Hard Sell

The writers didn't push hard enough, there weren't any laughs or key dramatic moments that could help develop the characters. When it came time for the stripper to give life advice to everyone, I realized the movie wasn't going anywhere. This is probably a modern spin on the classic film "Risky Business".

Skyler Gisondo was so dopey in this, he always plays a nerdy or obnoxious high schooler with a high pitched voice. Also Kristen Chenowith, who portrayed the mom, was an eye sore- she didn't exude any positivity. I couldn't fall in love with any of these characters nor soak myself into the story.

Turned it off after one hour and instantly forgot about everything I saw.

Hardy Buchanan (Skyler Gisondo) is a loner attending a rich Long Island private school. He lives with his depressed mother Lorna (Kristin Chenoweth) in a small apartment. His aged dog needs surgery but he has no money. While volunteering at a homeless shelter, he meets Bo (Katrina Bowden) who claims to be a homeless stripper. He takes her in for the night. She reveals that she ran away from a mental hospital. She flashes a bunch of kids for $50 and Hardy has an idea to make money for his dog surgery. Lake (Hannah Marks) is a disenfranchised girl at the school who takes an interest in Hardy. Bo's appeal becomes more than flashing her boobs as she helps these kids' troubles. Meanwhile, her past is closing in on her.

There is a bit of Risky Business, high school romance, and some mental health issues. The characters are good. Bowden is a fine manic pixie dream girl. This is a fine indie for the most part. I can do without the preaching by Hardy in the climatic confrontation with the school authorities. I would have liked a more interesting ending for Bo. There are a bunch of little things that could have been better but it's a nice effort for Sean Nalaboff's debut full length film.

I saw yesterday the movie Hard Sell.I like it a lot. I saw it because i'm a fan of Katrina Bowden, since i saw her in the movie, Tucker and Dale vs Evil.

The force of the movie, for me, is the script. We see a high school student with a crazy mother and he don't know what to do with her.We don't see often this kind of story.The student forms a friendship with a runaway and they're funny to see together!

We connect with all the principal characters. The acting is excellent. They are touching and funny and we believe they exist.

The movie was shot in Long Island, New York, and we see beautiful places.

So i highly recommend this movie. You have a good time watching it. *I hope my text makes sens. My first language is french.

Director/writer: Sean Nalaboff doesn't quite pull it all together in this flick and it was a hard sell to me. I wanted to like this movie but I found the characterization to be more uneven than consistent. Plus the story is told as episodes in Hardy Buchanan's life - examples - there is Hardy with his emotionally unstable mother, these is Hardy with the beautiful runaway Bo, there is Hardy at the preppy school showing off Bo, there is Hardy dealing with the administration after his money making scheme is uncovered.

All these bits a pieces just do not come together as a flowing story. (At least that is how the movie comes across to me) Then his mother is put into a mental institution and we never really know what her problem is. Bo comes across as too together to be a runaway. And the outdoors party scene was confusing as Hardy seems an outcast at school but OK at a party.

I couldn't go with the intent of a boy having to become an adult at his young age. This story, as it is, doesn't develop the soul Sean Nalaboff is so trying to project.

I found the movie funny and touching, well interpreted and i've been easylly catched in. I enjoyed it, it's funny and sad at the last part.