All We Had

Katie Holmes directional debut film. Adapted from the novel of the same name. I really had not planned to love it. I thought it was another passing-by film in my life. Surprisingly, it was so much better. I simply loved it. Because anything about life struggle really intrigues me. Especially the struggles of the aging people, women, children themes.

This was about a mother and her teenage daughter. After escaping from her latest boyfriend, they decide to hit the road, travelling randomly. That reminded me 'The Glass Castle'. Their road adventure came to an end at some point, then set a tone similar to 'Safe Haven'. So they end up in a diner. Their lives begin to take shape around it. With so many turns, where the remaining narration heads were told by deciding their fate.

For some people, it was a drama where nothing much happens. But I felt every moment. The life does not just change like turning a coin to the other side. That's the detail, especially the relationship with others were nicely built. The whole story was narrated from the kid's perspective, like how she saw her mother struggling with boyfriends, alcohol and finally finding their own place to call home to lead a normal life.

It was almost a sentimental film. They should have created a more melodic track or borrowed one from the outside for it, because it deserves one. That would have set a tone for the film. It was just like another 'Infinitely Polar Bear', except it was mother-daughter thing. I think families would love such film. This really says that Katie Holmes has potential to be a great director. She also jointly produced it. Believe me. It is a totally underrated film. All I say is, it's a must see. If you listen to the haters, then you're missing out something wonderful!

8.5/10

Katie Holmes, as Rita, and Stefania Owen, as Ruthie, are both excellent in their starring roles here as mother and daughter respectively. with Holmes making her feature film directorial debut as well. This is a dark and gritty drama, at times difficult to watch, as Rita proves to be just an awful mother in so many ways, as she drags Ruthie from town to town, ending one bad relationship with a man only to move onto the next one. Their odyssey comes to at least a temporary halt when Rita's car breaks down and they're forced to establish some roots in a town along the way.

There's really a top notch cast here with Luke Wilson, Richard Kind, Eve Lindley, and Siobhan Fallon all enhancing the film in supporting roles. To note, there's raw and explicit language throughout the movie and some suggestive sexual scenes as well.

Overall, one's rating of this film may hinge on how much the viewer can accept a mother's actions and behavior as part of a dramatic storyline and put one's "judgmental hats" aside. For me, the strong acting, the intensity of the plot elements, and finally the uplifting final parts of the movie made it a fairly decent indie watch.

I liked all the characters. The actors all acted very nicely. I think Katie turned her best performance yet. I wish it could have been longer. It was a mother daughter story and that is who we learned about the most. I loved the combination of actors you wanted to know more because the performances drew you to them. For a first time director Katie seemed to bring out some hidden talent in Mark Consuelos. Stefania LaVie Owen is believable as Katie's daughter. Richard Kind seems to always turn in really nice performance and Eve Lindley was perfect for her role. Luke Wilson's performance was probably why I gave it a 7 . He good but not as good as the others. I liked the music and the location went with the story. The editing seemed to flow I've watched some independent movies were it seemed choppy or timing between scenes was to slow or to fast. I did not get bored. I watched to the end.

A Huge Slice of "Down and Out" Life is what the Directorial Debut of Actress Katie Holmes (who also stars) serves to Enquiring Minds and the Result is an Underrated, Heavily Clichéd, but ultimately Watchable Actor's Showcase.

The Actor's bring to Life some Low-Life but Likable Characters Coalescing around a Struggling Small Town Diner. The Diner is an Island on a Sea that is Experiencing a "Perfect Storm" of Personal, Cultural, and Societal Devastation.

Kathryn Reis is "Sally" the "Sister Looking" Daughter to a Mom (Katie Holmes), a Product of a "Child Services" Upbringing that was given No Tools or Education on the Subject of "Momhood".

Running Scared the Duo Travel from Town to Town Living (barely) on Sheer Survival Skills and Luck. But once Stranded at the Diner and Forced to "Land" for some Repairs (to their car and themselves), They Encounter Counter Intuitive Folks who are Kind and Compassionate.

Richard Kind as "Tiny" the Diner Owner, Eve Lindley (almost steals the show) as Transgender "Peter Pam", get it, and Luke Wilson as a Potential "Knight" to the Rescue, are all Superb in this Drama about the Hopes and Dreams of "Little People" and the Obstacles Obstructing an Easy Path from the "Storm" of Life".

But there are "Lifelines" and "Lifeboats" along the way and the Two may, Perhaps, find a Comforting Port, despite the odds, if They keep Paddling in the Same Direction, Together.

This movie made me smile, giggle, relate, open my eyes, cry, shiver, inspire and so much more. I honestly cant understand why this had a 6 in the imdb rating. All actors are excellent. They are trusting in their character. The story is real and raw. I think alot of people will understand each character a little. And that is beautiful.