Courting Chaos

Ginger is a shy beautiful model whose Mother manages her modeling career. Everything about her life is planned and structured. One day on the way to the gym, she discovers some street clowns. She is enchanted by how this lively group is entertaining their audience.

Ginger quickly becomes friends with the actors, and learns that one of them named Chaos teaches clown workshops. The workshop is on the same night as a sponsored modeling banquet. She goes to the event, and then leaves early to catch the last half of the clown class.

This class opens up a new door to carefree existence for Ginger. Will it give her the courage to break free from her carefree existence and try a new career path as a clown? Or will she stay in her own safe little world afraid to try something new and exciting?

COURTING CHAOS is an outstanding movie. The actors throughout this movie are superb! Each one lends so much substance to the overall plot of the movie. Alan Clay is a man with many talents. I first discovered him through his wonderful writing. Now like a magician, he reveals to me that he is also a very talented movie director. I highly recommend this movie for anyone who is searching for a feel good experience. After watching it I noticed a sense of fulfillment and joy that was not there when I started it.

This movie is about finding your voice by figuring out who you are and what you want. Ginger is a good girl, does what her mother says and stays in her shadow, but she desperately wants to break free and be herself. Problem is she doesn't know who that is yet and she's too timid to attempt to find out. I really loved the "feel" of this movie, I was brought into the world of street performers and showed a unique lifestyle I had never seen or understood before. They are like a true family that accepts you and helps you blossom, not hold you back with their ideals. As I was in a similar situation not too long ago I could really relate to Ginger and found myself rooting for her (and wishing I could give her advice lol) as the movie progressed. Now I really want to read the book!

I have respect for indie filmmakers but this script needed a lot of tightening up before being shot. A lot of the dialog felt tight. I do not blame the actors it is obvious they did the best they could given the circumstances. More importantly Rachelle Dimaria's character lacked autonomy as a living breathing entity. It was painful to watch for the most par. It took thirty minutes to accomplish what should have been done in ten. A lot of it due to static expository dialog.

The most striking aspect of the film is the constant shakiness of the camera. I understand that filmmakers are capable of making creative choices but in this instance it is not serving the script in any useful manner and appears to be indicative of poor production rather than conscious choice. Secondly, it looks like they cut corners in the production sound and made poor choices in scene locations. This was made worse by the lack of coverage which created choppy cuts. This combined with muffled dialog I could just not watch this film.

I do not recommend this film except as an exercise of what not to do. The script was sloppy, the production was questionable. The premise is novel but the characterization, or lack of, had me reaching for something else.

I have seen two different movies by writer and director Alan Clay; the first was "Butterfly Crush," which Clay directed based on his novel Dance Sisters. I went into this movie thinking that Clay based it on his novel Moontan, A Clown's Story. Now, I think that he based the film on one of his books that I've not read. My point is that the movie is independent of any of Clay's books.

Ginger is a young up and coming model in Venice Beach, California. Unfortunately, her heart is not really in that career choice. Ginger meets Chaos, a street clown who shows Ginger a new way to express herself. Along the way, Ginger learns a great deal about her wants instead of those of her domineering mother.

The dialog seems refreshing and at times off-the-cuff. The characters came across as genuine. The storyline was timeless with a new twist. The lead actress, Rachel DiMaria, charmed me from the moment I met her. The actor who plays Chaos was so believable as a clown master and teacher. I wonder if Clay based the character on himself. The supporting actors and actresses added to the believability of the plot.

My final verdict...you should not pass up this opportunity for a smile and perhaps even a giggle from this refreshing and upbeat movie. I got it free with my Amazon Prime account.

This film was extremely touching and is one that I believe everyone should watch. Ginger is trying to find herself and break away from her controlling mother. She finally finds something for herself and tries to open up to it little by little. As the film progresses, Ginger progresses along with it. We see her unfold into the talented, beautiful young woman she truly is to us and others.

This film deserves to have a theater release to the public. The film is superb as well as the character development. The story is completely solid and the setting is amazing. People should hear Ginger's story. I'm planning on hosting a small movie party this Friday and featuring this movie! Watch it, share it, and enjoy!