Gripping. LOVED this especially the acting by the amazing Hoyt Richards. Highly recommend!
8 Reviews
wow
anniet-8333216 June 2018
Great indie
sara-mcdermott16 March 2017
Loved it, and loved the atmosphere of the unique little town. I was completely sucked into the story and, most importantly, the relationship that developed between the two main characters. I knew things weren't going to go smoothly, but all the same, was totally seduced into this sexy, thriller-esque romance. This was a world that I 100% enjoyed being in for 90 minutes.
Predictable, Derivative, Waste of Time
bettyguertler3 February 2016
This is a classic case of just because you have some money doesn't mean you should make a movie. I don't know what these folks wanted to accomplish with this nonsense. When the entire tragic moment that drives the lead into this story rests on the simple solution of "just put the strap behind you and keep the lap part on" you're off to a bad start. I suppose many lives are changed by missing one simple thing that could have saved them, but this was so mind numbingly lame I just groaned.
Speaking of mind numbing, the story is so predictable it's embarrassing. You see every turn coming from a mile away. Not only is it predictable, it is derivative of so many other films that it's sad to think of all the people who wasted their money financing this drivel.
The casting is so basic it is yet another thing that makes this film so horribly boring. Casting against type might have saved this a little bit. It still would be a stupid movie, but maybe it would have had some interesting actors to watch. Instead they are so on the face standard they may as well just have been blurry Caucasian figures.
One thing I didn't think of until I overheard someone else mention it was that all the female characters are horrible people. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever and at least one or two really could have. Did the wife really have to be such an unhelpful and selfish nag? Couldn't the flower lady have been a sweetheart? They honestly did nothing to help propel or serve the story, so why treat them with such a chauvinistic hand? If the Bechdel Test is something you consider, this film fails spectacularly.
This film has played quite a few festivals (that's where I saw it) and the only reason I can see as to why is it at times has somewhat high production value for an indie. But when you think of all the potentially interesting stories they could have told in this sleepy town, full of quirky and interesting characters and distressed looks, you just hate that they wasted their time on this and you just wasted 90 minutes of your life. Your 90 minutes are better spent elsewhere.
Speaking of mind numbing, the story is so predictable it's embarrassing. You see every turn coming from a mile away. Not only is it predictable, it is derivative of so many other films that it's sad to think of all the people who wasted their money financing this drivel.
The casting is so basic it is yet another thing that makes this film so horribly boring. Casting against type might have saved this a little bit. It still would be a stupid movie, but maybe it would have had some interesting actors to watch. Instead they are so on the face standard they may as well just have been blurry Caucasian figures.
One thing I didn't think of until I overheard someone else mention it was that all the female characters are horrible people. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever and at least one or two really could have. Did the wife really have to be such an unhelpful and selfish nag? Couldn't the flower lady have been a sweetheart? They honestly did nothing to help propel or serve the story, so why treat them with such a chauvinistic hand? If the Bechdel Test is something you consider, this film fails spectacularly.
This film has played quite a few festivals (that's where I saw it) and the only reason I can see as to why is it at times has somewhat high production value for an indie. But when you think of all the potentially interesting stories they could have told in this sleepy town, full of quirky and interesting characters and distressed looks, you just hate that they wasted their time on this and you just wasted 90 minutes of your life. Your 90 minutes are better spent elsewhere.
Too Predictable
larrys329 August 2019
Unfortunately, I just found this B-movie type film to be filled with banal dialogue and a highly predictable storyline. That is until what I would describe as a most absurd ending.
The acting here, with leads Hoyt Richards and Anabella Casanova. is solid enough to impart believable characters, but the script is just too weak, in my opinion.
The acting here, with leads Hoyt Richards and Anabella Casanova. is solid enough to impart believable characters, but the script is just too weak, in my opinion.
Was Going to Give Better Rating Until...
noj-857518 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
So yeah, let's let the psychopath out of jail to ruin other little old ladies who could be you, your mother or whoever in their frail years. It was a decent movie until the final scene where he didn't sign the complaint. Sometimes it is about the story....Somehow I don't think Harper Lee's story was to encourage letting psychopaths back out on the street to destroy lonely and ALONE old womens lives. Or doesn't that matter? How dare they make a mockery of Harper Lee's....Oh wait!!! Mockery, mocking bir.....Oh forget it. Probably wasted....
Classic film noir set in California
kimkeltner-296633 June 2018
This movie was a beautiful surprise. I loved the hard, bright sunlight throughout the film which disguised the shadowy emotions going on below the surface. The two main actors have great chemistry, too. The best way to see this movie is to not know anything about it going in. I'm glad I watched it!
Love this story
ClaireMiller2229 February 2016
Brilliant acting! Also really enjoyed the cinematography of this film. It's a story we all can identify with which makes it that much more powerful. It explores the lengths at which we humans go to to feel safe or happy or redeemed. The ending is the best part!I especially enjoyed the bartender's character and the quirky flower business owner. The opening establishing shots were my favorite and I love the town they chose to set the film in. In reference to what the previous reviewer said, I disagree that this film portrays women badly. I think it shows that we are all human and have faults - as men and women. The overlying theme of "To Kill a Mockingbird" fit very well and added a nice layer of complexity to the film. With the recent loss of Harper Lee, this film is all the more relevant today and we're lucky to have it.
Response to previous review
Skipyou29 February 2016
The previous reviewer obviously has some serious issues. For one, they clearly don't know how much of an effort goes into making a feature film. Many people talk the talk, but can't walk the walk. Steady Betty is clearly one of those people who loves to hate on something or someone, cause they have nothing better to do. Also, how does Steady Betty know the filmmaker/filmmakers had some money to make a film? That they weren't given the money by producers who believed in their talent? Sounds like Steady Betty is claiming to know a lot about the filmmaker, when she doesn't? Hmmm. I guess proof is in the pudding Steady Betty, with the number of awards the film is getting. Or wait, are you going to suggest the filmmaker/filmmakers paid for those awards? Haha! Anyway, I thought the film was AMAZING and has a powerful message! You really need to need to see this film! I watched it via the Boston Independent Film Festival and the audience gave it such a positive reaction, that it went on to win Best Narrative Feature. Ignore haters like Steady Betty because that's all they can do is hate. Stick to the the facts, which is the number of awards this film is receiving. Let's see Steady Bitter Betty try to go out and raise money to make a film and then actually make one. Haha!
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