Self Medicated

This movie was such a nice surprise, so captivating and true. Few movies keep you thinking long after they end. Movies are supposed to entertain and most do so without requiring even one ounce of thought. It's sad that some people prefer movies like that. Thankfully this movie is all about thinking and feeling. This is really a human experience kind of flick. The story is touching and simple, as true things tend to be.

What a wonderful movie this is. I was awestruck at how the life of one person could be so changed after an experience like the one Andrew went through. I won't give away the plot, but suffice it to say that it provides us a chance to think, feel, and hopefully develop a little sympathy.

I must confess a big reason I adored this movie so much is because of Kristina Anapau, who is not only smoking hot in this film, but is absolutely perfect in her role. I also loved Monty Lapica's performance, who totally amazes in this film as well. Fortunately, the twists in this film keep this from being anything close to a formulaic movie. The tension builds steadily. Michael Bowen from Kill Bill makes an excellent bad guy, as always, who you love to hate. And there are several other good supporting roles, especially that of Greg Germann, who I used to watch on Ally McBeal.

I found out that this is the director's first film and I have to say he succeeds with flying colors in creating an original, beautiful, poignant and good natured picture.

This is really such a wonderful movie. It's like a breath of fresh air to see a drama driven by characters rather than by a typical Hollywood plot. The characters think, act and talk like real people. They could be us. That's the genius of this movie. If you want fantasy, don't see this film. If you want to be touched by great acting and a wonderful plot that shows the complexities of human relationship, see this film. This is real. Mixed with wry humor and heartbreaking family drama, this film is an indie triumph. The actors and writing steal the show, which is kind of the point of movies like this anyway. I don't think you ever really notice the writing which is what makes it great. The writer feels like he knows his characters and is able to write them in their many moods and allowing their complexity as humans to remain intact. The cinematography deserves a word in my opinion too. I just loved the color of the movie. I am not sure why but something about the way it looked I just couldn't help but be drawn into watching it. I'm not sure where else this film will be playing as I saw it at a film festival, but if you have the chance, go see it. I loved it and both of my kids loved it too. Well done.

I really enjoyed the hell out of this film. Definitely the best indie movie I can remember seeing in quite a while. Very entertaining with a thoughtful and intelligent script. It was rather dark at times yet there were some very funny and touching moments as well. I laughed out loud in several places. The acting was very solid all around, especially for an indie, which isn't often the case. Diane Venora was awesome. Why in the hell is she not in more movies? Who knows? I loved the music, very ethereal, reminded me of Sigur Ros. There is one scene in this movie that I just cannot get out of my head ever since I saw it, perhaps one of the most powerful single scenes I have ever seen in any movie, indie or otherwise. I'm trying to figure out why it hit me as hard as it did. But I guess I'll have to see this movie again before I decide if it's really as good as I think it might be.

From all the reviews so far, I'm thinking I've stumbled upon a meeting of the Monty Lapica Fan Club.... Meanwhile, there's this film I saw last night with an audience that merely got up and walked out when it finished. And this particular indie theater is the kind of place where audiences easily clap when the credits roll -- unless the film is a dud.

This may not be the worst movie I've seen, but it's no Basketball Diaries. For starters, I commend Lapica for his multiple efforts, but he would have done better to have an actual teenager play the lead. I kept looking at this mid-to-late-20s guy and wondering why he was trying to portray a high school angst-ridden druggie. I don't care how intelligent the character (i.e. Lapine) is, he was just too-- neatly pressed, and too old, to be believed.

The dialog was wooden, the acting either stilted (Lapica and various reprobates) or overblown (Bowen), and the cinematography often washed-out and grainy (and not for effect). I'll give editor Kendall points for good flow and no continuity errors. But he had to work with trailing characters who said their lines and went nowhere -- and a big hole in the form of the pivotal but missing father whose death remained unexplained, and whose memory was as poorly detailed as the home movies that featured him.

There was a homogenized blandness to the proceedings that had me wondering if this project was backed by the Mormons or some other white-bread Christian group.... Despite the profanity, it had a fundamentalist ring to it. As a result, I had to keep focusing my attention consciously instead of being drawn in. The story may be based on actual events, but I had a hard time believing in it because almost everyone was isolated and self-centered. And so I remained unmoved by the plight of a handsome young narcissist who miraculously mends his ways thanks to the homeless black angel "Gabe"(riel), reminiscent of a Bulworth plot device.

All in all, it just goes to show what GQ looks and financial backing will do for a fella (who is this Tommy Bell producer-dude anyway?).... but I'm crashing the party here. Both the film and all the gushing about it smacks of major pretense. In fact, "Self Medicated" almost made me wish I was when I sat through it.