Winding Roads

As a James Marsters fan he was the reason I bought this film but after realising he's not in it that much I really got into the actual story and really enjoyed it. Its a sweet story of love, heartache and the pains of becoming mature and responsible.

I'm not really a lover of Rachel Hunter's acting but I was surprised to learn her character was by far the best and most complex and the writing for her character (as well as the others) was pretty special.

This is the perfect film for a rainy Sunday afternoon particularly if you've experienced any type of loss be it love, a death or that sweet innocent belief of true love and happy ever afters.

For Marsters fans this film is very different to anything you would expect of him and really highlights how talented an actor he truly is.

Somebody get this film a distributor, quick! With James Marsters, Michael Weatherly and Rachel Hunter, the star power alone will drive this movie to success, but even more it's an elegantly produced, realistic drama. Set in a tight-knit community of young people, the "winding roads" of the title describe the surprising twists and turns of their broken hearts, new opportunities and second chances. Beautiful cinematography and excellent performances, especially by Marsters, Bronson and Hunter.

I was on the edge of my seat, close to tears, and that was after only catching the last half of this movie. I'm desperately trying to find a copy of this movie, to watch it from the beginning, and it's hard to find. The dialog was real, the cinematography dark and brilliant, and whether you believe this is a "chick flick," the characters and interplay involved touch on the very heart of the matter - from many aspects that many men will never understand - when it comes to the power of support that comes from friends - especially women - throughout various stages of their lives. That is not something that is developed or created...it just is. The writer has captured the spirit of these women, the truths they must face about the men who love them.

I caught the Winfemme screening of this film in Los Angeles, and was a bit disappointed by it. The performances delivered are solid overall, though a few of the characters just fall flat. Unfortunately there's a few major plot problems I couldn't get over, and some portions did drag with really slow pacing where you're just waiting for something interesting to happen. The actors generally did good jobs, though, and James Marsters in particular delivered a nice performance.

I feel as if I have a duty to the movie viewing community to warn them about this poor excuse for a female-bonding, woman-empowerment film. Cliche laden plot threads and perfunctory acting turn this piece of fluff into a stone clunker. Only James Marsters is at all interesting in his desperate attempt to wring some emotion out of his insipid dialogue. When he's on screen the movie becomes almost good...but not quite. If you're in the mood for a liberating tale of female friendship, rewatch Thelma and Louise. If you're looking for James Marsters sink your teeth into a Buffy the Vampire Slayer rerun. Just don't take a wrong turn down these Winding Roads.