are made, some like this only seen by a limited audience. This type of dramatic storytelling, with scenes from an ad agency to a college visit, is one reason I enjoy watching movies.
Samantha Mathis was in a pretty good movie entitled Pump Up The Volume (moment in history: my first published commentary was a letter to the editor about the 'R' rating) twenty years ago. Good to see (see also, "Rizzo" now on The Closer) she is still around.