Kimberly

In the fall of 1998, in Philadelphia, we started production on a $2mil film that created a new Murphy's Law - "The Kimberly Effect". Things went wrong due to the general ineptness,politely called inexperience, of an odd crew led by the usual Los Angeles cast of meglomaniacal above the line people. This was particularly amusing because if they weren't Europeans, they were Isralis - how do they learn a second language, figure out who to "lunch" with and become the aspiring arbitrars of American pop culture? The only answer - the Kimberly Effect. Last month I got to see this film projected at the Houston International Film Festival, introduced by director Frederic Golchan, who walked right by me 4 or 5 times without recognition, even though in Philadelphia he gave me champagne. Product placement, but champagne none the less. He was busy being schmoozed by the festival folks, so I did not bother him. Amazingly, this picture was sweet and funny and made Philadelphia look beautiful - no small feat. Gabrielle Anwar and Chris Rydell had great chemistry, and people laughed in all the right places. A model turned actor was the only weak link in the cast, and he's so attractive no one else at the theatre seemed to notice. The music was lovely, and all in all, it was a pleasant bit of entertainment. I kept waiting for the film to break, the theatre to burn, the popcorn to spill, but nothing happened. The Kimberly Effect was over. I hope they sell the movie.

On another level "Kimberly" explores the actual idea of simultaneous multiple partner relationships, and seeks to peek below some taboos. That's cool. But it doesn't go at all deep. It's all formulaic female wish fulfillment -- commit through competition, one full man out of four -- and no real dynamics or exploration of motivations, true drives, and what can work, and can't, for any period of time.

Meanwhile the prevailing social climate is framed by the most virile, intelligent and attractive of the four guys announcing to the college class he is teaching that it is a new age, a new dawn between the sexes, with independent women, and dependent men. Interestingly, and tellingly, he turns out to not be "the one". Probably because he wouldn't work as the dependent. Not really. But he can announce and appear to submit to the principal.

Ah yes. That's the chick's movie crowd pleasing, "original", "cleaver" theme of this shallow romantic farce.

I'm all for looking underneath taboos and social norms, and finding out what's really there, or needs to be there. I'm all for accepting diversity; for letting people do their own thing.

Just one question though. Would any of you care to name the American film of the last decade and a half or more, where a man is in a similar position -- with three or four different women at the same time? That is, where that is celebrated, as the reverse is here in "Kimberly", rather than reviled. All of whom came to know about each other, and remained or became fast friends, though not without rivalries for the top edge of affection from the irresistibly man. You know, where as in "Kimberly" he loves each of the two or three or four women really and truly for their different and unique personal qualities and looks, but doesn't want to give any of them up. And where the whole thing is treated as, if not for everyone, still intriguing, adorable, interesting, and heartwarming.

I'll give you a clue. It doesn't exist. Not in the last fifteen years, anyway. Not remotely. On the other hand, films which sympathetically treat or rather celebrate women at the center of several men's competing and then co-existing love interests, well beyond the initial "courtship" or getting to know you stage, are becoming increasingly common. See e.g. "Splendor", released in the same year as Kimberly. It takes the same idea as Kimberly even further. It's also a considerably edgier movie, though still most definitely feminist correct -- or actually, even more so.

This is despite the fact that everyone who knows anything (and isn't a blinkered ideologist) knows that two woman threesomes are a central male fantasy, not just in America but everywhere. (Actually, polygamy has been a reality and not just a fantasy in much of the world through most of history, for more wealthy or high status men.) Exploring how it could work in contemporary American post feminist culture is hardly old had -- it would be ground breaking. Yet where is it? It's the great feminist taboo.

Oh, I can imagine that a two women, one man menage-a-trois set in contemporary American culture could hit the screens soon. But for it to be "avant" or "edgy", one or both women would have to have the clear balance of power -- as Kimberly in the film of that name, and Victoria in Spendor unequivocally do. How, when it's changed to a one man, two or more women situation? Simple, make both women not a little, but predominantly gay. Hey, that could take male emasculation in feminist dominated American media culture to a new level. The one in the center then becomes the bi woman, or both of them on an alternating basis, if neither are dyke, lesbo only types. Something like that does occur for a while in "Slaves of the Underground" (1997), before the lesbian draw wins out completely and the male is left all alone. But hey, he is admired for his lapdog affection for lesbian power.

Anything but having one male in a predominately hetero loving and involved three or more way. THAT would be unthinkable. Shudder. In America that is. In Europe, especially France or Spain, it's a different story.

She is all of 29 as this movie was released but often looks 10 years younger! It's pleasant to see her using her real accent too.

This movie about 'senior' (mature) men's rowing does include some worthwhile details of the sport but most of the time the teams are just idling and Kimberly as coxswain is usually at the point of picking up their pace.

Perhaps less well known is that the competition rowing season does indeed take place in autumn - which means these rowers are going out in November in Philadelphia (about 35-40 degrees in the early morning). Many movies won't want that considered! - but despite being close to the water it's not a spring/summer sport!

Another cute detail - Gabrielle Anwar is probably barely over 100 lbs so I'd wonder why these guys aren't racing 4+1 (4 plus coxswain) instead of 4-man only. The cox is usually team/boat coach anyway and her weight couldn't affect them that much!

I like to have someone to root for,even in a romantic comedy. For the first half of this picture, I didn't have that. The woman was a player, the men were either obnoxious idiots, or disengaged losers, and there was little character development to most of them.

That's why I clicked out of netflix at the halfway point. But I wound up giving it another chance the next day and watched the second half. OK, it redeemed itself. Just barely, but I'll give it some credit.

I liked the concept: Four grown buddies who bond over rowing on the Delware River and find both love and themselves.Philadelphia looked absolutely great, if that's where it was actually filmed.

There were some questionable morality issues, but they resolved themselves for the most part by the end.

Sean Astin was his usual self. Not much of a stretch there. If you like his general routine, you will like him here. (Carefree, blue collar, slovenly, short guy) Gabrielle Anwar is about 7 years past her prime beauty era from Scent of a Woman and For Love or Money. Now she is also speaking in a British accent, which I think is her normal voice. (she played Americans in those other two films) In this film, she is at times wiry, and shows her age in terms of forehead wrinkles and some anguished facial expressions toward the end. Nevertheless, she is appealing, and you can understand why the guys like her.

I liked the last scene very much. Without spoiling it, you see that the men have found their piece of the happiness pie.

Kimberly,, a movie of comedy, love, and hardship. This is a movie that will make you laugh, cry, and get that warm feeling in your heart. The first time I saw it I didn't even get up to go to the bathroom, and I had to go very bad. The movie is not meant for manly men, it is a "chik-flick".But a damn good one! It is one of those films that wants to make you laugh and cry at the same time, with a happy ending that makes you happy. Gabrielle Anwar is an exeptional actor along with the rest of the cast! Girls, this is defineately a movie to go rent!!!!!