It's not a bad first effort given the budget and so on. But it is very muddled and a couple of the actors were not great in it. There is a huge novelty factor in watching Amber, James and Andy do something different. And personally, I think the best scene was where James and Andy had that conversation on the park bench, however Amber had the guts to do it and she does shine in the movie.

Didn't know Emma was supposed to be in the movie. And after reading the review I think I will rewatch it this week.

Simon | May 10, 14:22 CET

It's interesting to also note that Nick Brendon's wife plays the corpse at the beginning of the movie...I haven't seen it yet, but it does make me want to see the movie, just to see what it is like.

mchan | May 10, 14:51 CET

The reviewer's problem with the non-linear narritive is actually what I liked about the film. I think of it more as a sketchbook or a collection of memories of wondering how you got to a certain point than traditional storytelling. There is a lot going on with the structure, the singing trubador, Chance directly addressing the camera, etc., but I think it's a good start given the limitations. It has an intimate feel, as if you were making a home movie that happened to have Amber Benson and James Marsters in it. I knew Emma's part had to be recast but I didn't know why or which role it was. She would have been great as the father's girlfriend because the character is kind of a ditzy Jean Harlow type and Emma reminds me of the screwball comedy actresses of the 30's. I don't know if all the actor's performances are under control. That could be the acting itself, the writing, direction or possibly everyone having their own ideas and trying to experiment a little. I sometimes thought Amber seemed to rush her lines or seemed a little self-conscious in her delivery and then I read this:

"... when I originally wrote it, I first of all did not write it for me to be in. I wrote it kind of thinking of other people because, you know, she’s so alien to how I go about my life. I’ m nothing like her. I’ m much more Simon. Simon is me. Like with all the counting – I’m an obsessive counter, the ceiling dots, it makes me feel connected and nice and safe to count. The countdown thing, while he waits in front of the micro-wave oven: I get bored, so it gives me something to do. And I’m constantly going: uh, do I smell funny? All the little quirks of Simon. He’s me. James is me. He really did a nice job there being me. I felt: That’s me, yeah."

Directing would be hard enough without having to act in it, so I guess she's allowed to be a little distracted. Chance is not the most sympathetic of characters, so it was bold to make her the protagonist. I don't think the film would appeal to everyone, but I've watched it three times now and each time I notice humorous details I had missed before and know the storyline if it had just gone from point A to B. And I'm finally used to James having a California accent. I know Amber and a lot of other people put a lot of hard work into this project and I wanted to support that. And I agree with Simon that it's fun to watch Andy, Amber and James be someone else.

bloodflowers | May 10, 16:37 CET

wish i had $45.00.
anyways, since some of you guys have seen the movie, do you have the lyrics to joss whedon's song that's mentioned in the article?

rsfayez | May 11, 01:08 CET