Elvis and Anabelle

I loved this movie. Loved the actors, the story, the setting, the music: all of it. I am European and really appreciated that kind of tone in the movie. I thought about it for a few days afterward. Joe Mantegna is fantastic in his role as Charlie. Max Minghella and Blake Lively are phenomenal as Elvis and Anabelle: the chemistry between them is great. Mary Steenburghen is amazing in anything she does. Keith Corradine is wonderful as well. I love the message of hope that gives to teens. It is refreshing after seeing all these horror/slasher movies out in theaters. I would definitely recommend this movie and in fact I am already doing so: when is it going to come out?

Opens with vincent price, appearing in an old horror film. This was released in 2007, so of course, he had been dead for about fifteen years! But as of today, he's not listed on imdb, even as archival footage. So just after winning the beauty pageant, anabelle (lively) has a heart attack and dies. But it doesn't stick! When elvis (minghella) starts to work on her (sort of..) she comes back to life. And this is the story of what happens after that. It's weird. But cute. Dealing with a whole lot of social worker issues in this one. But there's a love story, way down in there. Somewhere. Forgiveness ? Love. Happiness. Blake lively and mary steenburgen. Written and directed by will geiger. An odd little film. But cute.

Appearing recently at the Mill Valley Film Festival, this jewel of a film combines deft humor, potent romantic chemistry and a subtle touch of the macabre in one of the most compelling love stories to appear on film in a long while. The script is wonderfully fresh, the cinematography stunning but never self-conscious, and the cast could not possibly be improved. Max Minghella is an extraordinary young talent--reminiscent of a young Johnny Depp--and Blake Lively is lovely and authentic as a small-town Texan beauty. Joe Mantegna does a phenomenal turn as an aging and disabled mortician, bringing dignity and wry humor to a challenging role. Kudos to writer-director Will Geiger for this beautiful film.

This movie should have had a wider release and more publicity. It's really enjoyable. It's got the story of a good indie movie like "Sideways" or "Little Miss Sunshine" - it's funny, touching, original and actually quite romantic. It's part dark comedy, part quirky romance. The situations are not unpleasant and the dialog is well written.

The actors are good. Blake Lively is a lovely beauty pageant contestant Anabelle and acts very well - probably one of the best acting jobs she has done out of Gossip Girl. She is a perfect fit for the role. Max Minghella as the embalmer Elvis while not a heartthrob is quite suited to this offbeat hero. They have chemistry a bit like Penn Badgley & Blake do in Gossip Girl. Mary Steenburgen is just right as the anxious pageant mom. Keith Carradine is good as the stepfather. Joe Mantegna is quite moving as Elvis's father.

Very highly recommended. Worth watching.

Just great. This is the fair definition of this special film about miracles, death, relations, a good father and his son , a queen of beauty and a house. I was seduce and impress, in same measure, by the wonderful job of Joe Mantegna. I was surprised by beautiful artistic skills of young Max Minghella. And, sure, by the story. And, yes, I admitt, the references to The White Snow or to Sun flower by Vincent van Goghis are a nice, very nice clues. Short, one of touching and pure admirable films , easy to become cheesy but well directed, seductive for the feel to be almost a personal story. And with few magnificent scenes.