University Heights

I saw the film when it appeared in Iowa City, where it was shot. I was surprised by the production value. The filmmakers made it look really sharp! Kudos to the team and the actors. I'd say more so to the actors, because even with the high-end production value, I felt that parts of the movie a bit cliché and a bit overdone. I don't think that makes it bad, but it keeps the film from being all it could be for a student film. I'd rather the plot wasn't done in such an over-complicated way, or that certain plot devices had been left out. But still, I don't think this is a film where you can really critique the writing so much as the production value, the way it was shot, the acting abilities, or the sheer audacity that the filmmakers chose to make a film closer to Hollywood than as an experimental art film which seems to be the only thing coming out of Iowa City film students. There is a place for both, and I appreciate that.

University Heights is the kind of movie actors must love. It's a strong character piece that often shines at festivals.

Many interesting camera techniques were used to tell this dramatic Twilight Zone-y tale of drugs, racism and homosexuality. Some pretty weighty topics to tackle and the producers managed to bring them to a powerful and moving ending.

University Heights is everything Gus Van Sant's wanted Elephant to be, INTERESTING!

If you dig character movies that examine people at their core, you'll love University Heights.