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Neo Ned (2005)

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21 comments in total

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9 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
If I was a film distributer, this film would be in all theaters NOW, 6 April 2006

Author: stuff4parks from US

I just saw this at the AIFF (Ashland Independent Film Festival) and all I can say it WOW! Jeremy Renner should get an academy award for this role. All the actors were great but Jeremy's performance was beyond outstanding. Apparently, this film is still awaiting distributors to get it out into theaters. Maybe all of us who have seen it should pool our resources, open a film distribution company, and buy it and market it ourselves! It was very well received today in Ashland Oregon and the spectators were glad to have a Q&A session with the director. He did state that the film had been very well received in each location that it screened with only a few folks walking out before the finish. To those who walked out, you really missed out.

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10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
A Neo Nazi Skinhead falls deeply in love with an African American woman, 10 May 2005

Author: yvillalobos from United States

I had the opportunity to see this film at the Tribecca Film Fest. This is a winner. The movie is a little shocking,its funny and its sad with a bittersweet ending all rolled in one. The acting is awesome. This is truly Jeremy Renners best! I had seen him in Dalmer,which I thought he was great,but his performance as Ned is much more explosive. When a Neo Nazi skinhead can bring a tear to your eye you know its good. Gabrial Union's character is a deeply misunderstood young woman who comes across very believable on screen. I later learned during the Q&A session,after the movie, that Gabrial is in fact a rape survivor. She stated that she was able to relate to her character through her own life experiences. She brings great depth and her own natural beauty to the film. Her inner strength really shines in this movie. Sally Kirkland (a true Hollywood legend) brings her enormous presence to the screen as Neds Mother. A role in which she is able to show how truly talented and funny she is. There is lots of great acting in this film. I love this movie because it shows how two people from very different worlds manage to fall in love ,while discovering what they really need in life to be happy. I hope to see this film on the big screen soon.

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11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
The State of the (Gabrielle) Union, 1 May 2005

Author: lineman3 from Brooklyn, New York

On paper it sounds pretty far-fetched: neo nazi skinhead falls in love with a black girl in a mental institution - who may or may not think she is possessed by Hitler's ghost. Wow. But somehow it works. There is a surprisingly healthy dose of and humor - and heart - which makes this story palatable and involving, rather than just unrelentingly grim. The actors are sturdy throughout - Gabrielle Union proves she's not such a pretty face - I wish Hollywood would take better advantage of her; she is an actress of depth and true beauty. Jeremy Renner proves that his work in "Dahmer" (rather than in mainstream fare like, say, "S.W.A.T.") was no fluke. He is amazing. When Sally Kirkland gets a role of substance, as she does here, it becomes clear why she's been kicking around Hollywood for so long. She's terrific. Good work also by Steve Railsback and Cary Elwes. The budget on this one is low, but it is more involving and entertaining than a lot of other stuff that's playing in the multiplexes. 8/10.

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11 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
Just watched it at Tribeca Festival and....., 22 April 2005

Author: Theavata from United States

I really enjoyed it! I saw Mrs. Union sitting a few rows in front of me before the films started and not knowing who she was, made a mental note to try and talk to her after the film (Once the film started and I saw she was one of the leads I decided to abandon that idea! :))

But back to the film, let's start with the end, it actually brought an emotional tear to my eye and although at least part of the ending is predictable I found the other part of the ending a nice surprise. Both lead were great, the guys who plays Ned was awesome, great character, great acting. It must be had to act as someone who is supposed to be acting a part, and still let the true inside person shine through. Ms. Union's part was more subdued, but just as well played; she was a Martin to his Lewis, giving the viewers a person who was easier to relate to.

A fine film! I hope it gets the release it dissevers.

One last note. One guy in the audience was "disturbed" by the use of race in the film, he thought it was treated too lightly, but I feel race in this film was more like window dressing; it was a means to an end. This film is not about a white neo Nazi and an emotionally disturbed black woman (well I guess it is on the surface); it's really about two dysfunctional people who try to help each other like GARDEN STATE. But Neo Ned works better than Garden State and has almost as good a soundtrack.

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Renner Rules & Union Scores, 31 July 2005

Author: nynylyly from United States

This is the best work I have seen Jeremy Renner do. I didn't think he could top his performance in "Dahmer" but this performance is even more exceptional - powerful, humane and heartbreaking. Gabrielle Union who plays opposite Renner's "Ned," is equally good, and it as much her character's story as it is Ned's. I don't want to reveal any "spoilers" but suffice to say, this is an unpredictable movie with a lot of unexpected surprises. I hope this film gets a bigger release, as it is really a movie that might change peoples' minds about prejudice and how love can heal the most wounded of hearts. And it's a good example of how an independent movie with a low budget can outshine a summer full of cookie cutter blockbusters. This film isn't perfect but there is an earnestness that is refreshing. It's an uncynical piece of work. Kind of rare in Hollywood.

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8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Gritty love story of two misfits, 1 May 2005
Author: fmg05 from United States

I was able to see this film at the Tribeca Film Festival last week and walked away incredibly impressed with Jeremy Renner. I'd seen him in Dahmer so expected another good performance, but was truly blown away. The Village Voice compared his performance to DeNiro's in Taxi Driver and I can see why. Gabrielle Union was also good - this film is nothing like her previous work. I admire her for playing this part and also for defending her decision to do so. I think the director Van Fischer should be commended for spotting this interesting screenplay, having the vision to create such a compelling story of love, and being able to make it actually happen. If you like quirky romances, this film will satisfy you and then some.

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Film, 8 April 2006

Author: dooder_ from United States

I just saw this movie at the Ashland Independent Film Festival and it was amazing. The acting was top notch, the script great, the story interesting and compelling. It was absolutely hilarious and heartwarming, while maintaining that rare sense of reality. It was all around a good quality movie. Don't let the scary and twisted plot outline throw you off, the movie is about so much more. Gabrielle Union and Jeremy Renner had great chemistry on screen and they both did well in their respected roles. I would highly recommend this film to anyone and I would love to see it hit theaters nationwide. The rest of the audience I saw it with enjoyed it as much as I did. Afterward there was a Q&A session with Van Fischer the director, one of the producers and one of the actresses, it was pretty awesome. again, highly recommend, go see it when it comes near you, you wont be disappointed.

-Dooder

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6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Renner's a genius, 23 April 2006

Author: dominic-56 from San Diego, California

Tim Boughn's script for "Neo Ned" won Slamdance's screen writing award, and after four years of mostly looking for money, Van Fischer has directed an enchanting – yes, enchanting – film about a Neo-Nazi's romance at a mental hospital with a black woman who thinks she's Hitler. Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle Union give us terrific performances. Renner took a goofy, naive, offbeat approach to this violent character, and Union underplays to great affect. The movie has attracted distributors whose superiors are squeamish about finding an audience. The filmmakers are building their case, though, by winning audience awards left and right. Interestingly, they've also realized they need to give a better, truer feel for their film in festival programs, which have been frightening people off with the Neo-Nazi photo and language. Post on this message board to let distributors know of your interest.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Captivating, Jeremy & Gabrielle Give Career-Bests!, 2 October 2006

Author: coolinout1 from United States

This film played here for the San Diego film festival this weekend (it later moves to an L.A. one, allowing it to qualify for the Independent Spirit Awards). My thoughts...THIS IS THE BEST FILM I'VE SEEN THIS YEAR!

MY REVIEW: Before walking into the film, I didn't know what to expect. After all, it WAS about a Neo Nazi falling for a black woman who believes she's Adolf Hitler reincarnated. But right from the start, you fall for the two leading characters. There's the indie factor (in terms of video quality) but it suits the film just fine. It's not a big budget film, nor was it supposed to be; its focus is in telling the story, raw and heartfelt.

Now, I ABSOLUTELY loved this film. It's got to be the best film I've seen this year (and trust me, I've seen plenty award-worthy ones so far). The performances are just simply amazing, sincere, and captivating. Both Jeremy (Renner) and Gabrielle (Union) deserve some kind of awards, if not Oscar nods. Unfortunately, I doubt that'll happen not unless this film manages to gain a distributer (which in the past 2 years it's attempted to, but the 'what demographic do we market this to?' question blocks that goal). But seriously, these two (and the film) deserve so many awards.

Jeremy as Ned, expresses this kind of vulnerability that's hidden beneath his gritty, rude & disruptive character, and that just shocks you in seeing that you fall for this type of character (because you know Nazi's don't say nice things). For Gabrielle, she perhaps does the best dramatic performance of her career. I'm surprised at how she was able to do the film, especially since her character suffered a past incident (rape, which she also has experienced in real life) that hinders her emotional state. It's just unbelievable at how much depth both actors were able to inhibit into their characters, particularly in two standout scenes. The film's pivotal scene that sets their relationship into gear is touchingly done, with my mind remembering how Halle Berry won her Oscar for "Monster's Ball". In addition, the second standout scene is towards the end, and it's just a turning point that you didn't expect to turn into something heartbreaking.

In all, the director did such a great job in filming the scenes and getting the best performances out of everyone (including Sally Kirkland as Jeremy's mom, and Eddie Kaye Thomas as a hospital patient). I just wish more people could see this film, preferably not just on DVD or cable, but in the theatrical experience; with an audience that laughs and cries throughout the film with you.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Neo Ned is an INCREDIBLE FILM!, 21 April 2006

Author: Becky Baumgartner from United States

I just saw Neo Ned at the Newport Beach Film Festival. I had no idea what the movie would be about before I went in, I had heard it was something about Nazis. But as soon as the character of Ned hit the screen, I was captivated! The acting is awesome, and the story is simple and unique. PLEASE SEE THIS FILM. I walked out of the theater wanting to buy a copy of it on DVD. IT NEEDS TO BE DISTRIBUTED.

The director was at the event and he spoke of how they need to establish their audience so that distributors will attach themselves to the project. Definitely go see this film and become a part of the ever growing fan base. He mentioned that every time they screen the film, they get great responses. But those good responses don't mean for the filmmaker much unless they lead to distribution deals. Please support these guys. They make great movies.

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