I recently saw this short at the Newport Film Festival and I was blown away. This is one of the most innovative, refreshingly different, and surprisingly funny shorts that I have seen in a long time. The direction by Stuart Rogers is simple and to the point. The performance by the star, Daniele Ferraro was what really stood out to me though. The camera really loves her! Not only is she stunningly beautiful to look at, but she is not afraid to make fun of herself and 'try' to make herself look gross. She has great comic timing and is a master of physical comedy. Word on the street is that she did all her own stunt work too. I loved this film and would strongly recommend that you get to a festival and see it or look it up on line and try to buy a copy. Great Job cast and crew of Dirty Mary!
17 Reviews
From one Filmmaker to Another... Great Work!
mainstagelive23 May 2006
I am a filmmaker who's short film has screened a three times with Dirty Mary at other festivals. It recently screened again in Newport Beach, and again, it was a crowd favorite! Who ever commented earlier comparing Danielle to Julia Roberts really missed the mark. This girl is definitely in a unique category of her own, and anyone who endeavors on their first project with the guts she did, deserves to be commended! If you've embarked on the challenge of writing, producing, and starring in a short film, there is a lot to be said all around. These festivals are beginnings for all of us, and are necessary stomping grounds for artistic growth and discovery. I think Dirty Mary was fearless, fun, and honest. If you can't see that, you miss the whole point of our journeys as filmmakers. Every time I've seen this film screen, there are howls of laughter from the audience. Danielle, you rocked it! Keep going... I look forward to seeing you rise!
A true physical comedienne Daniele Ferraro is a modern day Dudley Moore accept she's a woman... and taller..and not British.
ising13131 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I saw Dirty Mary at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood. Wow! Daniele Ferraro really brought Mary to life. I feel like I know this girl. The writing was so real and the acting...was...well... not acting. I just about died when Mary was in the kitchen pouring herself coffee and started having flashbacks of the date. I wanted more flashbacks...oh my god it was so funny. I want to take this girl out, get her drunk and just watch her dance. That would be the perfect night out. The part when she is getting home and Kyle(I think that was his name) was helping her up the stairs was hilarious. Mary was telling a story about when she thought she was dying because she was growing tumors on her chest...which were just "boobies". I DIED because I actually have a friend who went through the same thing when she was little. I also couldn't get over the physical comedy. I would easily compare her to Dudley Moore and Lucile Ball. Oh, and the antibiotic comment Mary made when she was throwing up made me just about fall off my seat. I seriously want more of this movie. I hope there will be a feature. I am going to keep a close eye on this rising star... Daniele Ferraro.
Laugh Out Loud!!
filmfreakgeek11 March 2006
I am a filmmaker who heard the buzz about "Dirty Mary" at the Cinequest Film Festival, so I made an effort to change screening plans to get a peak. I must say that I am glad I did. This short film had my friends and I laughing out loud, and it seemed as though everyone around me was too. Takes a few minutes to get going, but once it does, hang on and have fun on this ride. I love it when pretty girls get ugly, and Danielle did it beautifully. She was not afraid to expose those ugly little scenes we all have in our life. I know that females will love this and males will have fun eavesdropping into the female psyche. I hope Danielle does more in the future. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for her. I think she has something very unique to offer as an actress and filmmaker.
loved it!
mickhaela6 March 2006
I saw Dirty Mary at a film festival in New York and fell in love with Daniele Ferraro. Her performance is hilarious, and her character is completely endearing. There are great moments of physical comedy where literally the entire room was laughing out loud, as well as some priceless flashback moments. As a woman, I respect this film for it's not so ladylike look inside a single woman's mind. Women talk this way, think this way, and the "nastier" dialogue made me smile and think of these moments with my friends. Daniele Ferraro is disarmingly funny and beautiful, in addition to being a talented writer. With her comedic and dramatic talent, I expect to see big things in her future.
Flat out funny.
zorrano22 May 2006
Top to bottom, this film is flat out funny. Dirty Mary is seamless, from the cutting, directing, writing and acting. No, it is not "The Pianist" nor is it trying to be. The use of light and score is specific to the circumstances, and emotional tone of the scene, yet never intrudes on the performances. The acting in the film is comedic, but NEVER loses touch with the truth of the situation. I have never seen better audience response from a short film in our film festival (nor have I ever taken the time to write a review for IMDb). My hat is off to the director, writer and cast of this short film. Our festival screens films of all genres, and due to Dirty Mary's fine film-making it was easy to place in any of our short programs. If you ever have the opportunity, see Dirty Mary. Look for director Stuart Rogers and writer/star Daniele Ferraro, I expect that they will both have more great films to come.
You fall for Mary from the start.....
dipnn31 March 2006
I saw this film in the Short Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre. Every gal has a little bit of Mary in her. She is a recognizable, hysterically funny and sweetly, endearing, vulnerable character. You are rooting for her, hoping she gets the guy and hoping she saves herself in the process. Entertaining yet a real testament of what people do in efforts of controlling themselves. Daniele Ferraro plays the perfect Mary. She's wild and funny and offbeat and strikingly beautiful. A total girl next door. The admittance of the "back of the drawer" granny panties is like a private sneak preview into women's under garment drawers all over the country. Mary's laugh is infectious. The only problem with this film is that it ends too soon. WE LOVE DIRTY MARY!!!
A piece of the life of a naughty girl.
wilkins37-12 March 2006
Very clever little pic. Good acting. Lead girl handles being wasted particularly well. She also has great comedic timing. Jack Johnson music gives it just the right touch. I have been debating whether to give it a 9 out of 10, or a full 10. The story, shots, editing, etc. all seem to be so tight, I went with the 10. I know it's showing at a bunch of film festivals so I don't know if you can get a copy to keep yet, but it might be worth actually buying when it comes out.
Nice ending too (no pun intended) when the credits roll. I don't want to give away the surprise, but it's definitely a new spin on things. I definitely recommend it if you can find it.
Nice ending too (no pun intended) when the credits roll. I don't want to give away the surprise, but it's definitely a new spin on things. I definitely recommend it if you can find it.
dirty mary - fantastic movie
ahabtv1 March 2006
my name is ahab and i'm an actor / producer / direcitor.
at a alocal film festival here in los angeles, I had the opportunity to watch this movie - dirty mary.
i really wasn't expecting much, especially as it was one of 20 films i'd seen that weekend... however i have forgotten about all the other films i saw but think about dirty mary all the time.
i guess its whats called " a good story!"
directing / pace - i'd give high marks too.
but i think the real strength of the movie is acting.
from the bit parts to the lead role played by daniele ferraro - top notch.
so if the same old routine of festival shorts has got u down, i say:
check out DIRTY MARY
at a alocal film festival here in los angeles, I had the opportunity to watch this movie - dirty mary.
i really wasn't expecting much, especially as it was one of 20 films i'd seen that weekend... however i have forgotten about all the other films i saw but think about dirty mary all the time.
i guess its whats called " a good story!"
directing / pace - i'd give high marks too.
but i think the real strength of the movie is acting.
from the bit parts to the lead role played by daniele ferraro - top notch.
so if the same old routine of festival shorts has got u down, i say:
check out DIRTY MARY
Watch it Intoxicated
therry-graves11 May 2006
This film was like a bad episode of Will and Grace, except Will is a lousy actor. The one gimmick doesn't pan out. The acting is over the top. There was nothing redemptive or thought provoking about this movie. The cinematography is clean. But the writing and concept were both very sophomoric. But Hollywood, and apparently festivals like dirty sex humor. I saw some great, and inspirational things at the festival. This was not one. This film is watchable if you're drunk or in the mood for mindless popcorn entertainment. Or you would like to see a Julia Roberts wannabe in a leading role. Why do we award indie films like this, that are really just reinforcing bland Hollywood entertainment techniques?
YOU MUST see this movie!!!
davidbelenky1 March 2006
I was at a screening for this film. I didn't know much about it or the actors, but I was surprised how fantastic this movie is. I usually don't like to go to these kind of screenings, but I'm glad I went to this one. The actors are great, the story is original, and the directing is sublime. Danielle Ferrero is certainly someone to watch for. I think she directed it herself, but her performance just blew me away. It had a real authentic feel and I would have thought this film was released by a major studio. So many independent films tend to look low budget and have abstract story lines, this is not one of them. If you get a chance to see this film, which I'm sure you will eventually, don't pass up an opportunity to see Dirty Mary!!!
Friends with an edge
oakland5527 April 2006
Friends with an edge: Those are the words I would use to describe Dirty Mary (DM) because it reminds me of a typical situation comedy that simply pushes the limits of good taste a little. Like most of the rest of the commenters here, I too found DM to be entertaining (although in my case mildly), and certainly competently directed and acted and there is no question DM is a looker. But do I think the film is revolutionary? A great film along the lines of Jim Carrey's first movie "Pet Detective" or Woody Allen's "Annie Hall", or Robin Williams in his first screen debut? Did I go home thinking about the movie? Will I remember DM in a year from now? For me, the answer to all of those questions is no.
Funny and smart
will-hartman18 September 2006
This short has played in many festivals that I've attended. Every time I watch it I laugh my ass off. There are a lot of good things going on in Dirty Mary. It's well directed. It's well written. And it's definitely well acted. The set-up is really cute and that final shot of Mary--specifically the camera work in regard to the location--laugh out loud funny. It is inspired lunacy. I look forward to seeing more work from all involved. This short could easily be evolved into a feature or even a series. A series about Mary would be very cool. Anyhow, best of luck and continued success on the festival circuit. It is very much deserved.
Amazing Dirty Comedy( contains spoiler sort of, but not really)
johnson-796 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
"Dirty Mary" is filled with situational comedy and exceptionally talented actors. Daniele Ferraro is an amazingly truthful actress that shows off her comedic skills in this laugh a minute comedy of self-induced errors. Her stunning beauty is equally matched by her hilarious self sabotage and she truly is her own worst enemy. Drake Simpson, Jeff Kerr McGivney, and Thomas Burr's well rounded and solid character performances fill out the cast and keep the story moving along so fast we can't help but wonder what they'll be starring in next. Thinking back on the flashbacks of Mary's(Ferraro's) date, the dance sequences( Oh God the dance sequences!), and quality physical comedy skills I find myself still laughing weeks later and putting the DVD back in to watch it again. Find out where this film is playing and go see it!
Finally a short worth watching!
navarrobeth29 May 2006
I saw Dirty Mary at the Venice Beach Film Festival and loved it! Amongst the usual bland, boring, trying way too hard to be significant shorts was Dirty Mary, Finally a short worth watching. It is shot beautifully and Mary is a funny, lovable character that, dare I say, any woman can relate to. A woman looking for love. She is played brilliantly and I laughed out loud more than once. And as funny as it is, the actors really hit the truth of the story and don't just play the jokes. If you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend it. You will root for Mary to make it through her blind date without completely screwing it up! I am a Warrior Princess!!!
Great funny movie! Must see
shannonsalvino7 May 2023
Best funnest movie ever, true story about all different friends in her life growing up and she put them all together and it is the funniest thing! The ending is hysterical young ladies, that some of the stories are taking from our true, and it will be such a funny show because there's so many women that would look back at their childhood and be like oh sugar snap that was me. When you like a man, you get so nervous and you don't don't do things you would normally do in life, but I guess sometimes men will make you do crazy stuff, and this film shows right now how we try to protect ourselves!xo.
Granny panties?
akdouglas27 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
For me, the best part of this movie was the end. It started off really "thkary" because some supposed gay guy was hanging out with Mary at this bar. I couldn't figure out what her character was really after. I saw this movie twice and I'm still not sure. Was Dirty Mary just trying to keep herself from being her typical slut self by wearing those blood stained granny panties? It wasn't so much the vomiting that bothered me, it was really, truly and honestly the gross-out spittle hanging off the side of her mouth the next morning. I wondered whether the guy she came home with was gay when all he did was clean her kitchen.
The lead actress is good though, I give her credit for that. I just think the material needed some rewrites. But that's just my opinion. And I'm not saying it's terrible because I am giving it 4 stars because it was amusing in most spots, just too gross for my taste, and I can actually take a pretty gross movie.
The coffee in the crotch thing was pretty funny - it wasn't something I had seen before a hundred times. And when Mary locked herself out of the apartment in her underwear - now THAT I actually thought was hilarious, especially because the camera-work in that scene was terrific.
The lead actress is good though, I give her credit for that. I just think the material needed some rewrites. But that's just my opinion. And I'm not saying it's terrible because I am giving it 4 stars because it was amusing in most spots, just too gross for my taste, and I can actually take a pretty gross movie.
The coffee in the crotch thing was pretty funny - it wasn't something I had seen before a hundred times. And when Mary locked herself out of the apartment in her underwear - now THAT I actually thought was hilarious, especially because the camera-work in that scene was terrific.
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