100 Mile Rule

I saw this movie at a film festival (Fort Lauderdale) and what a waste of time and money. The only thing going for it is the presence of the beautiful and talented Maria Bello; however, the viewer wonders how someone of her talent got mixed up in a below-average effort like this one. The major problems are a deficient script that couldn't get a passing grade in Screenwriting 101 and what can only be described as amateurish directing.

Best unknown dark comedy ever made. Wish more people would see it! Jake Weber, David Thornton and Michael McKean are fabulously funny and quirky. Maria Bello does a fantastic job of being the seductress. You never know what will happen when you are away from home with your drinking buddies on a business trip, but as the movie says, if you are more than 100 miles away, anything goes. The question is, will you regret the things that happen or will they be a fun memory? But when more than just you know about what happened, who do you trust? Twists and turns throughout, this movie will keep you on your toes and wanting more.

This film played a couple of indy festivals -- and Cannes -- and then went straight to video. There's a reason no major studio picked it up. It's mind-numbingly slow to develop. To say nothing of clumsy and derivative. The actors seem either under-prepared or indifferent. Even the usually infallible Michael McKean. Maria Bello, authentically less than pure as the cocktail waitress in "The Cooler," essays a similar role here. But she struggles with this femme fatale turn in the Linda Fiorentino / Kathleen Turner mold. The film's pace picks up in the final half-hour. But the action is no less plausible. One of those movies you wish was better -- but it's not. Writer Huff and director Pillsbury are actors who either aimed low or missed a higher mark.

"100 Mile Rule" is a comedy about three Detroit salesmen on business travel who become embroiled in scheming and scamming in L.A. This journeyman little low budget B-flick is a nominal no brainer watch for anyone interested in the something to chill to. Just keep expectations low and don't expect any LOL's. Lightweight entertainment for the male sofa spud sans tit-illators. (C+)

I picked this up because it had Jake Weber in it, who I love, and because I find Michael McKean hilarious. I didn't know what to expect, but I loved it. The comedy is quite clever and had me on the floor quite a few times. The acting is top-notch. Maria Bello is perfect as the femme fatale and makes sure not to go for the jugular in her scenes, brilliantly underplaying them to snare her game. Jake Weber has the dorky family man role down pat. Everything from the shifting of his glasses to his walk to his horrendous shirts. One of the funniest scenes involves him and his wife attempting phone sex.

Don't expect a mastepiece, it's just lightweight entertainment. But it's incredibly well-made, clever, funny, and well-acted.

9/10