Sallywood

I didn't know what to expect. I actually do know that Xaque Gruber is an extremely talented writer, but... This film is a triumph. The actors are amazing. The script is funny and real and and every word and scene tell a story that we can and do relate to while we laugh, and cry, and care. Xaque Gruber as writer/director brought a true story to life with his amazing cast and crew that will resonate for generations.

Xaque (the protagonist, brilliantly acted by Tyler Steelman) comes to Hollywood from Maine. He has had a loving upbringing in rural Maine, and starts the film off with a truly funny reveal of how he went to Hollywood with a fan-crush on Sally Kirkland. Sally is at best a handful and at worst at self-absorbed narcissist extreme. As the film's star, Sally dives in, and shows us that yes, this may be a troublesome part of who she is, but she is also loving, deserving of love, and one of the best actresses ever on screen, despite the apparent poverty of her life in Hollywood as she ages and struggles to even make car repairs.

I can't wait to see this film again. The acting was brilliant, and what a cast. I credit Gruber with bringing this story to life in a way that is not only believable, but so funny and genuine. Hope many will watch and love.

A most wonderful, hilarious, heartfelt (more like heart SQUEEZED), docu-comedy-bio (is this a new genre?!) on legendary Hollywood actor & award winner, Sally Kirkland. It's damn funny & brilliantly written with Sally playing her greatest role (so far)... herself! To know her is to love her at least for Zack (Tyler Steelman), a young man from Maine who comes to Hollywood to meet & work for his favorite actress, Sally Kirkland, after being mesmerized by her unbelievably heartbreaking performance as an out of work, run down, Czech actress in NYC, in ANNA. See, there are those of us in this town who's Meryl Streep IS Sally Kirkland - someone, like Karen Black, Susan Tyrrell or Kay Lenz (who also stars, against type!) who seems to turn up in everything (good or bad) yet never delivers anything less than an amazing performance. And wouldn't be caught dead in a MAMMA MIA. And wait til you see the performances in this, stars from the '70s (Keith Carradine) & '80s (Eric Roberts, Mara Conchita Alonso) & the invincible, like Sally herself, Jennifer Tilly as Zack's eccentric mom. Hollywood has never looked more enticing and neither have any of these actors. Even Lenny Von Dolen (as Zack's sweetheart of a dad) & Michael Lerner (as the tv producer who steals Zack away from Sally) turn in lovely final performances (RIP). But it's all about Sally, the way she consumes the energy but then gives it back in mantras & blessings (as well as an impromptu, tour-de-force monologue from SAINT JOAN). Sally will always mesmerize. From being the first nude actor ever to appear on stage to showing off her dirty, banged up feet (hey, you try conquering Hollywood in high heels!) on a bed she insists Zack share with her (to his trembling, nervous, non-sexual glee), this is as real of a portrait of an actor's Hollywood life you will ever see that will one day be the greatest living obituary for a star, ever.

This is an utterly charming film. It honors a storied actor who has never given up striving for the perfect role and tells the real-life story of her relationship with a sweetly naive Hollywood newcomer who refuses to lose sight of his own goals. Tyler Steelman is just right as Zack and Tom Donnelly is outstanding as a hustler looking for a way into the Hollywood game. In many ways this movie is a throwback to the glorious moment for indie films in the late '90s and early '00s. It proves once again that you don't need computer graphics or studio glitz to make a film that demonstrates real affection for its characters and a spirit of hope and optimism -- all leavened with irony-free humor. Xaque Gruber's first feature-length film should move him firmly onto the path toward a solid future as a crowd-pleasing writer-director in Hollywood.

I saw Sallywood at the Silicon Beach Film Festival and what a gem! The cast were all amazing and played effortlessly off of each other. The story was incredibly well written, so honest and truly heartwarming as we follow Sally and Zach in their new friendship, her pursuing her next big role and him pursuing a career in writing. I was either smiling or laughing out loud the entire way through and loved the moments of absolute silliness. The love between Sally and Zack shines through and I was lucky enough to meet Sally, director Xaque Gruber and other cast members after the show. If you get the chance, you've got to see this movie!!!

Xaque Gruber's first feature is a doozy with plenty of laughs, some genuine emotion and most of all the crazy, charming and brilliant talent that is Sally Kirkland. Playing herself in this bio-pic, she steals every scene she is in and makes Sallywood as special kind of film event. Tyler Steelman, playing the young Xaque, grows up a film fanatic who is particularly enchanted by the young Oscar nominated Sally Kirkland (from the film Anna). When he finally makes it to Hollywood a chance encounter with Sally changes his life forever. Steelman is perfect as the hypercharged creative bundle that is the real Xaque Gruber and a stellar cast that features Meg Tilly as Xaque's mom, Eric Roberts, Kay Lenz, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Lanny Vondohlen, as Xaque's dad, and the always excellent Michael Lerner all move the story along but the star of this film is the now aging Kirkland, her stardom behind her and struggling to pay her bills. Her brillance shines through in every scene.