Sallywood

Xaque Gruber's first feature is a doozy with plenty of laughs, some genuine emotion and most of all the crazy, charming and brilliant talent that is Sally Kirkland. Playing herself in this bio-pic, she steals every scene she is in and makes Sallywood as special kind of film event. Tyler Steelman, playing the young Xaque, grows up a film fanatic who is particularly enchanted by the young Oscar nominated Sally Kirkland (from the film Anna). When he finally makes it to Hollywood a chance encounter with Sally changes his life forever. Steelman is perfect as the hypercharged creative bundle that is the real Xaque Gruber and a stellar cast that features Meg Tilly as Xaque's mom, Eric Roberts, Kay Lenz, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Lanny Vondohlen, as Xaque's dad, and the always excellent Michael Lerner all move the story along but the star of this film is the now aging Kirkland, her stardom behind her and struggling to pay her bills. Her brillance shines through in every scene.

Sallywood is filled with humor and pathos, heartwarming and zany at the same time... a beautiful story, well told. This film deftly tackles the oft-taboo topic of ageism --so pervasive in Hollywood, media and our country -- with heart, humanity and grace. This is a movie for artists and optimists, for the dreamers who dare to dream, and then go for it.

As a feature debut, Xaque Gruber's story is a triumph, and the top tier cast is superb. Sally Kirkland delivers a poignant and mesmerizing performance, stealing every scene she's in.

In these cynical times, we're all craving something light and hopeful and warm. Sallywood is what a movie is supposed to be: an entertaining escape to make us laugh, tear up, reflect. It is the feel-good film we all need right now!

A most wonderful, hilarious, heartfelt (more like heart SQUEEZED), docu-comedy-bio (is this a new genre?!) on legendary Hollywood actor & award winner, Sally Kirkland. It's damn funny & brilliantly written with Sally playing her greatest role (so far)... herself! To know her is to love her at least for Zack (Tyler Steelman), a young man from Maine who comes to Hollywood to meet & work for his favorite actress, Sally Kirkland, after being mesmerized by her unbelievably heartbreaking performance as an out of work, run down, Czech actress in NYC, in ANNA. See, there are those of us in this town who's Meryl Streep IS Sally Kirkland - someone, like Karen Black, Susan Tyrrell or Kay Lenz (who also stars, against type!) who seems to turn up in everything (good or bad) yet never delivers anything less than an amazing performance. And wouldn't be caught dead in a MAMMA MIA. And wait til you see the performances in this, stars from the '70s (Keith Carradine) & '80s (Eric Roberts, Mara Conchita Alonso) & the invincible, like Sally herself, Jennifer Tilly as Zack's eccentric mom. Hollywood has never looked more enticing and neither have any of these actors. Even Lenny Von Dolen (as Zack's sweetheart of a dad) & Michael Lerner (as the tv producer who steals Zack away from Sally) turn in lovely final performances (RIP). But it's all about Sally, the way she consumes the energy but then gives it back in mantras & blessings (as well as an impromptu, tour-de-force monologue from SAINT JOAN). Sally will always mesmerize. From being the first nude actor ever to appear on stage to showing off her dirty, banged up feet (hey, you try conquering Hollywood in high heels!) on a bed she insists Zack share with her (to his trembling, nervous, non-sexual glee), this is as real of a portrait of an actor's Hollywood life you will ever see that will one day be the greatest living obituary for a star, ever.

When you want to tell a real-life story, even one with difficult "episodes," use humor. This is what the best stand- up comics do, and why they are successful. They cull from their own lives, and this is what audiences relate to and identify with. Xaque Gruber does this so well! Humor gets us through life's challenges. The casting is superb, with actors you recognize, and they are wonderful. This is what a good "Indie" film is meant to be. This is a family-friendly movie, and those are hard to come by these days. There is something for all ages to love and enjoy. See this, and your day will be happier, I guarantee.

With a terrific cast and crew, this marvelous coming- of- age story is never indulgent but is funny, tender, has a great pace and some truly inspiring scenes. It is as much a coming-of- age story for the star, Oscar nominated / Golden Globe winner Sally Kirkland, who faces the story of her life in retrospect, just as the young Xaque, looks to his future. Casting is superb with every player present and fresh in the moment. The film's production quality is perfect in every department including some wonderful original music. This sweet-hearted picture has won over 29 festival awards and should enjoy a strong distribution life. Bravo!