Lovers, Liars and Lunatics

Amber has done it again! L, L and L is brilliant! Funny, evocative, clever and compelling... it really defines what is best about independent film making!

Michael Muhney and Christine Estabrook have particularly standout roles. Michael does a wonderful job of making a character who could be a mere caricature both appealing and fully developed. Christine brings poignancy and wry humor to her role as well. Really, there isn't a weak link in the cast; even James Leary, in a brief bit as a policeman, is funny and watchable!

I just wish it had gotten a wider distribution so that more people could enjoy it, but trust me when I tell you that if you buy, borrow or steal Lovers, Liars and Lunatics it will be well worth your while!

This darkly funny, expertly executed comedy proves there's no sophomore slump for Amber Benson's writer/producer/directorial abilities. Christine Estabrook's performance as Elaine is nothing short of AMAZING. This movie puts the fun in dysfunctional. You've got a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional burglars...even dysfunctional law enforcement! You start laughing early on and never stop thinking. Amber does a great turn as Justine, the adorably bungling burglar with a heart of gold.

The orchestral score is sublime...the icing on an already deliciously yummy cake. This movie is an amazing piece of art. Anyone who has grown weary of some of the drivel Hollywood has been mass producing lately will find this movie experience a breath of fresh air.

Watch it today with someone you love...or hate.

This is a well-balanced, carefully timed farce, with tragedy waiting in the wings. The casting has been done with care, and the warring family at the centre are very believable. Amber has written a story that shows her left-field imagination at its best, and as a director shows that she can handle a full crew as well as anyone. Her editing produces a pace that is well-balanced and pulls you into the story before racing you along. Amber's role is another tough one to pull off successfully because the character is not driving the situation. For me this is when you see an actor at their best. As the bullied and abused side-kick Amber is painfully convincing: at times you'll feel like comforting her, or kicking the boyfriend's butt. Independent movies are hard to finance, and Amber has worked like a Trojan to raise the funds for a full crew, and production schedule, even getting money from her fans. Not only does Amber write, direct, edit, produce and star, she also sticks the labels on the envelopes when you buy the DVD. This is an A+ effort and I look forward to seeing Amber Benson's mainstream directorial debut in the near future.

I saw this film in May 2005 at what I think was the first ever screening of this film. At that point all filming had been completed but there was no music in the background and still had the timer on at the bottom but that aside this film was awesome. The casting was just right and as Marc Cherry said on the DVD of Desperate housewives Season 1, Christine Estabrook plays passive aggressive wonderfully. Amber was once again wonderful (is she ever not) and it was a delight to see James Leary once again as one of the police officers. The film was just hilarious and for all the right reasons as well. It wasn't funny cause it was terrible but because of the script and the way the actors acted it out. I only have one fault with the film (which I won't say now as it's a fairly large spoiler) which I talked to Amber about at the end of the film and don't feel so bad about because it was merely coincidence.

So to end this review, if you're a massive amberholic like myself then I think it would be a crime not to see it. It's one of her best pieces yet and don't get me wrong I loved chance but I loved this far more. If you're not so much an amberholic then I still say to go and see it because it's just so funny and has so many talented people in it.