Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore

I thought this movie was really bold. Yeah, this was a first feature for the film maker. Hopefully we'll see more projects from her in the future. This movie was really important to me. It rang very true. If I saw this movie in my preteens I would have been *WAY* more informed about sex. The film makes it okay for a chic to be in control of her sex life. How many films have shown a girl how to get off-- and not from or for a man's perspective? Don't get me wrong. The sex scenes

were not only only hot but they were awkward, very true to life. Very much like a first time. I loved this movie. My friends and I cheered at the end.

This was better than expected.

Its practically just a girl and her life as a Teenager working in NYC in a small Movie Theater chain with a lot of colorful characters. She discover herself sexually through the help of her co-workers AND tries to you live life as she can.

Its the rawest of this Everyday Workplace comedies of nineties. It almost feels like watching a Warhol or borderline no budget filmmakers like Curt McDowell. Not well lit, filmed with not much quality film, and everything feels crummier than usual but it works because its sensible BUT there is a sense of knowing Mirth.

It also successfully drives a sense community and a randomness of working on a 9-5. Like having a 30 y/o co-worker bestie vibe with a demonic lynch-pin enemy nearby at the same time that more popular workplace films are missing (see Reality Vibes).

But yeah, it nose-dives after that certain twist AND never really finds footing.

Sarah Jacobsen mostly succeeds in creating a space of right enough raunchiness and vulnerability. Its kinda sad that she was unable to really have a big break after this as she died extremely young at 32. There is something beautiful in it to be honest until that twist.

Recommended but has faults.

Also a rundown of what the cast has been doing:

1. Marni Snyder Spoons- who played the Pregnant and Raped Grace, became a lawyer and tried to be a State Representative Philadelphia' 182nd District 2. Beth Allen - who played the Punk guitarist Ericka, actually was a Guitarist for bands like The Lucky13, Hot Patooties and still doing it.

3. Lisa Gerstein - who played lead Mary Jane, from the latest lead I got of her GoFundMe for Flounce Vintage. She might be the owner of that. She also has an interview for another vintage store in LA.

4. Bwana Spoons - who played the nerdy Ryan, is a very famous artist of Alien-like dolls. He has a website and all.

5. Andrew David DeAngelo - who played the insufferable alcoholic Matt, is now a self proclaimed Weed Expert.

6. No idea with Chris Enright, who played the dreamboat Tom, and Greg Cruikshank, the manager. They kinda just fall flat to earth. Chris Enright has work but mostly almost indie no budgets to be honest.

I have to agree with the NY & LA critical press on this film, "a complete waste of film." Poorly written, terribly shot, the characters engage in juvenile dialogue in a story meant for morons. Actors were horribly directed as they labored thru a sophomoric attempt at filmmaking. Belly lint is more interesting.

While I agree the screenwriting isn't the greatest, for the period in which it was released, it has very progressive views. Very open-minded for the mid 90's, and sadly, even today. It showed same sex relationships, single parenthood, female sexuality, sexual harassment and more without judgment or stereotypical characters in a time where that was taboo and unthinkable.

Mary Jane is one of those low budget movies that we are all supposed to love because it's a low budget movie, but that just doesn't fly. This is a film with almost no redeeming qualities. The camera work is bad, the lighting is bad, and most of the actors couldn't act their way out of a paper bag. It even lacks the one thing that sets most indie films apart and costs nothing, a good script. I have no doubts as to why this film is having a hard time getting distributed, and it has nothing to do with the film's controversial content. The fact of the matter is this movie is just plain bad.