All You Need

Kellie Martin is adorable in this nicely paced movie. It should actually get very good exposure because I read it was recently picked up by Lifetime as a network premiere. I really got pulled into the movie and enjoyed the characters very much.

I absolutely loved this film from the moment it opened. The photography in the beginning was gorgeous! I knew this was "my" film as soon as the family started talking over Thanksgiving dinner. The mom over did herself (again), the Grandmother just isn't all there, and of course the siblings argue over who will say grace. Then after the meal of course the guys watch football and the women do the dishes. And all of this happens, and then what do we do? Relive the nightmare all over again at Christmas... only this time the grandparents out do themselves with gift giving, and the stressful holiday season tends to bring out the worst in families. I felt like the writer of this film had to have lived in my home!

The language was a bit strong, but considering the circumstances of the situations these characters were put through... it's something that can be overlooked. I thought the director did a wonderful job with this film, and the actors were flawless. I think this film was very inspirational on the part of Kellie Martin's character overcoming her broken marriage, drunken mother, and her quest to find her true love. In the end, this film shows it is important to take care of ourselves - physically and emotionally - because "we're the only person we have to live our entire life with."

Good points, good script, the jokes were funny, and the photography was beautifully done! I hope it'll come out on video soon!

"Division of Assets" is now called "All you need", easy, catchy, and totally anonymous. Very well written, excellent acting and very convincing setup for a little independent production (under a million budget). Unfortunately the themes are not exactly original (the alcoholic mother, the Thanksgiving dinner which focus the underlying tension) nor is the execution. Nor is the "as good as it gets" philosophizing. Yet the move is fresh and funny, and it won't probably be seen outside of the video market, which makes people wonder about the fairness of the current distribution who choose what YOU will see.

A quote from this movie which is a surprise; when Kellie Martin says this, it reflects the growth and maturity of her character, and the choices she eventually makes within the family dynamic.

This movie centers around the family; three adult sisters who each respond differently to life's problems. I loved the fact that the story was not trite, nor was it a "knock-down, drag out" negative movie about dysfunctional families on Christmas; (If you want to see imbeciles throwing a turkey at someone; that scene has been done to death.....the movie with Holly Hunter, ""Home for the Holidays"", for example.)

Kellie Martin is excellent, as the independent, stronger sibling. Janet Carroll skillfully portrays the alcoholic mother, and is quite memorable in these type of roles. The issues of divorce, jealousy, and Al-Anon are addressed in a realistic, and helpful manner; I think the writer and director of this movie did an excellent job.

Rent or buy this movie for the holidays....it is affirming; without being banal or superfluous, like most movies about family problems.

I saw a screening of "All You Need" at the 2001 Savannah Film and Video Festival at which this film won the Best Feature Award. This movie takes what could viewed as a somewhat trite subject, topic, and setting and re-invents them. The screenplay is entertaining and engaging, I never got bored. The direction is crisp and camera placement nice. Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of this film is the performance of Janet Carol as the mother. She pours her heart in a gut-wrenching and at times dispicable character, yet she manages to wrestle sympathy from the viewer at the same time. I had a chance to talk with the producer and was told that this film will receive a much deserved theatrical release.