Chance

To sum up this review, you HAVE to see this film. From start to finish it is 75mins of pure comedic joy. I had to buy a signed photo from the movie from Benson Entertainment to get the DVD as they still haven't got backing to release it yet. This is a terrible shame because Amber Benson is an amazing writer/director/actor and her film should be out on the market for people to see. The film also stars James Marsters (Spike in Buffy The Vampire Slayer) who plays Chance's (Amber Benson) best friend, Simon. The two characters ooze chemistry on screen and dialogue that passes between is nothing short of brilliant. Whether you are a Buffy fan or not, this film is definitely worth a look.

I bought this film based upon the facts that (a) I'm a huge Buffy/Angel fan (b) James Marsters fairly permanently occupies the wallpaper on my PC (c) I was heavily influenced by the other reviews here on IMDb (d) I think Amber Benson is a talented girl and I've followed other projects like The Ghosts of Albion (UK's BBC Online)

Anyway, I digress - is the film actually any good? I think so.

It's not perfect, maybe periodically a little contrived; at times I found myself wondering if Jay and Silent Bob might just appear from somewhere, as some of the characterisations aped early Kevin Smith a little too closely, although I wouldn't blame Amber for looking in that direction for inspiration, the guy is a great writer/director.

I found the principal characters of Chance and Simon likable and easy to relate to, it took me a while longer to feel comfortable with the idea and structure of some of the other characters. Maybe that was intentional, I don't know. It was fun to spot all the Buffy/Angel-related people out of context :) Amber certainly doesn't typecast...

Some of the writing was laugh-out-loud funny and quotable, and the acting was first-class in all departments. I find it hard to believe that Chance has not been able to find a distributor to date. This film, and Amber Benson, show a hell of a lot more talent than the average Hollywood offering, and coming across as a "small film" in terms of budget and production style, has all the hallmarks of a cult hit given the opportunity of more than a just few thousand getting to see it.

I wasn't disappointed in the $68 (£39) I spent getting the movie over from the US - you buy an Amber signed poster and 10x8" print and get the DVD for "free" - the system seems to work, Benson Entertainment were very efficient and I got the film in 2 weeks from start to finish - pretty impressive!

I wish Amber Benson every success in any further attempt to get Chance distributed properly, and any future productions - based on the projects she's done so far, she's got a real chance(sic) to be a big Hollywood player in the not-so-distant future.

Finally picked up a copy of the DVD, as I'd heard about the film and was curious to see Amber Benson's work. I won't go into the plot beyond saying it's a comedy/drama based around the two main characters, Chance and her friend Simon. Like many Indy films it's a bit rough around the edges, but I enjoyed it a lot. Unlike some of the other reviews I thought the acting was for the most part good, particularly the two lead roles, Amber Benson as Chance, and James Marsters as her friend Simon, with interesting characters and story.

Having said that I can understand why other people wouldn't like it, especially if they are only used to seeing typical Hollywood style films or are expecting the stars to reprise their Buffy roles. Indy film fans, or people who like character based films are more likely to be won over.

Anyway, I'm giving it 8/10 as I liked it a lot.

When I found out that Amber Benson directed a movie, I didn't expect it to be that great, but then I found out that James Marsters was in it. If anybody deserves to be an A-list, 20 million a movie actor, its James Marsters, so I decided, "Hell, why not?"

And yeah, James was incredible. Even if he had horrible BO, I wanted to jump right in the screen and make him my own. Amber Benson was mediocre as an actress, but she definitely needed a script doctor to fix the occasional lame, unrealistic dialogue. Though the movie eventually makes sense at the end, the time-jumps aren't defined and just serve to be annoying. For its budget, its not bad, but the camera angles and shots need work too.

Watch it, pay to support poor, poor Amber Benson.

I took a 'chance' and bought this film, but know that others may be wondering whether it is worth a view. Amber Benson does an admirable job here as writer/director/lead actor and her casting of James Marsters was inspired, if very understandable as a result of the Buffy link. He has obvious pedigree and audience appeal, which will immediately reach a greater range of viewer. But one soon realizes that you are not watching 'Spike' and that his role as Simon, the love interest, is rather engaging in it's own right. For those huge fans of James - I know there are many - this film allows him to shine ever brighter,whilst exploring a very different character. And there is sufficient romance to please. It is a real shame this film does not have a distributer. They are missing a huge market if the James Marsters web sites are to be believed. Give it a go if you can get hold of a copy. Well worth a look.