Smalltimore

I don't know what festival the other person commenting went to, but the one I saw "Smalltimore" at (Indie Fest USA 2009) awarded Jeannie the Best Director award, and it was well-deserved.

For a first feature, this is particularly exceptional. But regardless, it's a well written and well made film with a lot of humor and some touching moments. There were times when I thought the pacing lagged, but then it would pick up again. And I never felt bored.

The central characters were likable and entertaining. The acting was sometimes a bit rough, as it is in nearly every indie film I've ever seen that doesn't have a budget in the millions, but was generally good. Overall, I came out of the film showing with a very positive impression. I thought it was one of the best films I saw during the week of showings.

Production values were OK, but overall it was just clunky, poorly-paced and really amateur feeling. These filmmakers obviously skipped the class in film school where they taught the "show, don't tell" lesson.

There's very little chemistry between any of the characters and the delivery of lines is bad, although it could be more the fault of bad writing than a lack of acting skill. Plenty of gratuitous expletives (to which I am never opposed if used appropriately and with purpose, instead of out of laziness on the writer's part). It's far too long and the whole movie felt quite self-indulgent, especially after the RIDICULOUSLY long credits and bloopers at the end.

Honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of there and I'm not exactly sure how this made it into the festival, as the other films playing that day were quite good.