Don't Pass Me By

Greetings again from the darkness. A very low-budget indie done in the vignette style with multiple characters and story lines is a very ambitious undertaking for first time writers (Rachel Noll, Katy K Burton) teamed with a first time director (Eric Priestley). The inexperience shows, but there is also enough spark here to raise a little interest in the parties involved.

The cast includes the two co-writers, Sean Stone (director Oliver Stone's son), Nancy Karr (former Laker girls), Elizabeth Izzo, and brief appearances from Keith David, Jake Busey, C Thomas Howell and Jeremy London. Hannah (Ms. Noll) is an artist who is told she is in the final stages of cancer. Danielle (Ms. Burton) is a rising movie star trying to balance her shot at fame with family demands and a personal life. Jill (Ms. Karr) is an aspiring ballet dancer stuck in lousy marriage with a workaholic jerk. Brooke (Ms. Izzo) is a young pregnant girl in desperate need of guidance.

It would be nice if the stories of the four ladies were better intertwined, though the climactic convergence in a diner provides a quick glimpse of what could have been. All of the stories involve the characters attempting to overcome obstacles and re-gain control of their own lives. They have each missed opportunities and are dealing with that crazy thing we all call life ... the one thing we don't want to pass us by.

The film often suffers from heavy-handed melodrama, especially the overly-sentimental songs directing us how to feel at any given moment. But given the low budget and lack of resume from the filmmakers, it's actually a promising effort.

Recently I had the opportunity to watch the movie Don't Pas Me By. Although originally unsure what to expect, I was incredibly pleased with my choice to watch this particular feature. In short, this is a brilliantly honest, beautifully emotional film on life and the human heart. The film is, in a word, nice, and is sure to put a smile on your face with its messages concerning life and love.

Unlike in other movies where often the lead characters are men, or a combination of men and women, in this feature, the men take a step back and hand over the reigns to the female cast members, the movie focusing on the lives of four specific young women. It is especially interesting to view this change, which may explain why the emotions are so stirring, and with the exception of one particular storyline that seemed a little unrealistic (it was still extremely enjoyable to see regardless), the movie is a joy to watch.

Well known actors, including the always amazing Keith David,Jake Busey, who portrays quite a character, and C. Thomas Howell, whose message is one that fuels a great portion of the film, make cameo appearances that help push the leading characters into making decisions that ultimately affect their lives.

If I was to make one critical observation about the film, I would note how I found it strange that, with the exception of Mr. David, almost the entirety of the cast are Caucasian, and in a film that does a great job at representing humanity, it does not always appear to represent a vast quantity of cultures and ethnicity.

After viewing the film, I immediately set about watching it again; not because I had difficulty understanding the plot - not at all, the movie is very clear and concise; it simply is not every day you come across a film quite like Don't Pass Me By, which requires neither profanities or violence to explore its storyline, and instead does so through the use of character development and relationships.

On a final side note, this was the first time I had the opportunity to view the on-screen talents of actress, co-writer and producer Rachel Noll, who, with her performance, proves herself to be a skilled actress worth looking out for in the future.

First I must state I watched this flick a few weeks ago before writing this review. I had to read up on the plot as I had forgotten what it is all about.

The message of this story is (in my opinion) - don't let life get away without doing what you really want to do. Unfortunately life cannot pass you by or get away because as you are alive you are living a life. And just because you might be experiencing frustration or loneliness in this life does not mean life is passing you by!

These women just had an interest outside of their everyday life but not the will or ability to pursue their inner desire. So they are still living life - nothing has passed them by. It's an unfortunate title for this rather bland story.

How do you know you're doing the right thing in life? How do you know which direction to turn? This movie gives us all a taste of Real Life! We're not on the top of the mountain all our lives. Not in the valleys either. These four women's lives give a glimpse into our own emotional peaks and valleys. A very well thought through plot and sequence. I commend the writers, Rachel Noll and Katy Kvalvik, for keeping the viewer engaged. I am normally a little lost when attempting to follow movies with the vignette style. I highly recommend watching this movie, especially with your significant other. Life is a gift...that's why it's called the "present".

Despite average acting and a plot you can predict every step of the way, I still got absorbed in this story. An attractive cast, with some powerful moments of genuine beauty and emotion. Doesn't always make sense, but neither does life.