Mother's Red Dress

I was highly impressed with the quality of the this film. It has the look of mainstream work and I am sure that was no easy task without a mainstream budget. The story is touching, shocking, and dark at times. The acting and directing compliment the writing perfectly. I felt like I had been to that coffee shop and could be friends with any of them. Since it is an Independent film, I think there was more freedom to examine the darker sides that a mainstream film might skim or pretty up a bit to be appealing to more general audiences. Because of that freedom, you end up with a film that is much more real, much easier to identify with, and something that draws you in like a great novel. -- Teeco71

I have to say, after just finishing this film, that the writer/director Edgar Bravo should surely have a chance to do whatever he wishes for a follow up with the biggest name stars he can get. I see a fine future ahead for this man in drama related film. Awards are sure to follow him should he decide to continue his film making. I sure hope he does.

Mother's Red Dress is the story of a young man who has had a rough childhood, and whose mother has had to do horrible things to ensure the boy's safety. Paul (Timothy Driscoll), suffers from a sort of amnesia now, as he seems to remember his past, but not the specifics of it. He leaves his mother after her deadly encounter with an abusive boyfriend and ends up in a small town in southern California. There he meets Ashley (Alexandra Swarens), working with her friend in a coffee shop. Paul is inspired by Ashley to try and piece his life back together again. After receiving a call from his mother informing him that she has cancer, and another call from his father wanting to make amends for not being there during his childhood, Paul returns home to face his past, and his future, and the terrible truth that what he thought was real may not be reality.

This film had its meaty hooks into me pretty much from the opening credits. Writer/Director Edgar Bravo surprised me by filling out his whole film with engaging and complex characters. No one is wasted in the film, and there are no loose ends at the finale. There does seem to be an opening left for a sequel if the director desires it, but at the same time the open-ended feeling at the films climax almost seems to be a fitting end for this type of film, and the way the story was handled.

Now, if you're looking for a feel good story, happiness or an ending gift wrapped and handed to you, this is going to be a disappointing film. The tagline states "A Tragic Love Story", and they're not messing around about that fact. A lot of what transpires in the film feels like a mood piece, and at other times, the daily hum-drum grind of regular life. The film gives no promises to look forward to (other than a glimpse of hope near the films end), and pulls no punches when it comes to telling us about the story of a tragic life. The best thing this film does is to draw you in to the characters lives, and makes you feel for them. You feel some emotion for most every character in the film. You have to invest something to get the full appreciation of what is being told by the film maker. Truly good movies do that to us.

As far as the DVD presentation, the film is shot in widescreen format, and the film itself looks nice. It may have been shot on video, but doesn't really look like it, which is always a plus for me personally. The extras consist of a behind the scenes feature, and a cast feature. Grab a copy now, and enjoy a great director in the making.

I am a product of a broken home, survivor of child abuse, and can honestly say this movie addressed the issue with sensitivity and style. I didn't feel like the issues were used as a way to make the movie more interesting or exciting... The characters are real, and dealing with real issues...and there is no sense of hopelessness due to their baggage. The numbers of people raised in dysfunctional homes is staggering but no one wants to talk about it due to perception...Mother's Red Dress is a step in the right direction in dealing with the reality of mental health problems, substance abuse, family dysfunction, and the fallout. This world is filled with survivors of abuse and dysfunction movies like this will help change the perception of the general public. Bravo!

A huge THANK YOU to producer John Paul Rice & writer/director Edgar Michael Bravo for giving me the opportunity to watch "Mother's Red Dress" before the premiere! I was actually deeply impressed & fascinated much more than I could ever imagine. From the first minute I saw the film,I was "caught". Mother's Red Dress is an extraordinary feature, very touching & moving & I felt as if I was part of the story! I could absolutely identify with the characters, feeling what they feel...suffering with them, waiting for a satisfying solution of the problems. The acting is perfect, all actors touched me emotionally but my favorite character of this film actually is "Brenda" ( Amanda Rogers), who's playing this role in a way that is stunning.

Not a single minute of the feature is boring, you suffer with the characters and you immediately start thinking about the social issue of the story which actually is sad & painful to think about.

I can highly recommend "Mother's Red Dress", the story is GREAT and the performance outstanding and the editing & soundtrack fit perfectly! Director,producer & actors did a fabulous job and the fascination for this feature will last for a long time. If you leave the movie theater, you take something with you.I started to think about what's happening around us every day and I felt helpless and lost. The emotional aspect is huge and combined with excellent music you will probably leave the movie with tears in your eyes! ( I did ) Watch this film ..... and enjoy!

"Mother's Red Dress" is the story of a young man with a dark secret. The film sucks you into its intensity...you know that something terrible has happened, but the facts are not clear until they slowly reveal themselves, peeling back in layers like an onion. I found the characters entertaining - particularly the quirky cookie-making friend of the ingénue, who kept the story from getting too intense, while adding some humor to it. With a minimal budget, cast, crew and locations, No Restrictions Entertainment has succeeded in making a movie that entertains and even enthralls! I'm looking forward to their next project.