American Seagull

Director and screenwriter Michael Guinzberg did a great job of creating a modern image of a Chekov classic. Led by a stealer cast led by Biff McGuire and a few new face Lara Romanoff as the sexy seductress Nina. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Guinzburg creating an interesting view of a love triangle with an upper class Malibu family. Surprising effective sound track of mainly sleek jazz and interesting piano give a special sound to this film. Oleg who played the grandfather was a familiar face who played an interesting but important role. I went to this movie at the request of my girlfriend only to be surprise by an excellent movie.I recommend this movie to those viewers that love a thought provoking film.

You see I was at a Cancun retreat for two weeks in June offered by LARA ROMANOFF FROM nagualyoga.com a life changing experience. There I was mistaken for Robert D$ ero's brother so I played tge part and got treated like loyalty. So I became an avit follower of him. A Reel came to me from his 1991 movie Cape Fear where he is lighthing a cigar in a theater and laughing hysterically. Where did I hear that laugh before. It was me at 2:00 AM watching again HOLLYWOOD SEAGULL by LARA ROMANOFF also from nagualyoga.com . In a scene the mother( Irene) tells her producer boyfriend Perhaps you can make a movie with I and Nina ( Lara Romanoff) as sisters? Trigger says I dont think I am that good ! 😄 That is when I lost it and my De Niro long long laughter like Cape Fear came out. I finally got the movie and its message and debth. Some movies need to be seen again. I must have been on tge moon first time I watched it. Maybe because my focus was on the actress and not tge movie. I identified with Travis who attempted to kill himself three times in the movie but his ball were not big enough. Not only I got tge movie I realized my balls are bigger than Travis.

Must watch before you GO.

As a huge fan of Chekhov, I try to see every adaptation that comes out. This is one of the better attempts at capturing the Russian masterpiece's subtext even after changing the setting to Hollywood. In a role known for being acting legend Uta Hagen's debut, newcomer Lara Romanoff embodies the ingénue Nina flawlessly. Ms. Romanoff also co-wrote and produced the film. Legendary cinematographer Don E. FauntLeRoy brings his usual lensing skills to this small independent film, giving it a depth and palette not usually found in films of this budget level. The rest of the cast (Will Poston, William Biff McGuire, Barbara Williams, Blake Lindsley, Stevie D. White, Jay Laisne, Time Winters, Sal Viscuso, Christopher Callen) do a fine job of portraying Hollywood as a sordid pit of depravity where art is the last thing on anyone's mind.

I took a date to see "Hollywood Seagull" while in Los Angeles last month. She was going for a class assignment on Chekov, who wrote the story to which this movie is taken from. I was expecting a slow drama and instead came across one of the best movies I have seen in years. Maybe its lack of a super lead gave more credibility to this extremely well written film. Written by Michael Guinzburg, who also was making his directorial debut the movie was fascinating and kept me on to the edge of my sit. Lead by a stellar group of actors led by Biff McGuire and a hot Russian actress named Lara Romanoff in the lead as Nina.Other great performances were put in by Oleg Vidov and Barbara Williams and this cast of great actors. It is my understanding that this film will be out in full distribution later this year. It is a must see.

Great independent film. I went to she a time dated movie thinking it was an older story, just to see a modern version of a Chekov classic. It was an excellent drama. Beautiful sets. Great sound track.Very interesting twists. And great acting amongst a bunch of unheard of actors. Actress Lara Romanoff is hot stuff. Excellent actress. I would go see her in any future movie just to see her great sense of emotional acting style. Hip jazz and piano based sound track. Tight screen play. Money well spent. Grandfather role was especially good and well acted. I don't know much about Chekov but I am interested in comparing original story to this film. it was a mind trip.