Bitterblue

Bitterblue is a film that tries very hard to reach the highest heights, and ultimately succeeds with flying colors… and then some. Director Robert Alaniz combines the raw talent of Hitchcock with the auteur spirit of Kubrick. Hollywood couldn't produce a work of this caliber in a million years, not with all of king Midas' gold.

When sitting down to watch this film I came in with a little trepidation, I had seen DINKS (Double Income No Kids) and was absolutely floored by the witty and subtle script, but also tremendously impressed with the caliber of acting that had been cultivated by Mr. Alaniz. But a drama…could he pull that off as well as he has with mystery and comedy? Could his talents really be that diverse and great? Of course they could! From the very opening shots and titles I realized how foolish I had been.

The story opens on a young boy (Toby) who although seems pretty retarded, isn't. He lives with his uncle and "aunt" who watch over him. The uncle is a bit of a sleaze, but the "aunt" is an angel. He is picked on in school, and eventually starts to date a young girl with problems of her own. But can they remain together even as a bully tries to break them apart, and Toby is accused of theft? You'll just have to watch it and find out for yourself.

The best scene takes place at a Culver's, just thinking of those Butter Burgers now, Oh yes, yes, yes, yum-yum-yum.

Director Alaniz works in 9/11 in not only a respectful way, but also in a way that makes a lot of sense. We all lost something that day, and this story shows us that in astonishing detail. Alaniz's choice to work in 9/11 as a plot device is a feat of cinematic bravery akin to Curtiz's Casablanca.

Not since Citizen Kane has a movie been so daring in every possible way.

In addition to writing and directing the film, Mr. Alaniz pulls off the triple threat by lensing the film himself in undeniably magnificent fashion. I know I will be watching and re-watching this movie for years to come. Everyone needs to see this film. Everyone should own this film (It's available on DVD through Sole Productions)

Sure the movie might be an indie but it doesn't show. This is a modern day classic that we will all be talking about for decades. His movies have already made such a splash (Winning awards at both the Illinois International Film Festival and also the Route 66 Film Festival) Oh, and not to forget Mr. Alaniz also produces his movies, is there anything he can't do?!

Though it is locally produced the film far exceeds what we import from the coasts. Hollywood couldn't produce a film of this caliber in a billion years with all of King Midas' gold.

I gave this film a 10/10, if I could give it higher I would have. I enjoyed this film, and that's all that matters, don't listen to the haters. If you don't like the movie, I'll eat my Gambler's hat.

This is a feel-good movie about finding friendship in unlikely places.

They should have a warning that it is a Christian film so it can be avoided by those that do not want that agenda pushed down their throats. All these type of films tend to use people and money from their own church with weak or little plots and terrible acting. A waste of time.

It's pretty easy to see where creator Robert Alaniz got his inspiration for Angels In Our Midst. This could have been an episode from Touched By An Angel only not as well done. The acting was pretty amateurish with one exception.

Young Ryan Soutzen lives with an uncle Gary Gow who's a two bit crook and a fence and has himself a gang like Fagin. Living with them is Katharine Trost who takes a personal interest in Soutzen, maybe the only one who actually cares about this kid who lost his parents in the World Trade Center and saw a vision of an angel.

Which has marked him as kind of strange and he's the target of bullies, mainly Matthew Vukovich. He's a part time star athlete, part time leader of the gang that Gow uses for home invasion robberies and full time bully. In fact Vukovich is the only one in the film that does a semblance of acting. He could have a career away from Christian films.

Bullying is something that Christian films occasionally address. But that's hard to do for them as the main reason kids are bullied is because they're perceived gay. Vukovich never uses the "F" word in his name calling of Soutzen and that's almost required in those situations.

It's strictly amateur hour with this film.