The Lather Effect

Despite a rebellious beginning, the movie offered nothing original in film-making. An 80's version of "The Big Chill", but going back to a vapid teen nostalgia? Not worth telling. Even having an off-screen character named Lex was a more rip-off than nod. It didn't help that the soundtrack overlapped in several places with "Gross Pointe Blank", a far superior 80's nostalgia film.

Unconvincingly conceived and unconvincingly portrayed (least hung-over looking group of 30-somethings ever). The characters' biggest regrets were ending up in the wrong fantastic relationship? Too pat, too clean, no point.

Caught this movie at the St. Louis International Film Festival, and loved it! The cast was great with Eric Stolz giving the best performance in my opinion. The movie starts the day after a big blow out party. Our core group of friends are facing the task of cleaning up the house and revisiting all the highlights from the night before. I'm sure it may hit home with people in their mid thirties - am I where (or with whom) I should be? What would my life have been like if past events happened differently? In the end we realize that sometimes you have to revisit the past in order to appreciate your present and move on to your future. The director was at the festival and was great with the Q&A after the screening. I hope this movie will get picked up for a wider release. Good Luck!

This movie inevitably will be compared with The Big Chill, and that's okay. The Lather Effect is funny and poignant, and explores a lot of themes that are common to most people in their thirties regardless of when they grew up. I saw it when it played at South by Southwest, where it was well-received by the audience, who laughed and cheered in all the right places.

Valinda (Friday Night Light's Connie Britton) throws one last "rager" at her parents' house on the weekend before it is to be sold. The party's theme was "Come As You Were," so everyone was dressed in Eighties costumes, but along with their memories they also brought their unresolved issues from their teen years, as well as their adult fears about the future. On the morning after the party, the house is a huge mess that Valinda and her circle of friends have to clean up. In the process, long-buried secrets are revealed and old wounds are opened. The characters begin to come to terms with how their pasts affected the present, and contemplate the future.

The cast is excellent. Connie Britton carries the movie well, and Eric Stoltz steals many scenes as the slightly-older guy who used to crash every party when they were teens, in what feels like a reprisal of his cameo in Say Anything (minus the chicken suit). The soundtrack is great as well -- when can I buy the CD?

I accidentally stumbled upon this movie and must say I enjoyed it so much more than expected. (The DVD title is 'One More Night', and I only later found out it was released as 'The Lather Effect'. Interestingly enough, I couldn't find any record of this movie being released as 'One More Night'.)

After a wild party, a handful of guests who stayed over wakes up in different stages of hangover. The house belongs to Valinda (Connie Britton), who is selling the house and must get it cleaned up for a viewing. Her husband Will (Tate Donovan), who couldn't be at the party, arrives to find the house in a mess, but he is a wonderful, understanding and very optimistic guy - and even helps with the clean-up. The guests decide to stay one more night reminiscing the past.

However, this night would reveal many secrets about some of the characters - some funny and some with disastrous results. I enjoyed the different characters and was impressed by the fantastic performances from the entire cast. Every actor portrayed their character so well, it was convincing and relatable. It was so natural as if I was at the party observing them, instead of watching them on a movie screen.

'The Lather Effect' dishes up humour and drama almost in equal proportions. This is a film that will make you laugh, and gasp. There are shock twists and seriously funny moments, and the film handles every aspect so incredibly well. The script is very good, and the director did a great job. The film has a distinct 80s feel. And oh, what a satisfying ending! This is just an absolutely wonderful movie. I love it!!

Saw this movie at the Sonoma Film Festival and it was really funny. Went with a group of friends of all ages and everyone was laughing out loud. Not to mention the soundtrack is really good. Have told so many of my friends about this movie. They can't wait for it to be released so they can see it first hand. It is a kind of Big Chill for all of us who grew up in the 80's. It takes you right back to High School. It also deals with the issue of growing up and moving on and getting older. This seemed to strike a chord in everyone. It is the reason, within our group, that everyone found amusement in this film. No matter what age, if you have a chance to see this film, do yourself a favor and go. You will be in a good mood for the rest of the day.