Valerie Flake

I've now seen this movie twice. I still don't know what I've seen. Unusual yes, repetitive yes, boring no, well acted yes, predictable yes, unusual plot no. So how do you evaluate this movie ? See it for yourself, give it time, it will gather your interest, do not expect a lot. While Susan Traylor is not pretty and looks well worn in some scenes, she does have a sexy face and nice body movements, she sure could use some more curves though. Her acting talent is pretty good, although I have never seen her in another movie, so it's hard to judge on the basis of one time. She is this movie, she carries it throughout. The rest of the acting seams pretty good to me and each character adds something to the film. I suggest you watch it..

I've seen Valerie Flake twice now at screenings, and was very pleasantly surprised the first time, and equally entertained the second. The performances are wonderful without exception, and the direction is very accomplished. This is especially so considering the no doubt abbreviated shooting schedule on a $500,000 budget. While I had a few small problems with the ending, I was unable to find any major faults in the film. I think the picture hinges almost entirely on the performance of the lead acttress, and I can see why some moviegoers might not be instantly smitten with her. However, I think that's part of what makes the film work. It takes some work on the audiences part to root for this character, but once you make that decision you're in for an entertaining ride.

"Valerie Flake" is a slice-of-life indie which tells of a homely young woman with an abundance of sarcasm as she tries to find herself in the wake of her husband's death. The film is flawed in many ways but the most notable seems to be how her love interest falls all over himself at first sight when most men would have been running the other direction. I sat through this tedious and very ordinary drama because the Tivo guide info ranked it at 2.5 stars along side such films as "Girl Interrupted" and "The Patriot". Guess I'll be calling Tivo. Pass on this one.

Wayne Dwight (nwdwight@earthlink.net) With all the comments the above person wrote were way off base! This was one of those movies that keeps you on edge of your seat wondering where it is going and if this poor unfortunate can find happiness, which she ends up not finding! Sad movie, but fun to watch and just enjoy as a story that most of us will never live! Susan Traylor did an excellent job in this movie! Don't understand why this hasn't brought her additional roles. She just made the movie, even with her exposure and dead pan expressions, which just made her more interesting to the viewer! I have to say I really enjoyed watching and enjoying her work!

The buzz was good. "Why can't more films be like this one," remarked an audience member as he left the Dickinson WestGlen 18 theater complex in Shawnee, Kan. after the special Film Society of Greater Kansas City screening of "Valerie Flake," the independent film from director John Putch starring Susan Traylor and Jay Underwood. The movie drew praise from several members--but not this critic. And yes, it pains me to say so, considering Underwood traveled hundreds of miles to Kansas City from California just to promote the film (and serve as featured speaker for the Eighth Annual KAN Film Festival at the University of Kansas the following day).

In his remarks before the screening, Underwood described the film as a "labor of love." He auditioned for his role as Tim, the heroine's love interest, because he was attracted to the "great script." Every movie needs a strong story, and according to Underwood this one has one. So strong, in fact, it was one of those rare occasions when both his manager and his agent were in agreement after reading the script. However, as Underwood himself remarked the next day at the KAN Film Festival, a great script doesn't always guarantee a great movie. Sadly, that seems to be the case with "Valerie Flake."

This film revolves around the character of Valerie. She's in every scene and somewhat of an enigma. She's a grieving widow who unsympathetically ridicules her dead spouse. She sleeps around (to mask her pain?) and fears commitment. And she struggles with at least one demon inside her, which she unleashes at her in-law's 40th wedding anniversary celebration.

The film is a complex character study (as many independent films are), and for it to succeed, the audience must relate in someway to Valerie. Unfortunately, Traylor failed to connect with me. She plays Valerie too blandly. She's supposed to be an alcoholic, yet she seems to be the same person drunk or sober. Most people I know change personalities at least a little bit when they are under the influence of the booze. Valerie stays in the same stupor all the time.

Traynor's blandness becomes even more apparent when contrasted with Underwood's character Tim. He's a sweet, instantly-likeable guy who's suddenly smitten by Valerie when he sees her helping the new cashier in the grocery store he manages. Granted he's been separated from his wife for eight months and is extremely lonely, but it's impossible to see what attracts him to Valerie. She's certainly not very charming, and yet within two days he invites her to live with him. By the end of the week, he proposes marriage, much to the dismay of his disapproving mother, nicely played by Christina Pickles. I could understand Valerie falling for Tim, but not the other way around.

The rest of the ensemble does a fine job. Director John Putch (son of actress Jean Stapleton) enticed several veteran actors into the cast (Peter Michael Goetz and Rosemary Forsyth are particularly effective in what amounts to cameo roles as Valerie's in-laws). The music by Kathleen Wilhoite helped set the mood for several montage sequences and the production values belie the film's meager (by Hollywood standards) $500,000 budget. According to Underwood, the film was well-received by the Daily Variety critic at this year's Sundance Film Festival, but failed to attract a distributor.