I recently viewed Dorfman at a film festival in San Francisco, in which the writer, director, producer, and Elliot Gould were present. Sadly, that was the best part. The movie, itself, was cliché and superficial, the script was threadbare. There was no nuance, and most everything represented was painted in black and white (how I hate that!). The brother is always a jerk. The father always favors the brother over the protagonist, martyr daughter (Deb), until -after a two minute heart-to-heart - he sees the error of his ways. A 10-yr romantic interest of Deb - who is sensitive and understanding and appreciative throughout the entire movie - becomes a sex-crazed, self-absorbed narcissist when she is forced to make a critical decision between two men near the movie's end. I found little honesty in this movie, and I imagine the actors had to work hard to create back-story and dimensionality to their characters, as little was provided by the script itself. For a young kid producing this movie on his/her Super 8, I'd be impressed. For a film worthy of contemplation and discussion in a film festival? Don't waste your time.
It's not a terrible movie, but it's far from a good movie. The writing reminds me of the admonitions we give children about drugs, alcohol, and sex: "Don't do them; they're bad". Yet, those same children see their own parents and elders drinking and having sex. The truth is that the issue is more complex and nuanced than what we can explain to young children, so we make it black-and-white. This movie is like that, and as a result, it misses the mark completely. It's a caricature of itself, and ultimately, an embarrassment.
This movie would best we watched between 3:30-5a, when you can't sleep, and you have nothing better to do. It's like junk food, except that it doesn't taste as good.
It's not a terrible movie, but it's far from a good movie. The writing reminds me of the admonitions we give children about drugs, alcohol, and sex: "Don't do them; they're bad". Yet, those same children see their own parents and elders drinking and having sex. The truth is that the issue is more complex and nuanced than what we can explain to young children, so we make it black-and-white. This movie is like that, and as a result, it misses the mark completely. It's a caricature of itself, and ultimately, an embarrassment.
This movie would best we watched between 3:30-5a, when you can't sleep, and you have nothing better to do. It's like junk food, except that it doesn't taste as good.