Isn't It Delicious

Caught this film at the Big Apple Film Festival, and what a wonderful surprise! Very expertly made with an absorbing script, and absolutely terrific performances from the entire cast. It should get wider distribution if for no other reason than Kathleen Chalfant's brilliant work, which is Oscar-worthy in my opinion. This is one of the best performances I've seen on film in years. She grabs this complicated, difficult character and imbues her with humor, humanity, and compassion... a real tour-de-force. This film has the feel of real life, with all the good and bad that implies. Rare to see family dynamics so honestly and believably drawn... it gives the entire ensemble a lot to work with. The direction is spot on, with some gorgeous cinematography and terrific pacing. Michael Kelly work miracles with his limited budget, and gets great performances from everyone, most notably Alice Ripley, Keir Dullea (how great to see him on film again!), Mia Dillon, Nick Stevenson, Suzanne Hayes, Alexandra Mingione, and Ger Duany. Funny and moving right to the final moment... don't miss it!

I saw the film in New York. It had lots of genuine humor, some moments of "Wow! I'm glad that never happened to me" and a sneakily-moving end. It's hard to love characters that are hard to love, but each had their humanity out for all to see.

While it's clear that the film was a modest one, the emotional content is the element on which no expense was spared. I was surprised by the emotional depth and quality performances that the producers and director managed to achieve in this small-budget gem.

It's clear the roots of the film were nourished deep in the pain and pleasure of life. I'm glad that the film showed the way that those two realities play off of one another. Great performance by Kathleen Chalfant!

Kathleen Chalfant turns in a memorable performance as the prickly matriarch of a Connecticut family who learns her days are numbered. In the time she has left, "Joan" has to try to heal old wounds and make amends for her actions.

This low-budget gem has all the elements of a stage production that has been expanded for the cinema. But the performances are what this film is about! Ms. Chalfant is joined by veteran stage and screen actors Keir Dullea, Mia Dillon, and Malachy McCourt. And a fine supporting cast rounds out the family, featuring Broadway's Alice Ripley ("Next To Normal") and up-and-comers Nick Stevenson, Jonah Young and Alexandra Mingione.

Directed by Michael Patrick Kelly and written by Kathleen Kiley, the film pulls you into the lives of these dysfunctional, but ultimately hopeful people, and by the end you'll find yourself cheering for them to find the happiness and contentment that has so far eluded them!

Isn't it Delicious, a dark family comedy wryly and irreverently visits the issues, How do you choose to live this one life? And how do those choices, good bad, and ugly affect your friends and family? From the adage that only the lucky grow up, and you know you've grown up when you have a really good hard laugh at yourself, this film provides lessons about growing up, delivering some hard laughs, and truths which sometimes keep us from crying.

Chalfant's performance provides heart wrenching, pain and authenticity. I realize this film was made on an ultra-low budget and sometimes it shows, but the story line stands strong. The film is worth a look as it takes a comedic look on the reality that one's life is so short in the infinite cosmos.

This lovely film proves that you don't need millions of dollars to make a compelling movie, just a story and characters that the audience can invest in and care about.

For my taste, there are never enough films featuring a strong, complex woman in a leading role, let alone a woman over 50, and the marvelous Kathleen Chalfant gets to shine here, along with an outstanding supporting cast.

This film is equal parts funny and touching and was clearly made with tremendous care and passion, which is evident on the screen. Highly recommended!