Everlasting

I was able to catch a screening of Everlasting at the Nevermore Film Festival, where it won Jury Award for Best US Feature. In my opinion, it has a little something for nearly everyone. It's at its core a love story, a tale of two misfit star crossed teen lovers. But it's also a mystery and a thriller, with a broad reach - stretching from your average high school classroom to the seedy underbelly of LA's fetish scene, from beautiful, bright fields, to the dimly lit living room of a murderer.

First and foremost, the film is beautifully shot and well written, weaving the story from a mix of video clips (from a school project), memories, and real time episodes. The non-linear and multi-mode fashion could have turned out clunky and awkward, but it moves us quite smoothly to the climax. The intermittent scenes that capture the young couple in nature, as they make their trip from Denver to LA, are some of the most haunting as they seem to capture the true essence of teen love and that feeling of immortality and bravado that accompanies youth, even in the face of undeniable change.

The lead actors are believable in their roles. Valentina de Angelis portrays Jessie as both adventurous and vulnerable, as she is drawn to the dark side of humanity that ultimately leads to her downfall. Adam David as Matt, her estranged boyfriend desperate for closure and driven by a need to preserve Jessie's true nature. A strong cadre of supporting actors round out the story as well.

Possibly the most jarring aspect of the film is its plausibility. This is the type of story we hear on the news. Another lost girl trying to find her way taken too soon. And though some may not find the ending sensational enough, it felt real. These crimes do happen. The victims are blamed and the perpetrators become renowned and celebrated. Everlasting tries to take that victory away from the criminal by focusing on Matt and Jessie, and their story. Watching this film left me sad, but touched, because it is truly successful in making you care about the characters.

Everlasting is a haunting film that had all the ingredients to keep you hooked from the beginning to the end, a well-structured film, expertly structured and edited. Valentina de Angelis and Adam Perez, the lead actors, were credible and sympathetic. Director Anthony Stabley was in total control and had effectively succeeded in blending romance and mystery throughout the film. Everlasting is a well-made independent film that I highly recommend.

I usually don't go for these type of movies...i.e. thriller/horror, but I found this non-linear approach captivating. This film felt disjointed at first, and about 20 minutes in, I couldn't stop watching. The performances and rhythm of this film are pretty good, as well as the story, but I think the story could have been fleshed out a bit more. The boy actor looking for the killer of his girlfriend does a good job portraying the anxiety and tenacity of his character...however, I would have liked to have felt a great intensity. The aesthetics and overall production value of this movie is solid. All in all...worth the watch!

'EVERLASTING': Four Stars (Out of Five)

An indie teen-romance/crime-drama; about a high school filmmaker that's trying to catch his girlfriend's killer. The story is told in real time, mixed with home video flashbacks (filmed by the young director). It was written and directed by sophomore feature filmmaker Anthony Stabley; and it stars Valentina de Angelis, Adam David, Elisabeth Rohm, Michael Massee (in his last film role, before his death), Bai Ling, Pat Healey, Robert LaSardo and Cortney Palm (in a cameo appearance). I found it to be a pretty interesting, and well made little indie flick.

Matt (David) and Jessie (de Angelis) were two misfit high school outcasts, that felt like they were deeply in love. Then Jessie decided she needed to move to Los Angeles, from Colorado, and become a model there. After becoming a small success (in that business), and experiencing society's darker side, Jessie turns up dead (murdered by a serial killer). Matt then decides to travel to L.A., to confront the killer, after he receives a package from him. He documents his experiences, with his camera, along the way.

The movie is surprisingly well made; for a mostly unheard of low- budget little indie flick. It's beautifully filmed, acted and well written (the dialogue mostly seems believable). I especially like Valentina de Angelis in the lead; she's very beautiful, and quite talented. Palm is always a scene-stealer, but her part is too brief, and the veteran actors all do a good job. I think the film has a lot of interesting things to say, and it mostly seems genuine, but it doesn't quite all come together right (by it's ending). I expected a little more, but it is a good watch.

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I was looking for something interesting to watch and found this "indie" movie on Amazon streaming. The IMDb "user reviews" have become a wild, untrustworthy place over the past few years and there are many glowing reviews of this movie. While it is OK it really isn't that good. But interesting enough for an 80-minute viewing.

The kids start off in Colorado where they live and go to high school. Valentina de Angelis is pretty girl Jessie who has hopes of becoming a model. She contacts an agency in L.A. and they are receptive.

Adam Perez (as Adam David) is her boyfriend Matt. While he doesn't really want her to leave town he also wants her to be happy and successful, so they drive together to California.

The meat of the story is Jessie is found murdered and discarded in a Los Angeles ravine only a few months later. The police don't make any progress and Matt becomes determined to solve the mystery, find the killer and bring him or her to justice. He gets a mysterious package with a DV movie tape, he uses these as clues.

The scenes of Jessie and Matt together are mostly interesting. Frankly the middle of the story and its final resolution just don't flow well and the end seems pretty odd to me. But hey, it's an indie movie and for what it is, could have been worse.