Au Pair, Kansas

I saw this movie at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival in Southern California and think it would do great at the major film festivals. I enjoyed this humorous look at a Midwestern town that has a mostly Scandinavian heritage. The interplay between a freshly arrived Norwegian and the Swedish Americans of the town of Lindsborg, Kansas was thoroughly entertaining. I thought all parts were well acted, particularly Traci Lords. The dynamics of a family coming to grips with the loss of the father was heart felt and emotional. What made the film extra special to me was all the details in the dialog and background concerning Nordic culture as well as a story well told of dealing with grief and moving on. The movie does cover some serious issues so I recommend it for mature audiences.

I enjoyed this film at the 2011 Naples International Film Festival last week. I was particularly impressed with the writer/director, JT O'Neal, who held an informative and entertaining Q&A afterwards. O'Neal is someone to watch in the independent film world. He is a wonderful storyteller, highly intelligent and very personable. The tales he told about making this film are almost as wonderful as the film itself. It is a story of seeking and finding happiness after loss. It reminds us that human beings need to play, to laugh and to love in order to get the most out of what life has to offer. The optimistic soccer nanny from Norway is the catalyst for this and you will love him. The two sons in the film (Atticus and Beau) also put in terrific performances.

I was fortunate enough to be part of a private screening of this movie along with a group of people from our local PFLAG chapter. While I must admit, I was a bit dubious about the plot and the fact that Traci Lords was in it (I kept hearing 1970's porn music in my head...). However, I was truly surprised to learn that this independently-made movie was touching and quite realistic. There was romance, and many of the actors ran the gamut of emotions, doing it quite well. The plot was wonderfully written, and even a bit surprising. I think that the actors cast were nearly perfect for their roles. The movie was beautifully shot, and played with the quality and look of a multi-million dollar blockbuster. The soundtrack went well with the scenery and is one I'd actually put on MY iPod! Best of all, this movie touched on very real, very current issues in our society. I think the writer/director did a fantastic job of keeping this aspect of the film very real and appropriate. This film made me laugh, cry, and was thought-provoking in many ways. I'd highly recommend it!

I can't recommend this film highly enough. Traci Lords has become quite the actress and brings a great performance to a woman who feels betrayed by a husband who she wonders if he ever loved her and who left her all too soon. Trying to give her boys a role model she hires a male Norwegian au pair. This is a movie about dealing with loss and coming to terms with it. The acting is top notch, the small Kansas town is charming with some great scenery, and the writing is believable.

The au pair is obsessed with soccer and it is through soccer that he bonds with the kids and much of the rest of the town. Meanwhile the mom (Lords) becomes suspicious of the au pair for a variety of reasons. One device used through out the film is that of having the husband speak both as a ghost and via video tapes. It effectively establishes his relationships with both his wife and his kids. You won't be sorry you watched this film.

I loved this movie, it had a story line that was exciting. It was such a happy movie to see, looking forward to it coming available on DVD to own. All the actors were top notch and funny with some explosives thrown in to to keep your attention. It was not the raunchy sex you see in some films which made it even better... the actors were all very funny and loved all the scenes especially the ones in the park, it did not seem like a low budget film which I have seen in the past. I have seen many movies over the years and this was one of the better ones I have seen. I would see it over again and enjoy it just as much the second time. I would like to see more of the writers and directors films and yes the actors as well.