A Reunion

What a cute, endearing movie. Lots of laughs, carefree behavior, a road trip from LA to Chicago, with some secret stops along the way. I like the indie feel of it, great acting, compelling characters. I live in Chicago, the ending was great to see my beautiful city captured through different eyes.

Despite the fact that his character ("Michael") is really quite irritating, Michael Lovan delivers the role really quite skilfully here as he sets off on a road trip with his reluctant friend "Josh" (Josh Watson) for a reunion with college friends they haven't seen for years. It is clear from the start that there is some baggage here, with the latter man more reserved whilst his floppy-haired companion prattles on relentlessly to the point where an ejector seat might prove an essential at the car hire company. Their meeting with one of their erstwhile friends and her new husband goes particularly badly then a bid of shocking news upsets their apple cart well and truly. Thing is. Can they salvage anything? Is there actually anything worth salvaging? Well the short answer would have to be no, not really. The plot is undercooked right from the start, the nature of their relationship completely lacks context or plausibility and there's precious little chemistry on offer between two men whom you'd have to reckon would never be each other's "type" on a desert island. The production can't have had much of a budget but that's not really an excuse for the mediocre and uninspiring standard of the dialogue though it might explain why the denouement is rushed, incomplete and certainly not interesting enough to merit "A Reunion II". Average all round, sorry.

The cinematography was pretty good. But it felt like a travelogue. Was it really necessary to put "Las Vegas" across the screen while showing signs of Las Vegas?

The endless, dopey slow, brooding of the Michael character was annoying. We got it already. I could just imagine the Director telling him too walk slow and put his head down. Over and over and over.

I felt gypped that they apparently ran out of money and couldn't afford some kind of ending.

In my opinion, the nudity felt gratuitous and din't seem to work into the storyline too well. (And I love nudity). Not really knowing anything about the characters left me, as a viewer holding the bag. It seemed like there was just way too much for the viewer to figure out. Filling in a few gaps is fine, but really?

I don't understand why there are no reviews of this movie. It was quite entertaining and even endearing, although sometimes too wordy. The locations were great, perhaps because I've been to some/most of them. Most of the dialogue was realistic, as well as the acting. I'd like to see A Reunion II.

Why was Tucumcari (NM), titled as "TUCUMCARL"? WTF?! How could no one catch this?! Acting was decent, scenery good, although it seemed they weren't putting man miles each day. The story never seemed to take off. No "pop" the entire movie.