Old Fashioned

I saw Old Fashioned at a "sneak peek" event in Florida and was pleasantly surprised. The scenery is just beautiful and really adds to the tender, rustic feel of the whole story. And the story itself is profoundly moving. The relationship between the two main characters is something that really resonated with me. I loved the chemistry between the two characters (Clay and Amber) and found things in both that are just like me. Amber is just adorable and I'd like to find a guy like Clay in the real world. I also loved the subtle nature of this "faith-based" film. It definitely affirmed my faith and my struggles to live as a godly, single person; but, it did so without hitting me over the head with religion (so many "faith-based" films seem to treat the audience like they're idiots! We get it, already!) This isn't just a good "faith-based" film, it's a good (even if a little slow) indie film -- period. I've never seen a film quite like it.

Want to see a romantic movie of two people who have absolutely no chemistry? Well this is your movie. I'm personally not a Christian but even if this movie wasn't a Christian film, it would still be horrible. None of the characters were interesting besides Clay and that was because he was so crazy and his morals made no sense. Clay can't be in a room with another woman because of a promise? Is the guy a rapist or something, it's like the guy has absolutely no self control or something. Clay is also very boring and dull but yet the character Amber finds him charming. Clay also tries and says that dating does nothing and doesn't add to a relationship. He says that what do you learn from jumping in bed and then finding out if you have anything in common after-wards, it begs the question, what kind of dates has this guy been on. Another thing I have with this movie and many other Christian movies is that it portrays all non- religious people as being douche-bags or dick heads. Besides the fact that the characters are boring, dull, and have shitty and stupid morals, the film is still bad. The film damn near put me to sleep. Nothing was interesting in this movie and I have no problems with romance films. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, not even my religious friends. The only way I would recommend this film is if you wanted to watch something that was so appalling and out there that it's unreal.

Let's start with our main character (and director) Clay. He is a 40+ year old man that runs an antique store while dressing like a frat boy with a surfer's haircut. Clay is so out of control of his desires that he can't even be in the same room with another woman and believes in the teaching's of a radio shock jock that says "women are stupid" (Direct quote) while desiring such power that he enforces his beliefs on others without question. Now you may think this gentleman is some kind of terroristic person attempting to impose sharia law on law abiding citizens. Surprise! Clay is a deeply religious Christian man that can't help stopping his friend's bachelor party and kicking everyone out instead of just leaving because he feels uncomfortable. Be as religious as you want, Clay, just let other people live their lives the way they would like to because this is America and that's kind of the whole idea.

The female lead is pretty charming, though, and the there are some great looking shots of the Ohio landscape, but more than anything this film is a boring lesson on how to be a preachy, controlling dick.

I liked the pace of the movie, the cinematography, the antique feel. Filled with a lot, what the danish call "hygge" Something I think is very precious and not often captured in many movies. The movie, on the surface might seem like a religious one if one want to see it that way but I for one, am not religious, and it did not seem like one to me as much as it did seem like a movie exploring the idea of 'dating' on a deeper level. To an extent, It did explore the idea of a person having a relationship with him/herself and its importance. Yes, the guy in the movie, did seem screwed up and had these silly rules to his lifestyle with regard to dating. But the girl was also screwed up except it didn't seem that way so much because that is perceived normal these days with everyone running away from their relationships to the next one. And this aspect is exactly what caught me about the movie- That we are all screwed up in many ways so we might as well take the time to get to know each other, which in the process, only helps us get to know ourselves better with the other person being a mirror. Romantic relationships have the power to take us to those realms in ourselves that no other relationship does. It is not easy. It is very confronting as the other person is a mirror to look into ourselves. Now during this process of looking into ourselves, many of us, run away, hide, create walls and boundaries and silly rules to protect ourselves, which is what the characters in the movie do as a result of the shadows that exist within them. I like the pace of the movie and the idea of taking it slow coz i guess facing our shadows and allowing someone into our lives does take time, being authentic and vulnerable with ourselves in the presence of another, does take time. Allowing ourselves to get intimate with another is allowing someone into our space and that takes some getting to know, and connecting, not just on the surface but on a deeper level. And that takes time which is a beautiful process. I also loved the dating ideas portrayed in the movie. Cheers to taking time and taking it slow :)Cheers to the "Old Fashioned" ways. It does have a charm too.

I went to see this movie to support the idea that young men and women can enter and sustain a relationship without using each other for sex on their first date! I listen to a radio station out here on occasion and believe me, it happens way way too much. So sad. I really liked this film. By the time it was finishing up, I had tears running down my cheeks. Why? Because it was beautiful to see love like Clay and Amber's bloom as it did. REAL love, admiration, respect, etc. I found Amber to be the kind of young woman I would love to have as a good friend in my own life. Not only is she a "pretty girl" on the outside, she is very believable as a "real girl" just like you or me. Clay lives up to his name - kind of a "stick in the mud (clay)", but I could really relate to his inner pain. I felt much compassion and respect for him. In our modern culture, would love to see and hear from more men who are like Clay. I believe that they are out there! This movie addresses sex, marriage, playing the field, God, and taking chances. It is not preachy at all but it delivers the moral message we can all use. And at the end of the film, I started to clap, and then the entire theater joined with me! I want to see more movie like this made and distributed. It was worth the $10 ticket. I plan on buying the DVD when it is released. Parents, have your teens watch this movie; single ladies and men - go see this movie; dating couples - go see this movie; married folk - go see this movie. Do yourself a favor and forget about that other "love" move being so heavily promoted (50 Shades) and go see Old Fashioned instead!