The Trouble with Dee Dee

A must see comedy that will have you shocked and laughing all at once. Lisa Ann Walter as Dee Dee Rutherford is absolutely outrageous and audacious. She takes us through the restrictive obstacles of modern living e.g. driving within the speed limits-and her responses are an imaginative spin on normal acceptable behavior. Things get a bit tough on Dee Dee when her father retires and decides it is mano a womano with his daughter. Her father, like old King Lear, strips his only daughter of everything, food, money, shelter until she decides to live according to daddy's rules. Dee Dee cannot and will not be tamed. with hardly a shrug she says okay, fine. I don't need it anyway. And she doesn't. a rollicking and tender hearted ending ensues wherein DeeDee reunites everyone by giving them a bit of what they want from her. Ms Walter deedeelightfully carries the day in this feature.

Why can't all comedies be this good? I loved this film. Lisa Ann Walter gives an amazing performance -- her "Dee Dee" is completely charismatic: brash, blissfully un-self-conscious, irrepressible, warm-hearted, stubborn, sassy and hilarious. Kurtwood Smith as her father is the perfect foil for her: the two of them are like oil and water. It is obvious from the beginning that neither character truly "gets" the other--and isn't that true of most parent/child relationships? Through all of the film's kooky twists and turns, Mike Meiners' deft hand at the camera and his right-on-the-money script carry us along with Dee Dee and her father as they develop a real understanding of themselves and of each other. By the end of the film, after laughs galore and several very poignant scenes too, father and daughter have forged a connection they never had before. The film yields up so many comedic gems: the director's own turn as the persistent cop who is increasingly frustrated by Dee Dee is one of my favorites of these -- as is J.P. Manoux's hilarious turn as Dee Dee's ever-faithful "help," Yugo, and Mason Gamble as Dee Dee's gay son Christopher, who does "get" his mother and in a great bit of role-reversal often finds himself having to act as the parent figure in their relationship. The soundtrack is wonderful -- quirky and evocative without being intrusive. Mike Meiners displays a profound understanding of the misunderstandings that can plague parents and their children and tells his story with humor and with heart. For a first full-length feature film, this work is impressive indeed. I look forward to Meiners' next project!

I caught this at the Idaho Panhandle International Film Festival Wednesday, and it was very enjoyable. What is said in another review to be cliché for the ending is absolutely wrong, in my opinion, the ending is very poignient, and overall the film is just good fun. Many of the ladies I was with found it fun, although because Walter's character Dee Dee is so well played, two of our group were really turned off by Dee Dee because they were personally somewhat like the character. Interesting. Sunday this film wasn't selected for Best of Fest, and I complained! Sounds like I wasn't the only one who did because they are going to play it in Spokane for Best of Fest! Anyway see this film if you can, its a good old fashioned fun comedy with some heart.

I had an unexpected opportunity to view this movie at the Savannah (GA) Film Festival in November 2006. I was in town for the weekend (the fest was a bonus) and had no advance information about the film, no preconceptions. It was great!! Rare are the films that produce genuine, spontaneous laughter and evoke delighted surprise. The film's characters were engaging; the story carried one through the ups and downs of predictable relationships and unexpected responses. I'm actually amazed, as I write this, that so many of the scenes come (happily) to mind--it made that kind of impression. The cinematic qualities were excellent (all the framing, angles, light, settings, etc., which are most obvious when done poorly and transparent when done well). I do so hope this film will be released.

This movie is a riot - we were lucky enough to see it at the Chicago International Film Festival and the entire audience laughed out loud throughout the film. Lisa Ann Walter (playing Dee Dee) is a comic genius: She brings so much dimension to the character. Dee is crazy, lovable, annoying and courageous all at once. She's so "out there" that you just can't help but root for her. Kurtwood Smith gives a powerful performance as Dee Dee's father. The scene in his painting studio/office where he "loses it" was superb; and the one in the hospital with his loyal assistant Stuart (played by Jeff Clampitt)is great also. The rest of the cast is excellent too. Keep a watch out for J.P. Manoux, because he is going places for sure. This is Mike Meiners' first full feature movie, but it does not show at all. The directing, editing, etc. is top-notch, and the soundtrack is awesome. I really hope others get to see this film - it is laugh-out-loud-funny. Mike Meiners' full-feature debut is a hit.