I Melt with You

Late last year, I had the chance to preview a little film titled "I Melt With You." It's an ensemble drama featuring Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, Thomas Jane and Christian MacKay. This film opened in the thick of the Holiday Movie Season.

If your idea of a holiday movie treat leans toward the likes of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" or "Arthur Christmas" or "The Muppets," this film is NOT for you. If your idea of a holiday movie treat leans toward the likes of "Mission Impossible…" or "Sherlock Holmes…" then this film is NOT for you. Quite frankly, after watching it twice, I'm really not sure just who the hell this film is for - and that is not a criticism of the film. It is a strongly acted, strongly directed film that sucks you in and doesn't let go.

Every year, four "forty-something" college friends leave their careers and families behind to gather in a sort of mini-reunion where they live the weekend as if they were back in school - lots of sex, TONS of drugs, and the obligatory (punk) rock and roll. This year, however, things will be different.

And it's at this point, I must stop. To reveal anymore would lessen the film's impact on the viewer. The trailer gives you enough backstory (actually, a little too much) to make a synopsis from me redundant.

This film has polarized audiences throughout the festival circuit. Reactions to the film have been strong and deep felt - both positive and negative.

Bottom line - Is this a good film? Yes, I think it is. As I said - it's strongly acted, strongly directed, energetically edited and dynamically scored. Is it a pleasant film? Absolutely not. This is a tough film – a very tough film. Tough to watch, tough to listen to, tough to think about, and tough to let go of after it's over.

I guess a case could be made for the very specific demographic aim of this movie: 40 plus and male - oh, and if you have done a fair share of drugs? Bulls Eye!

Listen, this IS a good movie. A downer, for sure. Nothing happy-go-lucky to see here.

But you WILL have to have lived a bit to get its qualities.

Millennials, who's greatest movie experience is what ever Super hero movie is currently playing, need not apply.

Bonus: A killer soundtrack - maybe the best ever in a movie.

Wow how this passed me by I don't know ! super cast, acting, cinematography and soundtrack was pretty good too. A dark drug fueled impressive movie hitting on middle age regret, a must for generation X

This movie reminded me of my life. And it scared me. This will not be for everyone. If you've lived through a "drug era" with a group of good guy friends (who you've stayed close to most of your life). The film may be for you. If you like films that kind of make you ponder about the dark side of life in general this also may be for you. Hope this review helps someone; I wouldn't take the horrible scores from IMDB and rotten tomatoes seriously. Great actors, amazing acting, plot that moves you and can reflect the lives of others, and has a good soundtrack... this film won't be for people that like dramas with a little more meat, (which this film kind of lacks).. however, with the money they spent to make this film the director and actors did a great job. Kudos.

Hard to know what to make of this. It's an extreme drama concerning a foursome of 40 year olds, who have one last, insane reunion. The greatest collection of punk rock tunes (as the soundtrack) overpowers some of the dialog but compliments the heavy, drug induced scenes. One that needs attention and then to re-visit at a later date. Middle life crisis has just become, all out crazy!