I Melt with You

Late last year, I had the chance to preview a little film titled "I Melt With You." It's an ensemble drama featuring Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, Thomas Jane and Christian MacKay. This film opened in the thick of the Holiday Movie Season.

If your idea of a holiday movie treat leans toward the likes of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" or "Arthur Christmas" or "The Muppets," this film is NOT for you. If your idea of a holiday movie treat leans toward the likes of "Mission Impossible…" or "Sherlock Holmes…" then this film is NOT for you. Quite frankly, after watching it twice, I'm really not sure just who the hell this film is for - and that is not a criticism of the film. It is a strongly acted, strongly directed film that sucks you in and doesn't let go.

Every year, four "forty-something" college friends leave their careers and families behind to gather in a sort of mini-reunion where they live the weekend as if they were back in school - lots of sex, TONS of drugs, and the obligatory (punk) rock and roll. This year, however, things will be different.

And it's at this point, I must stop. To reveal anymore would lessen the film's impact on the viewer. The trailer gives you enough backstory (actually, a little too much) to make a synopsis from me redundant.

This film has polarized audiences throughout the festival circuit. Reactions to the film have been strong and deep felt - both positive and negative.

Bottom line - Is this a good film? Yes, I think it is. As I said - it's strongly acted, strongly directed, energetically edited and dynamically scored. Is it a pleasant film? Absolutely not. This is a tough film – a very tough film. Tough to watch, tough to listen to, tough to think about, and tough to let go of after it's over.

A film as powerful as it is disturbing, I Melt With You is for those of us who loved "requiem for a dream," "old boy," "irreversible," and "eraserhead" for their darker truths. The four anti heroes here are the people we know if we open our eyes and look around. Intentionally bleak, it takes a cold look at a group of men who have made bad choices in their lives and come face to face with them. Not everyone is honest enough to admit the vast difference between who they said they would be and what they actually became. These characters are. And what makes I Melt With You even more disturbing is the backdrop of Big Sur. It is the ugliness of living set against the power and beauty of nature. I found this movie incredibly moving and original, but, like the movies above, it is not for everyone. Oh, the soundtrack is the best I've heard in years.

I guess a case could be made for the very specific demographic aim of this movie: 40 plus and male - oh, and if you have done a fair share of drugs? Bulls Eye!

Listen, this IS a good movie. A downer, for sure. Nothing happy-go-lucky to see here.

But you WILL have to have lived a bit to get its qualities.

Millennials, who's greatest movie experience is what ever Super hero movie is currently playing, need not apply.

Bonus: A killer soundtrack - maybe the best ever in a movie.

I have just watched this film and i am blown away on every level. I think it is so real it is untrue. I would have paid 10 dollars. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but i think it delivers, disturbs and makes you think about all kinds of stuff good and bad. I have read some other reviews and cannot for the life of me understand how negative some reviews are, It is only a film after all. In my opinion a brilliant film that will become a real cult film in time. I loved the camera use effects etc , very real , comes with a great cast and soundtrack also , I don't think the actors could have performed any better. Very convincing, I will recommend this film to all of my friends as a real life situation tonic. Brilliant. The best film i have seen in many years.

I watched this movie the other night and I found it to be pretty good. It was not your average movie so Im thinking thats why it got such low reviews. People go into it thinking its a Hollywood blockbuster and their surprised by the indy film feel to it.

This is about 4 lifelong friends who meet up and spend a week together just like they do every year. They get a ton of alcohol and a ton of drugs and party hard for a week. Life is all good for the first couple days but a tragic loss shakes everything up and they all go in a downward spiral.

I thought this movie was intense. It was entertaining, funny and sad. It was an emotional ride of a movie and I suggest everyone watch it.