Footprints

See this movie! I wasn't sure how I would feel going in and was so happy to find myself on a funny, unique and surprising journey up and down Hollywood Blvd. I won't spoil any plot points but audiences will have something to talk about after they leave the theater.Cool stuff. Hearing the director,cast and crew speak about it after the screening I have to say this is a must see for filmmakers who are tired of waiting for someone else to say yes to their project. When you see the quality of the performances, locations, camera work, costumes, everything top to bottom you can't help but find yourself inspired by what they achieved. Decide you won't be stopped and get it done, oh, and write a great script!

I saw the film when it screened at the Denver Film Festival this November. It is beautifully framed, smartly directed, and interesting. It felt like the films of the 40s (almost film noir, but not as dark) superimposed with modern times. Comfortable, yet mysterious. Filmed in Hollywood, it covered many of the familiar sights that so represent the city, yet was never old nor boring. It was well paced and made sense, and actually had not just an end, but a satisfying ending, unlike many of the screened movies... There were many nuances and undercurrents that the viewer has to watch for, and I wish that I had been able to catch the second screening to enhance those that I had already picked up on. It can be as deep, or as shallow, as the viewer wants, but will never be boring. I highly recommend this film. Catch it if you can...

Footprints, written and directed by Steven Peros (who also wrote the Peter Bogdanovich film The Cat's Meow), is a modern day fantasy, set in a town inspired by fantasy, and filled with a great many broken dreams. Sybil Temtchine is very affecting as a woman who wakes up one sunny morning on the footprints of Hollywood's famous Grauman's Chinese Theater. Ironically, or, perhaps, expectedly (?), the first person to greet her in this Tinseltown landmark is a rather irate, if comical, homeless person.

Our Gal, Temtchine's name in the credits, embarks on a journey of sorts to try to find out who she is. Not necessarily a heartwarming story, Footprints certainly tugs at your heartstrings, especially when we arrive at it's revelatory moment. And, without giving anything away, it is one of those moments that stays in your mind.

I walked into this at a recent film festival, not expecting too much. The movie poster is a girl laying on the sidewalk...or maybe she is she sleeping. I couldn't tell. But, anyway, to the point. I LOVED this movie. It was sweet, imaginative, endearing... and most of all - REFRESHING. It has been so long since I've seen a film, even at a theater, let alone a festival, that has really stayed with me. But this one has. The writer/director delivers a very original and incredibly interesting take on show business, and all of her many pawns. Anybody who has a dream can get something out of this movie. It is truly inspiring.

Storytelling at its best! Very imaginative. It has heart, it has drama, it has nostalgia. It makes me wonder about what it was like at another time in Hollywood. I'm still thinking about it. Writer-Director Steven Peros took a simple idea that not too many people would think about and turned it into a believable journey that every person can relate to. Every frame grabbed my attention and kept me going till the very end. The acting was very well done. It's film making at its best where there is no need for blow-ups, violence, or robots. I would see it again just to get re-inspired by the cinematography. I hope it inspires more film makers to make more films like this. See it.