Elvis and Anabelle

The movie made my wife cry (several times) and I thought about it (the movie) for several days afterward. We enjoyed it very much. So did everyone else at the showing (which was sold out). The film has an engaging story, happy ending, beautiful photography, great title, interesting setting (a mortuary without being gross)) and good actors. But it was also "different". The story in particular was thoughtful and well-written and, on its own, kept everyone engaged as the protagonists went from misguided misery to ignorant bliss to suspenseful drama, to . . . . I particularly liked Anabelle (beautiful and seemingly transparent acting), the mortician's father (deceptively sly in a positive fashion) and some of the "spare" dialog (which is hard to write). The mortician's devotion to his father was also touching. All in all, I strongly recommend the movie.

Appearing recently at the Mill Valley Film Festival, this jewel of a film combines deft humor, potent romantic chemistry and a subtle touch of the macabre in one of the most compelling love stories to appear on film in a long while. The script is wonderfully fresh, the cinematography stunning but never self-conscious, and the cast could not possibly be improved. Max Minghella is an extraordinary young talent--reminiscent of a young Johnny Depp--and Blake Lively is lovely and authentic as a small-town Texan beauty. Joe Mantegna does a phenomenal turn as an aging and disabled mortician, bringing dignity and wry humor to a challenging role. Kudos to writer-director Will Geiger for this beautiful film.

Being such a low-budget film I wasn't expecting much from Elvis and Anabelle but I'm glad I was proved wrong. Both Blake Lively and Max Minghella's performances were excellent. They portrayed characters who both hid dark secrets but also kept the believability of each character at an all time high. Joe Montegna stole the show for me playing the physically and mentally challenged father of Elvis( Max Minghella). His witty one-liners and the love he showed for Elvis and Anabell will touch your heart in such away that you will think about this movie for a long time after the credits role.

With such a quirky storyline and characters you will surely fall in love with,Elvis and Anabell is a terrific must-see film!

Opens with vincent price, appearing in an old horror film. This was released in 2007, so of course, he had been dead for about fifteen years! But as of today, he's not listed on imdb, even as archival footage. So just after winning the beauty pageant, anabelle (lively) has a heart attack and dies. But it doesn't stick! When elvis (minghella) starts to work on her (sort of..) she comes back to life. And this is the story of what happens after that. It's weird. But cute. Dealing with a whole lot of social worker issues in this one. But there's a love story, way down in there. Somewhere. Forgiveness ? Love. Happiness. Blake lively and mary steenburgen. Written and directed by will geiger. An odd little film. But cute.

This movie should have had a wider release and more publicity. It's really enjoyable. It's got the story of a good indie movie like "Sideways" or "Little Miss Sunshine" - it's funny, touching, original and actually quite romantic. It's part dark comedy, part quirky romance. The situations are not unpleasant and the dialog is well written.

The actors are good. Blake Lively is a lovely beauty pageant contestant Anabelle and acts very well - probably one of the best acting jobs she has done out of Gossip Girl. She is a perfect fit for the role. Max Minghella as the embalmer Elvis while not a heartthrob is quite suited to this offbeat hero. They have chemistry a bit like Penn Badgley & Blake do in Gossip Girl. Mary Steenburgen is just right as the anxious pageant mom. Keith Carradine is good as the stepfather. Joe Mantegna is quite moving as Elvis's father.

Very highly recommended. Worth watching.