California Scheming

"California Scheming" (2014 release; 98 min.) brings the story of Chloe Vandersteen (played by Gia Mantegna), a teenager in Malibu, and her equally bored friends. As the movie opens, Chloe find a wounded seagull on the beach. Two teenage guys, Jason and Nick, happen to walk by and they help Chloe to take care of the bird. The three of them strike up a quick friendship and are hanging out more and more. Later on, another girl, Hillary, who just moved there from Boston and is still grieving over her mom's death, befriends the three. Meanwhile we get to see Chloe starting to manipulate her friends. But is everything to be taken at face value? Or are we being set up by the script for a major plot twist? And why will the term 'creepy crawling' become a familiar one? At this point we are a good 30 minutes into the movie and to tell you more might spoil your viewing experience.

Couple of comments: first, this is the directing debut of long-time producer Marco Weber. He also wrote and edited the movie. Second, the movie takes forever to get mildly interesting towards the last half four. There is literally nothing happening In the first hour that is of any interest, other than the vague character building, I suppose. Yet even there, we do not understand what makes Chloe tick, or why she does what she does. Third, I get it that this movie wants to be the next "Cruel Intentions" but I have to tell you that compared to this, "Cruel Intentions" is an instant classic and a standard bearer. Fourth, what is with this movie's poster (a naked Gia Mantegna)? Just so you know: there is no nudity in the film, none. I think it is a shameless attempt to lure the uninformed viewer into thinking this movie is something which it isn't. Fifth, the photography in the movie is eye-candy (all filmed on location in Malibu). Last but not least, there are some great indie and surf songs playing in the movie. I was eager to check out what those songs were, but imagine my surprise when in the end credits the songs are not even listed! "California Scheming" opened this weekend on a single screen for all of Greater Cincinnati. I had a private showing at the matinée screening where I saw this at today, as in: I was literally the only person in the theater. I cannot imagine that this movie will play more than 1 week in the theater. But eve if it did, I honestly cannot recommend this movie. "California Scheming" is wildly uneven, with no clear direction for most of the movie and a script that is frighteningly void of good ideas and content. VIEWER BEWARE!

I don't even want to bother to elaborate why this film is so bad, considering enough time wasted watching it.

But since I have to write minimum 10 lines, this is what it is -

The film has NO story. No character development. It's about a girl who uses her beauty to manipulate people around her, but no offence, the female lead's look is below average, how is this convincible?

It's like a bad student film that only the creators get excited about what they're trying to show, while the audiences have no idea what they're watching.

Just stay away from this film. Not even when there's a free show on TV or online.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.

(Are those good reviews coming from people associated with this film by the way? Otherwise it's unbelievable that a real audience would say anything good about such a bad film.)

i am a major fan of the virgin suicides.

imagine the creepy thinking process of the Lisbon girls on drugs with ignorant Malibu students.

i loved the movie definitely watch it. the girl Chloe was scary. she's a psychopath in the hottest way. hands down loved the movie. i

loved the twist on Charles Manson's creepy crawling and marry poppins.

one thing i didn't like was the way Rachel was so randomly introduced.

other than that two thumbs up

recommend it for ages 15- 25

not your typical i hate myself teen movie, for once an actual good teen movie

This movie goes nowhere slowly. Save your self the trouble and watch _anything_ else! It is not poignant, enlightening, engaging, suspenseful, or the "thriller" it claims to be. It has an amazingly sleepy plot trajectory. The provocative cover photo leads to nothing really provocative with the exception of implied oral sex. The trailer is actually much better than the movie (and if this movie made any money in the theaters, it was because of the trailer - Once the word got out, I'm sure this film was pulled fast). This movie is available free from many streaming services. You get what you pay for! The final scene is much too long to wait. I enjoyed the credits more than I enjoyed the movie, simply because the soporific story was over. I feel like I fell for some cruel joke.

Actually don't agree with previews reviewer at all. Very dark, atmospheric and sophisticated story about the dynamic of teenage angst. This is for sure not your average thriller because it goes much deeper. The actors are totally believable and it sometimes feels like you know each of them from high school.it's fascinating to watch them as the story unfolds and the ending is just a punch in your gut.You can bet that the film will massively polarize and if you're looking for "I know what you did last summer" you will be very disappointed, if you liked "Twin Peaks" you might dig this one. Looking at some of the other films the director made one can see that he obviously enjoys being in the audiences face and not necessarily giving them what they expect. Worth checking it out.