Elena Undone is one of the best indie and also lesbian movies i've seen in a long time. the acting by both main actresses was compelling. they had a lot of chemistry even without the love scenes. the other actors did a very good job as well. i'll mention Mary Wells as one of the best and Sabrina Fuster as a newcomer was surprisingly at ease in front of the camera. as for the story it was romantic but also had moments of tension and heartbreak. Nicole Conn, the director and writer was very good at getting all there was to get out of each actor, especially Traci and Necar. i could almost feel what each was going through in the very intense moments. there was also a lot of chemistry though not romantic between Traci and Mary. they really seemed like true friends. over all i'd say this movie should attract many people, more than just the lesbian population. it is first and foremost a love story.
56 Reviews
My Honest Opinion
shellcinsd17 April 2011
To start out I'm going to say that Nicole Conn makes films about romance. If you've seen her other works (not counting the documentary about her son) I think it's clear that she is not going for the more edgy drama or romantic comedy she's trying for and I quote the film "the romance in love." That being said, I think this is her best dramatic feature yet. Budget with independent film, particularly lesbian or gay themed films, is always an issue which is why I think a lot of the time we get films that look like they were shot on a Sony handicam and have lead actors with about as much acting talent as a junior high drama club. I have to applaud the production team for being able to get the caliber of people that they did to make this film. The leads are stunning and have a very natural chemistry between them plus they can act! The camera work is good and the set designs were natural and realistic to the characters. There are other things in the film that aren't particularly noteworthy like the wardrobe and soundtrack but again I think those things are more of a budget thing. Okay yes the story does fall flat in certain spots and the rhythm does seem to shift in the second half of the film and yes there are some flaws in the editing (most of which I only noticed after watching my DVD about 10 times), but overall this is one of the better lesbian themed films out there. Again this film is not going to appeal to everyone, but to me this film does exactly what I think it promises which is to show you the romance in love. Hope this helps.
Wife meets lovely lesbian woman and then . . .
Red-1259 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Elena Undone (2010) was written and directed by Nicole Conn. I consider it a pretty standard wife-meets-lesbian love story. In fact, I'm surprised that the IMDb rating is as high as it is.
Elena (the lovely Necar Zadegan) has been married to a minister for many years. (They have a teenage son.) Something is missing from her marriage, and she's not very happy.
OK--lets examine the plot to this point. Her husband is pretty hypocritical, and succumbs to his parishioners who demand a strong anti-GLBT message from him. (I don't think he believes it, but he preaches it anyway. That's not OK.) But, he loves his wife, is respectful of her, and tries to be attentive to her needs and understanding of her problems. His worse fault, as his son tells him, is that he's "clueless." That's hardly an asset, but not the hideous defect it's made out to be. (Most of his cluelessness is that he doesn't realize his wife is having an affair, because he trusts her so much.) So, we move on.
His wife is attracted to--and falls in love with--Peyton, a lesbian writer, played by Traci Dinwiddie. There's also a guru named Tyler, played by Sam Harris. This role was so bizarre that I couldn't tell if Tyler was a real guru (i.e. don't laugh at him) or was supposed to be the comic relief.
At this point we have a wife in love with a lesbian woman, but she just can't make up her mind. My husband, my lover, my husband, my lover--What should I do? She decides to stay with her husband, but not let him "touch her," thereby remaining true to her lover. This despite a "romantic" vacation in Hawaii with her husband. (Either she did let him "touch her," or else he's the most understanding husband in the U.S.)
I think that what earned the movie its high ratings wasn't the plot, but the exotic beauty of Necar Zadegan. She's more Bollywood beautiful than Hollywood beautiful, but, in any case, you can't take your eyes off her. So, she may be an unfaithful wife and a less-than-perfect mother, but that's OK. If she had bad hair, a bad face, and a bad body, no one would care about her as she agonizes about what to do next. So, as they say, "Being beautiful doesn't hurt." However, being about a lesbian romance doesn't automatically make a movie a great movie either. In my mind, this isn't a great movie, beautiful star or not.
We saw this film in the Little Theatre at the exceptional ImageOut: Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It will work very well on DVD.
Elena (the lovely Necar Zadegan) has been married to a minister for many years. (They have a teenage son.) Something is missing from her marriage, and she's not very happy.
OK--lets examine the plot to this point. Her husband is pretty hypocritical, and succumbs to his parishioners who demand a strong anti-GLBT message from him. (I don't think he believes it, but he preaches it anyway. That's not OK.) But, he loves his wife, is respectful of her, and tries to be attentive to her needs and understanding of her problems. His worse fault, as his son tells him, is that he's "clueless." That's hardly an asset, but not the hideous defect it's made out to be. (Most of his cluelessness is that he doesn't realize his wife is having an affair, because he trusts her so much.) So, we move on.
His wife is attracted to--and falls in love with--Peyton, a lesbian writer, played by Traci Dinwiddie. There's also a guru named Tyler, played by Sam Harris. This role was so bizarre that I couldn't tell if Tyler was a real guru (i.e. don't laugh at him) or was supposed to be the comic relief.
At this point we have a wife in love with a lesbian woman, but she just can't make up her mind. My husband, my lover, my husband, my lover--What should I do? She decides to stay with her husband, but not let him "touch her," thereby remaining true to her lover. This despite a "romantic" vacation in Hawaii with her husband. (Either she did let him "touch her," or else he's the most understanding husband in the U.S.)
I think that what earned the movie its high ratings wasn't the plot, but the exotic beauty of Necar Zadegan. She's more Bollywood beautiful than Hollywood beautiful, but, in any case, you can't take your eyes off her. So, she may be an unfaithful wife and a less-than-perfect mother, but that's OK. If she had bad hair, a bad face, and a bad body, no one would care about her as she agonizes about what to do next. So, as they say, "Being beautiful doesn't hurt." However, being about a lesbian romance doesn't automatically make a movie a great movie either. In my mind, this isn't a great movie, beautiful star or not.
We saw this film in the Little Theatre at the exceptional ImageOut: Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It will work very well on DVD.
Elena Undone should find a spot among your home DVD collection!
nklepac13 November 2011
It is absolutely amazing film. I've seen a lot of LGBT movies so far but this one took my breath away. So intense and passionate ... The chemistry between both actresses is almost unbelievable. The story itself is very nice and everyone who really loved someone would easily connect with it. Actually I've seen it just about 30 times already and still feel the need to see it.
Seeing all the eye contacts between both women, specially Peyton's left me drowning in her eyes ... not to mention all the scenes with intimacy between both ... you can feel the passion and flames so you almost forgot to breathe ... or want to replace one of the actor with yourself ...
When I saw this movie for the first time I didn't know what to expect (seeing so many films with sad or a bit stupid endings) but watching it over and over again I concentrate myself only on the story of both women ... it actually reminded me I felt the same once and still feel the same but I am not sure if that amazing person feels the same about me ...
So ... if you're still questioning yourself if it's possible to find your soul-mate ... or such love - then don't question anymore and watch this film. I am sure it will not let you undone!
Seeing all the eye contacts between both women, specially Peyton's left me drowning in her eyes ... not to mention all the scenes with intimacy between both ... you can feel the passion and flames so you almost forgot to breathe ... or want to replace one of the actor with yourself ...
When I saw this movie for the first time I didn't know what to expect (seeing so many films with sad or a bit stupid endings) but watching it over and over again I concentrate myself only on the story of both women ... it actually reminded me I felt the same once and still feel the same but I am not sure if that amazing person feels the same about me ...
So ... if you're still questioning yourself if it's possible to find your soul-mate ... or such love - then don't question anymore and watch this film. I am sure it will not let you undone!
Nicole conn's best film to date *spoilers ahead*
michellelocke00712 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
saw the trailer for this movie and waited patiently for it to be released on DVD. Nicole conn is just a handful of lesbian filmmakers out there and this was the best of the bunch...aside from the awful Claire of the moon. it has the standard and predictable story of a married woman with a teenage son who is having difficulties in her marriage and realizes she has fallen out of love with her husband who just happens to be a pastor of the local church.
Elena the title character and her husband Barry are trying to have another child. Elena decides to visit an adoption agency as an alternative option, where she meets lesbian novelist Peyton. the two hit it off and start spending a lot of time together and getting to know each other. eventually things heat up when Elena realizes that she has developed a strong attraction to Peyton who is wary of the situation. Peyton knows that Elena is married and has a child and tries to end the friendship before it leads to something more. but poor Elena can't stop thinking about Peyton and the times they have spent together and keeps coming back...phoning her, showing up at her her doorstep.
Elena's husband Barry is all too clueless to figure out his wife's extracurricular activities. Elena tries to initiate a physical relationship with Peyton who lets her know that once they go forward there is no going back and the consequences that may surface if their relationship is discovered.
the two lead actresses are attractive and have very good chemistry, so the love scenes were believable and sensual...nothing too graphic.
however, i do feel that Elena was neglecting her husband and son and eluding her responsibilities as a wife and mother in order to carry on her affair with Peyton. knowing that she was no longer in love with Barry but stringing him along was selfish...she was un-willing to communicate with him or talk about her feelings.
yes, Barry had no backbone when it came to preaching his homophobic sermons mostly due to pressure from his congregation who were also organizing pickets against gay rights and marriage. but i don't think that should be a reason for Elena to cheat on him regardless of gender. she should have been up-front about their marriage and problems she was experiencing. at least Barry tried to open the walls of communication but Elena completely shut him out.
Elena's son Nash, who discovers the affair, goes haywire ie. shoplifting, drinking and cutting school...his way of dealing with the devastating situation...fully aware that his parents marriage may be over.
aside from the above issues i had with the movie, it was over-all a positive film watching experience. one of the better and positive lesbian films. check it out for yourself.
Elena the title character and her husband Barry are trying to have another child. Elena decides to visit an adoption agency as an alternative option, where she meets lesbian novelist Peyton. the two hit it off and start spending a lot of time together and getting to know each other. eventually things heat up when Elena realizes that she has developed a strong attraction to Peyton who is wary of the situation. Peyton knows that Elena is married and has a child and tries to end the friendship before it leads to something more. but poor Elena can't stop thinking about Peyton and the times they have spent together and keeps coming back...phoning her, showing up at her her doorstep.
Elena's husband Barry is all too clueless to figure out his wife's extracurricular activities. Elena tries to initiate a physical relationship with Peyton who lets her know that once they go forward there is no going back and the consequences that may surface if their relationship is discovered.
the two lead actresses are attractive and have very good chemistry, so the love scenes were believable and sensual...nothing too graphic.
however, i do feel that Elena was neglecting her husband and son and eluding her responsibilities as a wife and mother in order to carry on her affair with Peyton. knowing that she was no longer in love with Barry but stringing him along was selfish...she was un-willing to communicate with him or talk about her feelings.
yes, Barry had no backbone when it came to preaching his homophobic sermons mostly due to pressure from his congregation who were also organizing pickets against gay rights and marriage. but i don't think that should be a reason for Elena to cheat on him regardless of gender. she should have been up-front about their marriage and problems she was experiencing. at least Barry tried to open the walls of communication but Elena completely shut him out.
Elena's son Nash, who discovers the affair, goes haywire ie. shoplifting, drinking and cutting school...his way of dealing with the devastating situation...fully aware that his parents marriage may be over.
aside from the above issues i had with the movie, it was over-all a positive film watching experience. one of the better and positive lesbian films. check it out for yourself.
great acting but self-indulgent poorly edited film
slip1999 July 2010
Last night at the Philly Qfest, the director of this film blamed her lesbian audience for why her film was low-budget (she says it's because "lesbians don't go to the movies...").
Low-budget doesn't explain why the narrative rhythm of her feature film was reminiscent of a deaf, dumb, and blind elementary school's band who's music teacher is conducting over the web. No pace. No rhythm. The first 30 minutes was the worst. Needs to be re-edited!!! Eventually, the film did improve significantly, and at times, was very funny. The acting was good and I appreciated the casting.
However, overall,the story itself reeked of self-indulgence and attempted to cater too much to the real life back story of its filmmakers at the expense of developing an authentic narrative that could breathe on its own. So much of this film simply needed to be re-edited. The psychic guru guy... I understand his character and finally got around to liking him but he needs a completely revised introduction into the script. It simply doesn't work.
One thing I didn't understand was the wardrobe of the lesbian protagonist's character. The story seemed to be set in 2010 but her wardrobe was very 1990's. The actor didn't look comfortable in those clothes. Again, was this artistic detail (e.g. wardrobe) catering to the integrity of the autobiographical story over the authenticity of its recreation?
Oh, and about that long kiss....it was long. Too long. Sadly, it looked too staged and indulgent to the filmmakers rather than seeming authentic to the actual characters. It's nice when art has the potential to imitate life but it has to happen naturally. It can't just happen for it's own sake.
Lastly, a low-budget breeds creativity. I liked what was done with inserting the "real life" stories of heterosexual lovers. It was a nice touch which has been successfully executed in other films but in this film, it didn't fit in seamlessly. I've never seen such careless editing and loose story structure with all the flashbacks, and side stories, and voice-overs. More time was needed to tighten up this film. The acting itself would make it worth seeing again if it was re-edited.
Low-budget doesn't explain why the narrative rhythm of her feature film was reminiscent of a deaf, dumb, and blind elementary school's band who's music teacher is conducting over the web. No pace. No rhythm. The first 30 minutes was the worst. Needs to be re-edited!!! Eventually, the film did improve significantly, and at times, was very funny. The acting was good and I appreciated the casting.
However, overall,the story itself reeked of self-indulgence and attempted to cater too much to the real life back story of its filmmakers at the expense of developing an authentic narrative that could breathe on its own. So much of this film simply needed to be re-edited. The psychic guru guy... I understand his character and finally got around to liking him but he needs a completely revised introduction into the script. It simply doesn't work.
One thing I didn't understand was the wardrobe of the lesbian protagonist's character. The story seemed to be set in 2010 but her wardrobe was very 1990's. The actor didn't look comfortable in those clothes. Again, was this artistic detail (e.g. wardrobe) catering to the integrity of the autobiographical story over the authenticity of its recreation?
Oh, and about that long kiss....it was long. Too long. Sadly, it looked too staged and indulgent to the filmmakers rather than seeming authentic to the actual characters. It's nice when art has the potential to imitate life but it has to happen naturally. It can't just happen for it's own sake.
Lastly, a low-budget breeds creativity. I liked what was done with inserting the "real life" stories of heterosexual lovers. It was a nice touch which has been successfully executed in other films but in this film, it didn't fit in seamlessly. I've never seen such careless editing and loose story structure with all the flashbacks, and side stories, and voice-overs. More time was needed to tighten up this film. The acting itself would make it worth seeing again if it was re-edited.
Enjoyable but not Rememberable
sophiebp-104109 January 2020
I did like this film, to state right off the bat. I've been a fan of T Dinwiddie since watching 'Raven's Touch', so to find out she was in one of the most famous lesbian drama's was so exciting to me!
After watching, I still couldn't figure out whether I liked it or not. I did, because I thought the storyline had potential and obviously loved 'Peyton'. However, I didn't particularly like 'Elena' played by Necar Zadegan. I don't know if it is because of the character and her far fetched nature or the actor's approach but something with her just didn't sit right. She seemed almost too dramatic and not quite naturalistic in a strange way.
Also, the editing was strange. Almost all of the transitions were a fade to black which just made it feel slow and poorly filmed.
But if you put past these attributes it is an enjoyable film. One to watch a few times before you can fully appreciate it! Also THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY HAVING A HAPPY ENDING!!! Finally, Lesbians can actually live happily together.
After watching, I still couldn't figure out whether I liked it or not. I did, because I thought the storyline had potential and obviously loved 'Peyton'. However, I didn't particularly like 'Elena' played by Necar Zadegan. I don't know if it is because of the character and her far fetched nature or the actor's approach but something with her just didn't sit right. She seemed almost too dramatic and not quite naturalistic in a strange way.
Also, the editing was strange. Almost all of the transitions were a fade to black which just made it feel slow and poorly filmed.
But if you put past these attributes it is an enjoyable film. One to watch a few times before you can fully appreciate it! Also THANK YOU FOR ACTUALLY HAVING A HAPPY ENDING!!! Finally, Lesbians can actually live happily together.
Oy. An astonishingly bad film
intergalacticgoddess26 June 2010
I was SO wanted to enjoy this film, or at least praise its virtues. But the night I saw it (at its premiere at the Frameline Festival in San Francisco) everyone in my row was wincing and giggling. And finally, I just left the theater after 40 minutes. Withstand this onslaught of cinematic bludgeoning for that long was enough. I gave it my best shot.
I mean, it's a story you want to support with its heart is in the right place. But from the opening minutes, I had this sinking sensation as the voice-over, without a shred of camp or irony, began to give us an uber-sincere lecture on love and soulmates.
And it was downhill from there. If you like your movies with a hearty side of sledgehammer, you'll love this one. Every few minutes a character would arise to tell you what to think or feel. One of the worst was 'love guru-psychic man' with his awful teeth-gnashing, 'spiritual' speeches...but other characters hammered away too.
Soon I was suffocating.
So it was the first time in 25 years of gay film festivals, I just walked out. Escaped to a beautiful, cold, foggy San Francisco night.
Where I could breathe again.
I mean, it's a story you want to support with its heart is in the right place. But from the opening minutes, I had this sinking sensation as the voice-over, without a shred of camp or irony, began to give us an uber-sincere lecture on love and soulmates.
And it was downhill from there. If you like your movies with a hearty side of sledgehammer, you'll love this one. Every few minutes a character would arise to tell you what to think or feel. One of the worst was 'love guru-psychic man' with his awful teeth-gnashing, 'spiritual' speeches...but other characters hammered away too.
Soon I was suffocating.
So it was the first time in 25 years of gay film festivals, I just walked out. Escaped to a beautiful, cold, foggy San Francisco night.
Where I could breathe again.
A romance film that appeals to everyone, including straight men!
jlhopwo26 June 2011
OK, put away your presumptions and your prejudices about what a "lesbian" movie is. If you skip this movie because "it's about lesbians," or gays, or the mysterious "other," then you're missing out on one of the best romantic films I've ever seen.
First, I'm a happily married straight guy, 45 years old. Now having dispensed with that, on to the review!
As another reviewer has already noted, this is a romance film. It happens to be a romance film with two women as the lead actors. Sure, you can call it a lesbian film, if you wish to force it into some niche. You can note that the director and producer, both women, are partners, and therefore let that make a choice for you about the movie. I recommend, however, that you watch the film, and let it stand on its own merits. You won't be disappointed.
While some say that this film appears to be somewhat formulaic (girl meets girl, girl loses girl, girl gets girl back in the end,) movies use formulas because 1) they work, and 2) they are true representations of how life happens. What separates this movie from other romance movies isn't that the main characters are women, but the visceral, raw, and quite real emotions captured by the camera and shown to us on film. I was bowled away by the acting, amazed by the cinematography, and stunned by the chemistry. Oh yes, there's chemistry! I'm making a distinction between the acting and the chemistry because I would like to speak to the acting in general, and the chemistry in particular. Am I exaggerating when I write "bowled away", "amazed", and "stunned?" OK, maybe a little bit. Obviously, I'm biased- I really like this movie! But allow me to explain.
The acting in "Elena Undone" is wonderful. And I don't mean wonderful for an indie film. I mean truly wonderful. The phrase "suspension of disbelief" gets bandied about quite a bit in film reviews, and I don't want to, again, exaggerate, but I really felt like I was there when watching this movie. There were so many scenes where I was no longer sitting in my living room, but I was "there", at the park, or in Peyton's living room, or in her (their) bedroom... I felt like I was disembodied, hovering at the periphery of the scene, really watching events unfold in real-time! Not just the main characters Elena (Nacar Zadegan) and Peyton (Traci Dinwiddie), but all the actors performed wonderfully.
The cinematography was also excellent. There are two main themes in the cinematography that I would like to speak to. One is the "style" of the movie, and the other, from a comparative point of view, is the role that the park plays in the movie. I can point to the "narration style" used where one of the actors, Tyler, talks to the camera in the guise of the cinematographer-type role that he plays in the movie. Similar to other movies that have used this device (Kenneth Branagh's "Othello" comes immediately to mind), it helps steady the movie and keeps things moving along. The park is another part of the cinematography that plays an important role in the movie. The park becomes almost like another part of the cast, present at many important points in the movie. It's there when Elena and Peyton first see each other, although they don't meet then. It's there when "girl loses girl," and also there when at the very end and the credits begin to roll, they are at their happiest. I bring these points up not because they are especially important, or especially poignant, but to demonstrate to you, the reader of this review, that particular care was spent in the cinematography of this movie. Please be assured, that if the cast and crew cared about these things, they certainly cared about all other aspects of this movie that make it so great.
Lastly, the chemistry. This movie, were it not for the chemistry between Nacar Zadegan, and Traci Dinwiddie, would be an above average romance movie. With it, it explodes on the screen! From their first glance that shows interest, to their open conversations, to the scene where there is that first spark that ignites the tinder, to the scene where the tinder begins to blaze a little more, to that scene... that scene where the flame is no longer small, but all-consuming, engulfing them... I don't even know if I can properly even describe it to you, to give it its due. You just are going to have to take my word for it, when you see this scene, you will be so affected, as I was, it's so amazingly beautiful and raw- the acknowledgment of Elena's feelings, her forthrightness, yet tempered with her knowledge that she may be changing things irrevocably, but with her stubborn, almost petulant need to charge forward into the abyss... And by the way, it's not a sex scene that I'm writing about (while there is sex in the movie, it's thoughtfully and provocatively muted, sensual, loving, while still being erotic and sexy!) Anyway, I'm probably letting my feelings thinking about this scene get away with me, but once again, please let me say to you, you deserve to see this scene, and by extension, the whole movie!
To summarize, and to close this somewhat lengthy and totally biased review, you need to see this movie. Yes you, straight man, as well as you, lesbian lady, and you too, curious lady. And hey, you too, straight woman with a boyfriend. All of you can put aside whatever baggage you're bringing to the table and watch this movie. If you aren't affected by this romance, this love story, this amazing retelling of how two people can meet, and fall in love, and run into problems, and become redeemed because of their unassailable love for each other, then you must be dead inside.
First, I'm a happily married straight guy, 45 years old. Now having dispensed with that, on to the review!
As another reviewer has already noted, this is a romance film. It happens to be a romance film with two women as the lead actors. Sure, you can call it a lesbian film, if you wish to force it into some niche. You can note that the director and producer, both women, are partners, and therefore let that make a choice for you about the movie. I recommend, however, that you watch the film, and let it stand on its own merits. You won't be disappointed.
While some say that this film appears to be somewhat formulaic (girl meets girl, girl loses girl, girl gets girl back in the end,) movies use formulas because 1) they work, and 2) they are true representations of how life happens. What separates this movie from other romance movies isn't that the main characters are women, but the visceral, raw, and quite real emotions captured by the camera and shown to us on film. I was bowled away by the acting, amazed by the cinematography, and stunned by the chemistry. Oh yes, there's chemistry! I'm making a distinction between the acting and the chemistry because I would like to speak to the acting in general, and the chemistry in particular. Am I exaggerating when I write "bowled away", "amazed", and "stunned?" OK, maybe a little bit. Obviously, I'm biased- I really like this movie! But allow me to explain.
The acting in "Elena Undone" is wonderful. And I don't mean wonderful for an indie film. I mean truly wonderful. The phrase "suspension of disbelief" gets bandied about quite a bit in film reviews, and I don't want to, again, exaggerate, but I really felt like I was there when watching this movie. There were so many scenes where I was no longer sitting in my living room, but I was "there", at the park, or in Peyton's living room, or in her (their) bedroom... I felt like I was disembodied, hovering at the periphery of the scene, really watching events unfold in real-time! Not just the main characters Elena (Nacar Zadegan) and Peyton (Traci Dinwiddie), but all the actors performed wonderfully.
The cinematography was also excellent. There are two main themes in the cinematography that I would like to speak to. One is the "style" of the movie, and the other, from a comparative point of view, is the role that the park plays in the movie. I can point to the "narration style" used where one of the actors, Tyler, talks to the camera in the guise of the cinematographer-type role that he plays in the movie. Similar to other movies that have used this device (Kenneth Branagh's "Othello" comes immediately to mind), it helps steady the movie and keeps things moving along. The park is another part of the cinematography that plays an important role in the movie. The park becomes almost like another part of the cast, present at many important points in the movie. It's there when Elena and Peyton first see each other, although they don't meet then. It's there when "girl loses girl," and also there when at the very end and the credits begin to roll, they are at their happiest. I bring these points up not because they are especially important, or especially poignant, but to demonstrate to you, the reader of this review, that particular care was spent in the cinematography of this movie. Please be assured, that if the cast and crew cared about these things, they certainly cared about all other aspects of this movie that make it so great.
Lastly, the chemistry. This movie, were it not for the chemistry between Nacar Zadegan, and Traci Dinwiddie, would be an above average romance movie. With it, it explodes on the screen! From their first glance that shows interest, to their open conversations, to the scene where there is that first spark that ignites the tinder, to the scene where the tinder begins to blaze a little more, to that scene... that scene where the flame is no longer small, but all-consuming, engulfing them... I don't even know if I can properly even describe it to you, to give it its due. You just are going to have to take my word for it, when you see this scene, you will be so affected, as I was, it's so amazingly beautiful and raw- the acknowledgment of Elena's feelings, her forthrightness, yet tempered with her knowledge that she may be changing things irrevocably, but with her stubborn, almost petulant need to charge forward into the abyss... And by the way, it's not a sex scene that I'm writing about (while there is sex in the movie, it's thoughtfully and provocatively muted, sensual, loving, while still being erotic and sexy!) Anyway, I'm probably letting my feelings thinking about this scene get away with me, but once again, please let me say to you, you deserve to see this scene, and by extension, the whole movie!
To summarize, and to close this somewhat lengthy and totally biased review, you need to see this movie. Yes you, straight man, as well as you, lesbian lady, and you too, curious lady. And hey, you too, straight woman with a boyfriend. All of you can put aside whatever baggage you're bringing to the table and watch this movie. If you aren't affected by this romance, this love story, this amazing retelling of how two people can meet, and fall in love, and run into problems, and become redeemed because of their unassailable love for each other, then you must be dead inside.
It's the lies that hurt
geohv-6779610 March 2020
Sandy in the world there are far too many people living like this. The truth will be far easer for those in your life to deal with than the lies. We don't always want to hear the truth but it can be in time accepted. Many years ago I woke up in the middle of the night to realize that my wife was not home from work, I tried her work and cellphone but got no answer, after about a half hour I called the police. A few hours later they called, they had found her and she was okay and on her way home, I was so relieved in that moment then I asked where she was, the officer replied "I'll let her explain that when she gets home", it took a moment but suddenly I felt panic and a deep sense of all I'd just lost. In that moment I knew that this was going to be more than I was prepared to hear. Even when she got home she lied, it took a couple months for the truth to be told. I don't know that there can be anything worse than the person you trust most lie to you and deceive you, finding out that there friends knew and no one said anything. Lies don't protect the ones that they are told to, they hurt them.
Hilariously bad. Also, was this a cult recruiting video?
jawooten-7760719 March 2021
The acting and writing were on the same level as the worst lifetime movie or best p*rno. The sound track did not age well at all, but most importantly, was this a recruitment video for a cult?? The weird cuts to interviews with couples, bizarre insertion of strange ceremonies that never get explained, and allusions to the Twin Flame really throw me off.
Anyway. I put 4/10, but I'd say 6/10 if you're a really high and sad lesbian who's run out of other lesbian movies.
Anyway. I put 4/10, but I'd say 6/10 if you're a really high and sad lesbian who's run out of other lesbian movies.
This sets the standard for what lesbian films SHOULD be!!!
flores_idealist2 July 2010
I was disappointed and frustrated to see that the only review of this film so far was by a woman who had the nerve to dish on a film that she walked out of after only the first 40 minutes. Seems to me that that should automatically disqualify her review and critique on that grounds alone.
My partner and I, on the other hand, stayed for the entire film, and would have quite happily stayed for a second showing if they'd decided to have one. We agreed that it was the best lesbian film that we've ever seen (and we've seen most of them that are out there).
When the reality is that most (though thankfully not all) lesbian films are mediocre at best, and embarrassingly bad at worst, "Elena Undone" sets a new standard for what lesbian films can and should be: intelligently written, well-cast and well-acted and well-directed, with natural and believable dialogue, a storyline that is actually believable, and characters that you can relate to (and may even want to be friends with), and extremely erotic scenes that still manage to be tasteful and believable. It is rare to find all of these qualities in a mainstream blockbuster feature film, and nearly impossible to find them in lesbian movies, so I was thrilled almost beyond reason to see what can be accomplished in lesbian film-making.
And then there's the astounding beauty of the two co-stars and the incredible and believable passion and eroticism of the connection that builds between them as the movie evolves. To say that this was a satisfying element of the movie would be a serious understatement... I have never been so aroused by a film, and couldn't stop thinking about it for the entire week since I've seen it. I have watched the trailer at least once a day since and am totally hooked! I am not embarrassed to admit that I have fallen hopelessly in love with this exquisite film.
I encourage every woman-loving-woman out there (and our friends and allies) to do whatever it takes to SEE THIS FILM, even if it means buying it sight-unseen (yeah, it's THAT good!) We need to create a market for more high quality lesbian films like this, and the only way to do so is to provide support to the talented filmmakers who gift us with delicious movies like this one. SEE IT -- YOU WON'T REGRET IT! Kathy Berkeley, CA
My partner and I, on the other hand, stayed for the entire film, and would have quite happily stayed for a second showing if they'd decided to have one. We agreed that it was the best lesbian film that we've ever seen (and we've seen most of them that are out there).
When the reality is that most (though thankfully not all) lesbian films are mediocre at best, and embarrassingly bad at worst, "Elena Undone" sets a new standard for what lesbian films can and should be: intelligently written, well-cast and well-acted and well-directed, with natural and believable dialogue, a storyline that is actually believable, and characters that you can relate to (and may even want to be friends with), and extremely erotic scenes that still manage to be tasteful and believable. It is rare to find all of these qualities in a mainstream blockbuster feature film, and nearly impossible to find them in lesbian movies, so I was thrilled almost beyond reason to see what can be accomplished in lesbian film-making.
And then there's the astounding beauty of the two co-stars and the incredible and believable passion and eroticism of the connection that builds between them as the movie evolves. To say that this was a satisfying element of the movie would be a serious understatement... I have never been so aroused by a film, and couldn't stop thinking about it for the entire week since I've seen it. I have watched the trailer at least once a day since and am totally hooked! I am not embarrassed to admit that I have fallen hopelessly in love with this exquisite film.
I encourage every woman-loving-woman out there (and our friends and allies) to do whatever it takes to SEE THIS FILM, even if it means buying it sight-unseen (yeah, it's THAT good!) We need to create a market for more high quality lesbian films like this, and the only way to do so is to provide support to the talented filmmakers who gift us with delicious movies like this one. SEE IT -- YOU WON'T REGRET IT! Kathy Berkeley, CA
Reader's Digest version of a review
surfer31211 February 2011
Since so many people review stuff online here and just keep going and going and going, I'm gonna keep it short and sweet, like you're talking to a friend, so I won't bore you to death.
It was OK, a bit Lifetime-ish, and the acting was okay too.
A decent first effort from the whole cast and crew, but would I see it again? Probably not.
A few twists and turns (no spoilers here) that kept it almost completely off the Hollywood path for a while (and a not too standard ending), but you'll still see it coming a mile away anyway.
As usual, to sell the film, they are using Hollywood-stylized pretty actresses to portray ordinary lesbian women - grant you, we're not all Brad Pitts or A. Jolies, but it gets old to watch pretty people have pretty R-rated sex on screen while the music swells, etc etc etc.
That's what Cinemax is for...
So that's my review.
6/10 - at best.
If you want long-winded explanations of everything else and needlessly included spoilers, go to the other 5 or 6 reviews that are here.
Thanks for reading.
It was OK, a bit Lifetime-ish, and the acting was okay too.
A decent first effort from the whole cast and crew, but would I see it again? Probably not.
A few twists and turns (no spoilers here) that kept it almost completely off the Hollywood path for a while (and a not too standard ending), but you'll still see it coming a mile away anyway.
As usual, to sell the film, they are using Hollywood-stylized pretty actresses to portray ordinary lesbian women - grant you, we're not all Brad Pitts or A. Jolies, but it gets old to watch pretty people have pretty R-rated sex on screen while the music swells, etc etc etc.
That's what Cinemax is for...
So that's my review.
6/10 - at best.
If you want long-winded explanations of everything else and needlessly included spoilers, go to the other 5 or 6 reviews that are here.
Thanks for reading.
What are we watching?
MariaSpan22 April 2019
1 for effort and for it being directed and produced by a lesbian couple . I watched this movie with my girlfriend because we wanted to watch a silly classical lesbian romance, BUT 20 minutes in the film, I paused and said: "baby, just a quick comment: what are we watching?". No disrespect on lesbian films in general which we all love, even if they are truly garbage, but this "movie" had nothing: no script, no good acting whatsoever, no sense of what editing is, or music, for that matter, no sense of aesthetics or set decoration and so on.. We were just laughing at what was happening there, on the screen. We are also wondering how it could possibly be praised so much and given so many good reviews. It was simply too painful to watch. Again, no disrespect, go watch another lesbian movie. Litterally, any other lesbian movie. That's all.
Not bad, not great
China243 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This movie has an intriguing plot: married woman meets lesbian and discovers another side of herself.
I felt the casting was good. The two female leads were believable enough, and I felt that particularly about the character Peyton and Traci Dinwiddie's portrayal of her.
Other than that, I think we just got barely below the surface of things. I could have done without the whole love guru guy and his narration - gave the film a rather after-school-special feel to it. And I thought that having Elena be, not just married, but married to a conservative preacher, was a bit much. Her character just didn't fit that profile at all.
My biggest disappointment was probably the lack of torment in Elena's character. She was truly the aggressor in the affair and seemed to not really be bothered much by the fact that she was cheating on her family while limiting her commitment to Peyton. In the scene just after the "longest on screen kiss", Elena is walking away, all a-flutter, and actually looking rather proud of herself. It came off as quite selfish as I think a truly compassionate woman would have strong conflicting emotions in such a situation, not a mischievous grin. As Peyton points out later in the midst of things, Elena just wants to "have her cake and eat it too".
In fact, had Elena's son not discovered the affair, it seems that Elena would be content enough to continue to see Peyton on the side while remaining a cold fish to her frustrated husband.
Contrastingly, Peyton is rather tormented. She fights her feelings for Elena, not just because Elena is supposedly straight, but also because she is married. After they do cross the line, she continues to struggle internally.
So, in the end, not bad, but definitely could have been better.
I felt the casting was good. The two female leads were believable enough, and I felt that particularly about the character Peyton and Traci Dinwiddie's portrayal of her.
Other than that, I think we just got barely below the surface of things. I could have done without the whole love guru guy and his narration - gave the film a rather after-school-special feel to it. And I thought that having Elena be, not just married, but married to a conservative preacher, was a bit much. Her character just didn't fit that profile at all.
My biggest disappointment was probably the lack of torment in Elena's character. She was truly the aggressor in the affair and seemed to not really be bothered much by the fact that she was cheating on her family while limiting her commitment to Peyton. In the scene just after the "longest on screen kiss", Elena is walking away, all a-flutter, and actually looking rather proud of herself. It came off as quite selfish as I think a truly compassionate woman would have strong conflicting emotions in such a situation, not a mischievous grin. As Peyton points out later in the midst of things, Elena just wants to "have her cake and eat it too".
In fact, had Elena's son not discovered the affair, it seems that Elena would be content enough to continue to see Peyton on the side while remaining a cold fish to her frustrated husband.
Contrastingly, Peyton is rather tormented. She fights her feelings for Elena, not just because Elena is supposedly straight, but also because she is married. After they do cross the line, she continues to struggle internally.
So, in the end, not bad, but definitely could have been better.
Direly unsubtle, and cheesy, but fun
I_Ailurophile15 May 2021
'Elena undone' is pointedly impenitent in its purposeful, ham-fisted storytelling. I both love it and hate it - but more the former than the latter.
The writing is incredibly direct, in characterizations, dialogue, narrative, and themes, almost to a point of boorishness. That's emphasized by the presentation with pseudo-narration by one of the supporting characters, a "love guru," as he discusses the concept of soul mates.
This movie feels like an extra dramatic romance by way of The Hallmark Channel, smashed together with the forthright cheesiness of Lifetime and the soft focus of a slowburn 'Emmanuelle' feature - and the most blunt sociopolitical commentary sprinkled on top. Even the soundtrack put together by composer Mark Chait and music supervisor Jennifer Corday feeds directly into this very deliberate construction.
Let's be honest, anyone watching this is surely here for the lesbian representation. Film and TV is increasingly improving in that regard, yet we're still left wanting. Is the unabashed kitsch on display here worth it? That all depends on how willing a viewer is to engage with a feature this plainspoken.
I'll say this much: Stars Necar Zadegan (Elena) and Traci Dinwiddie (Peyton) have great chemistry together, handily selling the love between the two characters. That makes every conflict in the plot that much more awkward, but the somewhat unsatisfying ending more rewarding. And I'd love to see more features from both.
That it's almost too overbearing for its own good - well, that, too, is clearly a conscious film-making choice. 'Elena undone' is a movie that knows exactly what it is, and every potential audience member does, too. If this is for you, then you already know it.
The writing is incredibly direct, in characterizations, dialogue, narrative, and themes, almost to a point of boorishness. That's emphasized by the presentation with pseudo-narration by one of the supporting characters, a "love guru," as he discusses the concept of soul mates.
This movie feels like an extra dramatic romance by way of The Hallmark Channel, smashed together with the forthright cheesiness of Lifetime and the soft focus of a slowburn 'Emmanuelle' feature - and the most blunt sociopolitical commentary sprinkled on top. Even the soundtrack put together by composer Mark Chait and music supervisor Jennifer Corday feeds directly into this very deliberate construction.
Let's be honest, anyone watching this is surely here for the lesbian representation. Film and TV is increasingly improving in that regard, yet we're still left wanting. Is the unabashed kitsch on display here worth it? That all depends on how willing a viewer is to engage with a feature this plainspoken.
I'll say this much: Stars Necar Zadegan (Elena) and Traci Dinwiddie (Peyton) have great chemistry together, handily selling the love between the two characters. That makes every conflict in the plot that much more awkward, but the somewhat unsatisfying ending more rewarding. And I'd love to see more features from both.
That it's almost too overbearing for its own good - well, that, too, is clearly a conscious film-making choice. 'Elena undone' is a movie that knows exactly what it is, and every potential audience member does, too. If this is for you, then you already know it.
Nicole Conn neither write, nor direct
barringtonbunny18 June 2022
Every single one of her movies is the EXACT same. Poorly written and directed. She tries to direct in this artistic flair with camera angles that are too tight and then inexplicably point skyward. Every movie is the same. There are flashback scenes to show how miserable the poor straight woman has been before she meets the lesbian who saves her. I watch them simply because I want to watch a lesbian movie, but she is so bad. Her stories, and this one is no exception, are always horribly written and acted.
Love always finds a way
kosmasp13 July 2022
If you are prude, I reckon you may have some issues with the movie. The cover already sends a signal ... I did not read the summary, but it is clear what it will be about. Love is love - no pun intended, though I reckon it may reek of cliche just saying it.
Actually writing it, but you know what I mean. The movie is building things up slowly. You may agree with what is being done here or not - but the way it is set up does make sense. It doesn't just happen ... it evolves. As we all should evolve as society and let individuals be free to choose - no pun intended - as in every regard, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else negatively.
There is drama, there is tension .. there are secrets and there is quite a bit of suspense ... and the question: how will it all end? Well ... that is for you to come out ... sorry I mean find out (no pun intended)
Actually writing it, but you know what I mean. The movie is building things up slowly. You may agree with what is being done here or not - but the way it is set up does make sense. It doesn't just happen ... it evolves. As we all should evolve as society and let individuals be free to choose - no pun intended - as in every regard, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else negatively.
There is drama, there is tension .. there are secrets and there is quite a bit of suspense ... and the question: how will it all end? Well ... that is for you to come out ... sorry I mean find out (no pun intended)
A coming out / love story done very ham handedly
johnanthonymazzei12 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Character and story development were weak. The two women meet at an adoption seminar followed by the author hiring the photographer turned homemaker. This was the premise of getting them together but, the job is never explained or completed---plot hole. Friendship turns to love and sex. The author character was too selfish expecting her new lover to extricate herself from a 15 year marriage overnight. The son character was a mixed metaphor. He's old enough to have found his true love in high school that sleeps over but, can't handle his parents divorce. Yet, the kid can drink POPOV vodka straight. The dad / father was not worth mentioning---window dressing. The author's childhood friend, fellow lesbian and neighbor seems unlikely.I don't buy the we're friends, not lovers. The wife going thru a divorce decides on invitro fertilization with the love guru / narrator as a sperm donor. Pastors don't make a lot of money and divorcees lives are in chaos for months after the divorce. Where did the money come from ? The narrator was annoying./ Here is a timeout, I'll explain what you should have gotten from each scene. The ending was too cliché. The author and her neighbor are talking about the author's upcoming adoption. After they run into everyone else in the movie at the park this adopted baby to be disappears. The Wife has one and it's good enough for both of them. We see the whole group in the park the neighbor has a black girlfriend, never mentioned or seen before. Only black character in the movie, was she included for the sake of diversity ?
Elena Undone Sets the Standard
studyhebrew7 January 2012
Elena Undone is by far, the best lesbian movie I've ever seen. The chemistry between the two women is palpable, the script is well written and believable, and the acting is wonderful by the two leading actresses as well as the supporting cast. Traci Dinwiddie (Peyton) especially stands out when she is preparing to share her feelings with her up-til-then platonic friend. Her discomfort yet innocent naivety was delightful. She conveys with one raised eyebrow or sigh, her embarrassed, self consciousness. There were two other scenes where she took my breath away: in the short love scene when her lover, Elena (Necar Zadegan), asserts herself sexually and Peyton is forced to face her own control & trust issues, fears, and vulnerability; and in the swimming pool when her pain overwhelms her after their breakup. Peyton's pain becomes our pain as she disappears sobbing underneath the shimmering water.
I actually regard The Longest Kiss as the first love scene in Elena Undone. The energy and determination with which Elena bursts into the room would cause any heart to race and the poignant dialogue between kisses rang so true that it only added to their rising passion. Necar Zadegan is enchanting as she wrestles with her new found reality of finding herself in love with a woman. She owns the screen in the morning-after breakfast scene and in the park when her dreams begin to crumble as Peyton emotionally steps back and pushes her away. Two other actresses deserve special mention: Mary Wells as Wave, Peyton's best friend, was fabulous! She's a best friend everyone would want. And Sabrina Fuster as Tori was simply charming. They both offered sterling performances.
One final mention the music is remarkable. Between Jennifer Corday's "Make Me Come Undone", Marc Chait's score, and Sabrina Fuster's "Suddenly", the music pulls at our heartstrings and keeps us emotionally tuned in every moment.
In closing, I don't know how Nicole Conn does it. A great script is the key and this was indeed a wonderful, reality based script. The movie just gets better and better. It's important to note too that Nicole Conn has given us more than just a lesbian movie. It's a movie about relationships and an affirmation that if we pay close attention and truly show up in our lives, then our chances of finding love is better than we think.
Janet Liss
I actually regard The Longest Kiss as the first love scene in Elena Undone. The energy and determination with which Elena bursts into the room would cause any heart to race and the poignant dialogue between kisses rang so true that it only added to their rising passion. Necar Zadegan is enchanting as she wrestles with her new found reality of finding herself in love with a woman. She owns the screen in the morning-after breakfast scene and in the park when her dreams begin to crumble as Peyton emotionally steps back and pushes her away. Two other actresses deserve special mention: Mary Wells as Wave, Peyton's best friend, was fabulous! She's a best friend everyone would want. And Sabrina Fuster as Tori was simply charming. They both offered sterling performances.
One final mention the music is remarkable. Between Jennifer Corday's "Make Me Come Undone", Marc Chait's score, and Sabrina Fuster's "Suddenly", the music pulls at our heartstrings and keeps us emotionally tuned in every moment.
In closing, I don't know how Nicole Conn does it. A great script is the key and this was indeed a wonderful, reality based script. The movie just gets better and better. It's important to note too that Nicole Conn has given us more than just a lesbian movie. It's a movie about relationships and an affirmation that if we pay close attention and truly show up in our lives, then our chances of finding love is better than we think.
Janet Liss
sorry, but this is no "Carol"
lee_eisenberg20 October 2020
The previous reviewer called Nicole Conn's "Elena Undone" the ideal lesbian movie. Totally wrong. Todd Haynes's "Carol" (based on Patricia Highsmith's "Price of Salt") is. It has a deep plot. Practically nothing happens in this movie. Total waste of time.
Go see it. You need to see it!
cmbrown20323 August 2011
This movie is one everyone should see. The truth is that people fall in love; it can be messy; people may get hurt. The more complex reality is that we can really "sleep half our lives away" and wake to find our life is not what we believed it to be. We can have the best intentions; make the most detailed plan for our lives and wake to find nothing is the same.
Two women of good intention-adoption for God's sake- find themselves involved in an escalating romance. It doesn't matter what you think about gay, lesbian or even broken marriage vows, it happens.
And, the simple truth is no one talks about how a woman's world is split open by discovering that she can be sexually and romantically involved with another woman when that has never seemed "imaginable to her." No one talks about the collateral damage a woman will do on both sides of the equation because she has been conditioned to compromise, to "work it out."
So, Elena Undone talks about it; shows it; let's you live it for just a little while. Long kisses, glorious love-making, mine-field maneuvering in the land of disintegrating marriage; heart breaking choices in the pool of self-protection; and the simple notion that once the wreckage has been sorted, if it's true love, there is hope. That's all any of us want to believe, really. There is hope. AM I a romantic? Sure. I am living proof that the wreckage doesn't have to bury the flame. Twenty five years after meeting; with an 11 year separation, my soul mate and I just marked 13 years in June.
Go see the movie. Leave all your baggage at home. It's a movie. It tells a story and it makes you feel good; not bad...good!
Two women of good intention-adoption for God's sake- find themselves involved in an escalating romance. It doesn't matter what you think about gay, lesbian or even broken marriage vows, it happens.
And, the simple truth is no one talks about how a woman's world is split open by discovering that she can be sexually and romantically involved with another woman when that has never seemed "imaginable to her." No one talks about the collateral damage a woman will do on both sides of the equation because she has been conditioned to compromise, to "work it out."
So, Elena Undone talks about it; shows it; let's you live it for just a little while. Long kisses, glorious love-making, mine-field maneuvering in the land of disintegrating marriage; heart breaking choices in the pool of self-protection; and the simple notion that once the wreckage has been sorted, if it's true love, there is hope. That's all any of us want to believe, really. There is hope. AM I a romantic? Sure. I am living proof that the wreckage doesn't have to bury the flame. Twenty five years after meeting; with an 11 year separation, my soul mate and I just marked 13 years in June.
Go see the movie. Leave all your baggage at home. It's a movie. It tells a story and it makes you feel good; not bad...good!
Ugh....
jelencesb21 May 2021
I think that I will forever be stuck with one question in my mind...
How could the same director produce such a good movie,movie very well done,like The Perfect Ending,but before that and after that make a string of bad,hardly believable movies,such as this one for example...
What did I waste my time again on 😑😑😑
How could the same director produce such a good movie,movie very well done,like The Perfect Ending,but before that and after that make a string of bad,hardly believable movies,such as this one for example...
What did I waste my time again on 😑😑😑
Subculture and cliché - a film undone
herostratus-690-71969524 July 2011
First of all the "good" news: Everybody who loves "religiousness" as such will love this movie. Because it not only comes along as just another mere homosexual propaganda film, obviously in intention and attempt to make this kind of "non-straight" relationships socially acceptable. The second pseudo-religious effort of this film lies in immensely contributing to the at least also 2000 years old other myth of "the soul-mate" thing. For this purpose a non-gay guy is displayed who seems to be as impressively homosexual as unbearably precocious. The danger in "his" ideology - the so-called "two-flames" fairy-tale - lies in the eventually hopeless life-long search of the individual who believes and follows this saga, which practically means to be forever miserable. Since this movie is over-pretentious it is not surprising that it furthermore even pretends that everybody can and will find his or her "soul mate", equivalent to everlasting happiness. Because life itself proves otherwise it is even needless to explain why this fable represents in itself a severe reality distortion. But it is en-vogue to think that way these days, and people need - just like little children - sweet bedtime-stories as sort of happy-pills against the nameless dread(s) of our existence. Therefore people will love this film, especially if one chose to live a rather shallow life, and better not want to question, examine and analyze so-called "truths". Then again: of course we're all sick and tired of racism of all kinds - and rightfully so; one of it's most extreme form - so-called "gay-bashing" - is truly wrong and totally to despise. But this film - probably unwillingly - contributes to this old hatred in displaying "alternative" people as some sort of gay-shaman (the formerly mentioned "wise-guy" and the as primitively-dumb as vulgar-crude woman friend of one of the two woman lead roles). Watching these aversive characters I wonder: why not use ordinary grown-ups "like you an me" who can make the difference as well by showing tolerance? Why must it always be "strange" people who one usually (or: hopefully, in this case) will never meet in real life, who take over the role as "soul-advisors"? The movie would have gained enormously by showing normal people. The way this film was made I'm afraid it will only contribute to old gender stereotypes that in the end fuel even more hate. So everybody in this movie has his or her companion-guide who appears to be rather deranged than positive object, with which the viewer could identify in good manner. The same goes for the as well stereotyped pastor of a Christian church - true bible believers will hate this movie for it: there's this parish-woman and with her comes another undercurrent of adultery - this time on the Christian side. Of course the pastor is not practicing what he preaches (if one does not think he's - of course - preaching hatred), and of course the obsessive-compulsively moral churchwoman is a two-faced-creature (following, of course, rather the seven deadly sins than the word of God), and of course all possible clichés in the fields of homosexuality and of religion are borrowed here (yawn). It is clear: Christian believers are evil moralist culprits, homosexuals are innocent victims. It seems thus as if all characters were created out of the box of meanwhile super-boring stereotyped ideas, while the way fashionable subjects (like "Is being gay normal?" or "Should gay couples be allowed to have children?" - both answered positively in this film) are being treated in this movie reminded me of Goebbels' propaganda films, just the other way round. And yes: of course the hackneyed negative pastor treads his wife of course so rude and insensitive that it seems indeed totally natural that she willingly runs into the open arms of another human being at first sight or possibility. God save our souls from stereotype overflow. How can one bear such stupidity in a plot that just seems to aim at triggering certain feelings (serving as ideological carriers of certain worldviews) in the audience? So, all in all this undone film is because of its unused possibilities and despite the beauty of the two main actresses just another cliché-ridden display of idiocy in form of attempted manipulation of people's opinions. That would not be so grave if it could not be potentially disorientating for young people - or for the rather simple minded. Hell. It should have been really left undone.
Not a total waste of time.
jessicagrace-1388430 July 2023
Strange cutscenes. Ununiform story progression. It was unrealistic. Predictable. The music selection is obviously low budget. If it wasn't for the good acting this would be a total bust.
Who wrote this script and who changed it beyond recognition?
Is this a documentary? Is it a dogma? What is the writing style.
Took way too long to get to the passionate scenes.
The amount of times where the actors basically had to vocalize the plot instead of the story naturally unfolding was sickening.
I wasn't a fan of the pairing. Could've used more comedic relief.
The whole thing seemed like it was pulled out of a hat... no pun intended..
Who wrote this script and who changed it beyond recognition?
Is this a documentary? Is it a dogma? What is the writing style.
Took way too long to get to the passionate scenes.
The amount of times where the actors basically had to vocalize the plot instead of the story naturally unfolding was sickening.
I wasn't a fan of the pairing. Could've used more comedic relief.
The whole thing seemed like it was pulled out of a hat... no pun intended..
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