Hard Sell

It almost pains me to write a review saying that this film is mediocre because it did have a lot of potential. But there were elements in it that just didn't make sense.

Hard Sell could not sell me on how young Skyler Gisondo is able to afford attending what looks like a really posh prep school when he's living with a single agoraphobic mom played well by Kristen Chenoweth with a drinking problem.

Doing volunteer work at a homeless shelter Gisondo befriends a young runaway who says she's a stripper. Gisondo has a sick dog who probably should be put down, but he insists on raising money to save it. The surgery will cost $10,000.00 and there ain't no health insurance to cover it. Rather ridiculous on his part, I know having had to put down an 18 year old cat because it was his time.

Katina Bowden plays the 'stripper' who isn't all she claims to be in fact she's a lot more. Bowden and Gisondo go into some Risky type Business.

The characters were appealing i just wish they were attached to a more coherent story.

This is a story about a repressed kid and his family and his messed up relationships. It's also about learning to care about what you want to care about instead of just what everyone thinks you should care about.

This story's characters are generally sad and depressing in many ways. But it's about getting past that and learning to love life and those we meet for what it is.

It's a coming of age story that goes far beyond the problems each character has.

You won't get through this movie without feeling something. This movie is for anyone who feels they're not where they wanted to be in life or love. It can make you feel real low then lift you up with some comedic mishaps.

The acting is great from the entire cast. There are no car chases or CGI or adventures. There are sexual innuendos but nothing raunchy. Just really good story telling. With an overall message of caring.

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.

In the film "Hard Sell", a high schooler is struggling with money. He helps out a stripper which eventually leads to them starting an almost borderline prostitution service for his fellow schoolmates.

The premise alone gives the impression that this film could have deep and interesting characters that the viewer wants to root for, but unfortunately, it doesn't reach that far. Watching the film, it seems that the writers just piled various life problems onto their characters, in hoping that we will feel sorry for them and connect with them, but it doesn't happen. The character of Hardy has many life problems: lack of money, mother with mental challenges and a dog that needs a $10,000 surgery. Yet under all that baggage, Hardy came across as an unlikeable asshole, and same goes for the stripper, Bo. The only time any character came across as likable is when two characters who have never danced before attempt to dance at a party.

This film is not bad, but is in no way a must see Indie.