Dee Dee, una donna controcorrente

This movie is a riot - we were lucky enough to see it at the Chicago International Film Festival and the entire audience laughed out loud throughout the film. Lisa Ann Walter (playing Dee Dee) is a comic genius: She brings so much dimension to the character. Dee is crazy, lovable, annoying and courageous all at once. She's so "out there" that you just can't help but root for her. Kurtwood Smith gives a powerful performance as Dee Dee's father. The scene in his painting studio/office where he "loses it" was superb; and the one in the hospital with his loyal assistant Stuart (played by Jeff Clampitt)is great also. The rest of the cast is excellent too. Keep a watch out for J.P. Manoux, because he is going places for sure. This is Mike Meiners' first full feature movie, but it does not show at all. The directing, editing, etc. is top-notch, and the soundtrack is awesome. I really hope others get to see this film - it is laugh-out-loud-funny. Mike Meiners' full-feature debut is a hit.

Thank you all for your comments both positive and negative. This industry thrives on people talking about our movies. I'd just like to address a comment from an otherwise spot-on remark from "dedmouse." Thank you for defending me but the editing that so bothered you is ENTIRELY my "fault." I do not believe in "the line" that most filmmakers find it taboo to cross. I believe today's audiences have seen enough filmed entertainment and behind-the-scenes documentaries to understand they're not watching a play but looking through a camera that can be moved and are no longer prone to becoming disoriented when the camera captures something from the other side of a scene. I may be wrong. It does certainly seem to be disorienting to filmmakers. Also, in terms of the shots going from CU to master to over-the- shoulder in a slipshod way, you may be right. My priority was the actors' performances. Whatever brought out the best verbal timing, best reaction, facial expression, tone, etc. won out over issues of visual pacing and was placed in the movie. It was simply my priority. I was heavily involved with the editing and was the final word on editing decisions. It's entirely possible that these were lousy decisions - I just thought it would be in the spirit of these comment pages to let you know that they were on purpose and that they were my call. --Mike Meiners, Director

It isn't very often that I laugh this hard at a movie. Lisa Ann Walter had me in stitches. J P Manoux's performance was awesome as well. His lines were minimal but his facial expressions said volumes. Kurtwood Smith gave another great performance as expected. For those of you that are used to seeing his hardnose characters such as his role in Dead Poets Society, you know what I'm talking about. The films pacing was good with a fairly fast comedic clock which is not easy for a film to maintain. Even though this film reports a budget of 750 grand it comes off like a Hollywood production with a much higher budget. The few things that I would point out that only perhaps a filmmaker might notice as weekpoints would be one; the music. The score was great and quirky when it needed to be but lacked some emotional punch when it really needed it. There were two scenes in particular (which I won't mention) that should have had you crying your eyes out but with no fault of the acting failed to deliver. Second, the cinematography while pretty good at times found itself confused. I recall during the film being annoyed by the camera not being able to find the right position. It would jump the line and irratically go from a tight shot to a wide shot to a medium shot to an over the shoulder to a...if you uderstand this stuff you know what I'm talking about. Apparently, from watching the way the majority of the film was cut this was no fault of Mike Meiners who made a fantastic film in all other respects. If you have a chance to see this film by all means do it. You won't be disappointed. By the way, did I mention that The Chicago International Film Festival is a great place to see a premiere film?

I caught this hilarious film at the East Lansing Film Festival and it was my favorite of the festival.

The very vivacious Dee Dee frequently goes on wild adventures, living her life to fullest. But when her millionaire father can no longer handle her crazy antics he cuts her off from his fortune. Forced to manage for herself, Dee Dee still manages to be her same spirited self.

This movie is always entertaining. When the first scene started I laughed out loud and as the rest of the movie played the laughter never stopped. Lisa Ann Walter is perfectly cast as the title character. All of her lines are hilariously delivered, it's impossible not to love her. Mason Gamble is also wonderful as Christopher, Dee Dee's gay son who hesitantly accompanies her on the many escapades. Along with Dee Dee and Christopher, the family helper Yugo, also hilariously played by J.P. Manoux, joins the two as well. And Kurtwood Smith does a marvelous job as William Rutherford, Dee Dee's father, it really is a nice performance that helps make the film work.

What I love about the film is how charming and amusing it is. There are so many little touches throughout the film, it's fun to spot all the small jokes while huge jokes are taking place. And the film flows so nicely, though the story has been told before, the characters are so well written and they all have such great qualities, it's a different experience.

Written and directed by Meiners, it's a lovely film that everyone will enjoy. It's the hunt and the kill baby and I'm glad I hunted down this film.

I had an unexpected opportunity to view this movie at the Savannah (GA) Film Festival in November 2006. I was in town for the weekend (the fest was a bonus) and had no advance information about the film, no preconceptions. It was great!! Rare are the films that produce genuine, spontaneous laughter and evoke delighted surprise. The film's characters were engaging; the story carried one through the ups and downs of predictable relationships and unexpected responses. I'm actually amazed, as I write this, that so many of the scenes come (happily) to mind--it made that kind of impression. The cinematic qualities were excellent (all the framing, angles, light, settings, etc., which are most obvious when done poorly and transparent when done well). I do so hope this film will be released.