Me and Will

I stumbled across this film on the Sundance Channel one night and got hooked right away. It's a simply told, yet amazingly powerful and affecting story about two women who find a common bond, form a friendship and take to the open road on their motorcycles for a journey on which both will confront a few of their personal demons, leading to a poignant yet somewhat uplifting conclusion.

I'm surprised that this movie never made it to theatres. Sherrie Rose and Melissa Behr were already actresses when they got together to write, direct, and star in this film and I look forward to seeing them get back behind the camera again; they are definitely film-makers to watch out for! I hope this movie gets released on video and DVD so that others can discover this simple yet powerful story. ***stars

This has to be one of the best independent films I have ever seen. Sherry Rose and Melissa Bher are truly two very talented writers. The simple combination of two women escaping from a mental institution, their developing friendship, and what emotion means to even a couple of druggie biker-chicks makes for a perfect drama. Jane's emotional chains to her father reflect how even childhood problems can haunt you forever, as does Will's relationship with her obsessive compulsive mother. Also, the cracking of an emotional shell of two hardend bikers may appeal to some drama hounds. The acting was four stars, even from a very tatooed Patrick Dempsey, as the boyfriend of Jane. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for something to satisfy an uncontrollable urge to see a fantastic film.

It's amazing the way Hollywood squanders talent. Sherrie Rose and Melissa Behr have spent most of their careers doing exploitation and cheap TV shows. On their own they put out a movie like this. This is a very touching movie, a road picture with obvious debts to "Easy Rider" but also a lot to say about individual freedom and the choices made in life. This kind of movie was very prevalent in the 70's but is a lost art these days. And who paid attention to it? If not for an article in Femmes Fatales Magazine, I never would have heard of it. It's sad the treasure that goes unnoticed out there.

For those old enough to have experienced 'Easyrider', Me and Will holds no new vibes. I think it a true copy of this very famous 1969-movie. It is admitted to be so, by the way. What remains, is enjoying the nice American landscape the two bikers are travelling through. A short study on the differences between Me and Will and Easyrider also provides some entertainment: two girls (1999) against two guys (1969), a deeper explanation of the youth- and drugproblems compared to 1969, and a different death by one of the bikers. In 1969 he is shot, in 1991 she gets an overdose. For the fans of Traci Lords: she has a tiny role as a waitress, and does well.

This is a terrible, terrible film. From a completely objective viewpoint (i.e not slagging it off just because it didn't have any guns, fights, gunfights, robots from the future, helicopter gunships, etc in it) the film has one main problem: The plot. It meanders all over the place and at points it seems like bits have been stuck in at random, without making any kind of sense. It does this in a completely non-arty, out of character and overall annoying way. The only saviour of this film is some of the acting which can be pretty good at times. Ok, write-off the two blondes (Will and.. and.. the other one) and many of the other characters but Will's neurotic Mum is great and the random trucker giving them directions is hilarious. Incidentally this is the highlight of the film. Right, back to the rest of the film: The constant sepia shots of the girls on their bikes were INCREDIBLY cheesy and not even in a good kind of way, because only ONE shot is used, this becomes very very annoying. Overall, the lines spouted by the actors are hackneyed and generally garbage without advancing the plot any. Most of the acting itself is either extremely wooden or completely over the top (eg the violent police officer).... I could go on and on. But I won't because I need lunch. General view: If you watch this film, expect to be bored and irritated. Sorry.