Au Pair, Kansas

I enjoyed this film at the 2011 Naples International Film Festival last week. I was particularly impressed with the writer/director, JT O'Neal, who held an informative and entertaining Q&A afterwards. O'Neal is someone to watch in the independent film world. He is a wonderful storyteller, highly intelligent and very personable. The tales he told about making this film are almost as wonderful as the film itself. It is a story of seeking and finding happiness after loss. It reminds us that human beings need to play, to laugh and to love in order to get the most out of what life has to offer. The optimistic soccer nanny from Norway is the catalyst for this and you will love him. The two sons in the film (Atticus and Beau) also put in terrific performances.

I managed to catch this movie on Netflix. While flicking through the selection catalogue, a still of Traci Lords popped up. I recognised her straight away, and knew I had to watch it. Now before I continue I have to say I am a massive Traci Lords fan. I have followed her from her rise as the biggest name in the adult film industry to her re-birth as a legitimate actress. This may be the reason I have a bias towards her.

In any case, I have also gone through all of the reviews, both negative and positive. Since others have covered everything here in great detail, I will just add briefly to it and say I also enjoyed the film. It was a feel good movie that ultimately succeeded. There were parts in it that did not seem realistic, but it did not take away from the overall experience. Traci looked as beautiful as ever, and it is great to see how well her career as an actress has progressed throughout the year. I would recommend this.

I loved this movie, it had a story line that was exciting. It was such a happy movie to see, looking forward to it coming available on DVD to own. All the actors were top notch and funny with some explosives thrown in to to keep your attention. It was not the raunchy sex you see in some films which made it even better... the actors were all very funny and loved all the scenes especially the ones in the park, it did not seem like a low budget film which I have seen in the past. I have seen many movies over the years and this was one of the better ones I have seen. I would see it over again and enjoy it just as much the second time. I would like to see more of the writers and directors films and yes the actors as well.

I saw this movie at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival in Southern California and think it would do great at the major film festivals. I enjoyed this humorous look at a Midwestern town that has a mostly Scandinavian heritage. The interplay between a freshly arrived Norwegian and the Swedish Americans of the town of Lindsborg, Kansas was thoroughly entertaining. I thought all parts were well acted, particularly Traci Lords. The dynamics of a family coming to grips with the loss of the father was heart felt and emotional. What made the film extra special to me was all the details in the dialog and background concerning Nordic culture as well as a story well told of dealing with grief and moving on. The movie does cover some serious issues so I recommend it for mature audiences.

This is a very moving, intriguing and quietly funny film. It is a story about family, identity, grief and longing. Considering the low budget and limited production time, the cinematography is amazing and the production design is quite classy. The performances are impressive especially by the youngest of players. The two young brothers deliver some of the finest acting I have seen in film lately. It is the first film I have seen Tracy Lords in and she did a fine job of playing the widowed single Mom. This is a tale intricately woven which unfolds slowly, yet at the perfect pace. It is compelling, surprising and quite satisfying. It's the kind of film that stays with you and forces you to think about it and savor it. A quite well done little gem.