This is a really slow paced film. The story is a bit predictable but I felt the actors did a great job and the nature settings were really appealing. Had the pace been a bit quicker I might have given it a higher score. If you are planning to watch it just be prepared for a slow film.
12 Reviews
Odd, but interesting, little flick
stsinger11 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Unintended" is an odd little flick. Movies like this typically start with our protagonist having mental issues, and the film then slowly unfolds what happened to cause them. This one is different. It starts Lea as a young girl living with her parents in the country. She has a little treehouse hiding place and an older man who is her friend. The family is moving away, and she overhears her parents arguing about getting a divorce. Just before leaving she runs out to get something and ends up in a scuffle with a local boy, and the boy ends up falling down into a hole. Lea runs and tells anyone she can find -- the boy's mother, her parents -- but nobody believes her and eventually she has a little seizure and her parents take her away.
Cut to recent time. Lea, now grown up, has some serious mental issues and cannot totally remember what happened. Her father tries to convince her to go back to their old home with him, and eventually she agrees. Then the first really odd thing happens, when they drive back he, literally, just drops her off in the middle of the road, they hug and he says, "Call me if you get a chance." I mean, I had thought that she was going to stay with him, but OK. So she drives to her old friend's house, and then she gets a complete recollection of what happens and freaks out that she was responsible for the boy's death. Her friend comments, quite reasonably, that if a local boy had gone missing or died, it would have been a big deal and he would have heard about it. But Lea is determined to find out for herself...
As I said, an odd little flick. Showing us what happened in advance sort of dulls what you would normally expect to be the "big reveal" and the inital big mystery is pretty obvious (and, unfortunately, the IMDB credits give it away) so it's good that they sort of "get it out of the way" at the start. But Lea's motivation is hard to really understand, and the major revelations and "surprises" are all about a character that, quite frankly, we don't care about.
The cast is pretty good. Elizabeth Lail is, as usual, charming and vulnerable and really makes us root for her. I also definitely liked that what looked to be one of the forced "romances" never happened. It's s little slow, and not a whole lot happens so if you're looking for an action packed thrilled, look elsewhere. But as a decent low budget flick, there are a lot worse ways to spend 90 minutes.
Cut to recent time. Lea, now grown up, has some serious mental issues and cannot totally remember what happened. Her father tries to convince her to go back to their old home with him, and eventually she agrees. Then the first really odd thing happens, when they drive back he, literally, just drops her off in the middle of the road, they hug and he says, "Call me if you get a chance." I mean, I had thought that she was going to stay with him, but OK. So she drives to her old friend's house, and then she gets a complete recollection of what happens and freaks out that she was responsible for the boy's death. Her friend comments, quite reasonably, that if a local boy had gone missing or died, it would have been a big deal and he would have heard about it. But Lea is determined to find out for herself...
As I said, an odd little flick. Showing us what happened in advance sort of dulls what you would normally expect to be the "big reveal" and the inital big mystery is pretty obvious (and, unfortunately, the IMDB credits give it away) so it's good that they sort of "get it out of the way" at the start. But Lea's motivation is hard to really understand, and the major revelations and "surprises" are all about a character that, quite frankly, we don't care about.
The cast is pretty good. Elizabeth Lail is, as usual, charming and vulnerable and really makes us root for her. I also definitely liked that what looked to be one of the forced "romances" never happened. It's s little slow, and not a whole lot happens so if you're looking for an action packed thrilled, look elsewhere. But as a decent low budget flick, there are a lot worse ways to spend 90 minutes.
A search for resolution
biljao25819 November 2019
This low-key drama involves elements of mystery as a young woman struggles with years of devastation and despair from a childhood incident. She is now in a seriously disturbed state and seems to be facing incipient mental breakdown. The story traces her ordeal with fears, disbelief from others and thwarted memories. Technically the film is very well made and shot (with the DP making the most of the beautiful Hudson Valley scenery). There are excellent performances from the lead players and cast. Elizabeth Lail and Hannah Westerfield are remarkably convincing as the 'older' and 'younger' versions of the main character. The movie is not a thriller or action drama and there are a few stretched coincidences in the plot but overall it holds together as a credible and satisfying story.
Pain from past
ks-605001 January 2020
I wonder who pay money for shooting such films
sonjabjelica21 December 2019
Is it possible that in a small city no one noticed that a man disappeared for twelve years? And no one believed in her story after she came home late in the evening and collapsed?
I give one star for the scenography, the only one thing worth of attention in this movie.
Wast of time. So sorry one and a half hour spent on it.
Beautiful and impressive Movie
cassisbstaudt19 May 2020
A friend made me see this film and I am really glad! Remember a time when you see a movie and it has such an impact that you were smitten with it for some time? And in that moment you forget about your daily life?This is one of those extraordinary films. Beautiful cinematography, great music and an evocative, dramatic story about life - about living life and how things can really happen. The lead Elizabeth Lail is great within a stellar cast. I like especially the soundtrack a lot as it matches the atmosphere so well. An amazing story about life in an outstanding atmosphere. Uh and the location is a find: Ellenville! If you like a sensitive film with a delicate touch check this out!
Unintended intentionally superb!
sjanders-8643017 October 2020
The script, acting, and photography are tops. Such a delight to discover something so good. I can't think of a mis step here. It flows so well. The first jump into the quarry awakened my interest. A brave girl jumps, and the boy goes home. Characters are provocative without being weird. Like Sam an older man who cares about a young girl, but not in a bad way. The landscape is green and untouched.
Great movie
dearjenny-6058622 September 2020
It's spacious and elegant, reminds me of Days of Heaven.
Gorgeous cinematography, that elevates Ellenville, New York to a dream-scape.
There's an innocence play, with a nice Hitchcock twist to the story.
Excellent in every way.
Rarely will you see an indie movie match the caliber of a classic Hollywood this way.
There's an innocence play, with a nice Hitchcock twist to the story.
Excellent in every way.
Rarely will you see an indie movie match the caliber of a classic Hollywood this way.
Inventive and well crafted story, Beautiful photography
cporzioshoot10 November 2019
The best stories are those that lead the reader, listener or viewer in a way that mimics the unpredictable nature of life. Unintended does just that. Various narratives coalesce into a thread that cathartically resolves itself in unique and suspenseful circumstances. Writing, acting, cinematography and score all well done !
this is a soothing marvel
ops-525358 November 2019
Of a film, not very sensational, but an unimagineable rewarding one and a half hour of auditorial and emotional featherlike sweeps on your senses.
most of all i will praise the score, it is now shuffeled into my top 10 list of filmscores, its a relaxing floating hum in the background that gives the film the bouyancy to float all the way to the end.
the story is a kind of flashback told story, about a happy childhood that abruptly changes into something bad and unended. this creates a nightmarish life to the main caracter, who seeks back to her roots to make an end to her traits of life. i will not tell how its going, but just say that its interesting .
the story is a fine one, but the plot couldve been better sewn together, especially on the major transitions of the film.i think the director and editor mustve had a rush on their shoulders to finish this product, but that is the only flaw i can come up with.
for the dramaqueens and scoreseekers this is a hit in the bullseye, the grumpy old man were totally lost , and what remains is just a higly recommend.
most of all i will praise the score, it is now shuffeled into my top 10 list of filmscores, its a relaxing floating hum in the background that gives the film the bouyancy to float all the way to the end.
the story is a kind of flashback told story, about a happy childhood that abruptly changes into something bad and unended. this creates a nightmarish life to the main caracter, who seeks back to her roots to make an end to her traits of life. i will not tell how its going, but just say that its interesting .
the story is a fine one, but the plot couldve been better sewn together, especially on the major transitions of the film.i think the director and editor mustve had a rush on their shoulders to finish this product, but that is the only flaw i can come up with.
for the dramaqueens and scoreseekers this is a hit in the bullseye, the grumpy old man were totally lost , and what remains is just a higly recommend.
Poetry in The Making
school.girl20 April 2020
This fine crafted jewel takes the viewer back into their own childhood memories of lost and forgotten worlds, adventures and phantasies.
The uniformity of it, like the heartbeat of an unborn child, transfers the audience to a place of beauty and nature, but also pain, violence and unfaithfulness.
Real world conundrums are intertwined with the quest for truth and forgiveness, which leads to a restless race against self-inflicted quilt, drug abuse and unwanted memories.
A scenic experience in which character and integrity are questioned, but also honesty and loyalty is found.
The uniformity of it, like the heartbeat of an unborn child, transfers the audience to a place of beauty and nature, but also pain, violence and unfaithfulness.
Real world conundrums are intertwined with the quest for truth and forgiveness, which leads to a restless race against self-inflicted quilt, drug abuse and unwanted memories.
A scenic experience in which character and integrity are questioned, but also honesty and loyalty is found.
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