Dorfman

There's always an uplifting feeling when we see someone (even a fictional a character) find the courage to be true to themselves. It's something we all aspire to do. Dorfman will not disappoint in this regard. Sara Rue (Deb) becomes a whole person and we get to take part. Sara really delivers here and should find more star vehicles. Deb leaves the safety of the San Fernando Valley to explore the unknown of a revitalized downtown Los Angeles-not an easy transition for her. In five short days she begins to understand she's more than an enabling sister and daughter but a real person entitled to her own space and feelings. You'll never be able to look at Elliot Gould the same way again. He's great as a truly loving father who still has the potential to grow and enjoy life. Haz Sleiman is great, simply great. His character Cookie comes off as almost too good to be true and still authentic. I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to everyone.

So overall I thought it was pretty good- there were a few spots I could have done without (unnecessary bondage, reference to porn etc), but thought the overall the characters did pretty good, were like able (or purposefully unlikeable), good chemistry between too main characters, and good scenery. Other then the bondage, it wasn't too objectionable although I really wanted to smack the brother (although pretty sure that was the point.) Not bad for light hearted, (mostly) feel good movie.

When Deb Dorfman (Sara Rue) house sits for a friend, her life changes forever. Her dad (Elliot Gould) has tried setting her up, but it doesn't seem to ever work out. Her married brother is a mess, and drags her into it. And now she has to house sit for a friend's cat. And it hates her. Will Deb ever get her own life figured out? Maybe she and her new next door neighbor can help each other. It's fun. Kind of feels like this was someone's own life story. Directed by Brad Leong, who has directed four films to date.... two of those were short films. Story by Wendy Kout,who was also a writer on mork and mindy in the 1980s. That's awesome! Blast from the past.

I fully agree with Salsa Boy from San Francisco. I saw this movie last night through the D.C. Jewish Film Festival. Elliott Gould did the best he could with a script that was one-dimensional at best, and, at worst, rehashed the worst sort of Borscht Belt stereotypes (to wit, "We Jews don't paint, we HIRE painters..."). Through most of the movie, I felt like I was watching cartoon characters (awkward girl with low self-esteem; brother who's an insensitive jerk; father who's super kvetchy), though it did get stronger toward the end. The theme--self-discovery and transformation--was a worthy one, but handled clumsily and in eminently disbelievable ways. Both the writer (Wendy Kout) and the great Gould himself spoke and fielded audience questions. I made the mistake of asking Ms. Kout why the characters seemed at times like caricatures, and I was stunned by her response, which I'll quote in its entirety: "You are SO welcome to your opinion." This movie is redeemed a bit by Gould's vulnerability and charm, but his talent is largely squandered in a script penned by a Hollywood hack.

Such a fun movie!!! Fantastic cast and lots of laughs. An inspiring story told beautifully, with an insider's peek at the coolest places in downtown LA.

If you live in LA or ever intend to visit and haven't seen this movie, you are seriously missing out.

I've lived in LA my whole life and was so excited to learn about hidden gems I never knew about before.

And the chemistry between Elliot Gould and Sara Rue is terrific. Gould is hysterical, as always, and Rue comes out of her shell like never before.

Highly recommend. Good times for all.