First of all, let us start with the "impression" Cyndie had before she saw the film. Told that this would be a hand-held camera, one or two take only film - she was expecting something like what we see at family made films. You know - shots of the floor and ceiling when the camera wasn't turned off -- out of focus - you get the picture...Thinking that most of us have attended one high school reunion - with the surprises, disappointments and meetings we have all taken part in - screenwriter Kimberly Shane O'Hara has captured that moment in time for all of us to shake our heads over.
Instead - we were impressed that with only two takes, the film had continuity. We were also very impressed with the acting. Keep in mind - two takes - and how well they pulled it off.
Also - Ms. O'Hara in her screenwriting -- captured a "snapshot" of time. Praise to all the actors, who embraced and captured, within that snapshot, a part of the character they played.
Well, as for Maxine's early impression -- she had read about dogma technique before seeing this screening, and preferred the old school of filming. She found the experience very interesting from the technical stand point but likes regular filming technique. She was impressed with the quality of the film -- considering it was done in 12 days, at 18 locations, with 39 sets and 22 actors. Tilden and the production crew did a brillant job. She did get the feeling from the Q&A session that Leif Tilden also preferred the old method of filming, when he was asked his thoughts of the dogma technique.
Rainer Judd, who plays Mindy, could sure turn on the waterworks - in two takes mind you. Mindy has her divorce finalized the day before her 20th reunion. Rainer Judd has a face that is so expressive that the viewer felt like she was witnessing a real event. Mindy worked and supported her now rich plastic surgeon husband through school. When he became successful, he left her for a younger woman. She has found a friend in alcohol and has a very strong bond with Margaret the mayor, who Mindy depends on for strength and courage. This actress reminded us of a young Meryl Streep and her timing and facial expressions made us want to see more of her.
Corey Glover, who plays Ty -- his "real" reunion is a reunion with a son he has never met. What used to be called a "notehead", he is married to music, being a performer, living that life. There is no room in that life for a serious relationship. Sometimes confronting the past and present changes a life course. We did not feel this would ever happen with Ty.
Marlene Forte, plays Margaret (the Mayor) of Ojai where the 20-year high school reunion takes place. The Mayor's opening practice welcome speech sets the tone for the movie. Married to a local senator, Margaret's career as the mayor of the small town is everything in her life. Very discreet in high school with her affairs -- you get the feeling Margaret "knows" most of the reunion members "intimately". Margaret seems to have it all together but who doesn't stop long enough to see herself.
Andres Faucher plays JC, a man who has lost his brother, Brian. We got the feeling Brian was the one who held this group together during school years and his working at the pizza shop gave them a place to meet and talk. The younger brother is now spending his life trying to "be" his brother by buying the old pizza shop and running it... but not doing a too good job at it - since his main occupation is getting high on cocaine.
Dwier Brown, who plays Patrick, comes home to tell his Dad two things -- that he has left the service and will not make it a career -- and that he is gay. He has decisions to make but we were happy to see that the movie did not turn into a "gay" issue movie. Like reality - this was something that just was - and the characters were left to deal with this in the future. The chemistry between the father and son in this film with the father having been a career soldier and the son who was forced to leave because he told he was gay is very moving. But the question is move on to what and as who?
*** (an aside)Dwier Brown lives and runs a theatre company with his wife in Ojai Ca.
Steven Gilborn plays George the father of Patrick. We found their work together very believable. His character is a retired career soldier and he also knows about his son's personal lifestyle and it was moving to see them come together as a father and son.
Jennifer Rubin plays Jeanie, who no one remembers in high school. Of course now Jeanie is a world-traveled professional photographer and very successful - so noone can understand why they could not remember her. The geek, the nerd, the loner, call it what you want everyone can relate to this character, you either were the character or knew one. The reality of who she is as they are all sitting around is very interesting as the different characters come to terms with it. Jennifer mentioned during the Q&A that she prefers a script and a controlled work enviroment, she was very uncomfortable playing a world famous photographer and hoped she pulled it off.
Billy Wirth plays Brad - The Golden Boy, the one most likely to have the world at his feet 20 years ago. Instead -- and we have all seen this in reality many times -- Brad feels he is a disappointment. Instead of taking on the world, he drives a city bus in San Francisco, is unmarried, has few friends, and is still unable to make commitments in life. He has managed to avoid previous reunions and is still not sure why he attended this one. The first person he runs into is "Jeanie", who tries to tell him they went to school together, he cannot seem to place her and they decide to tour the town and jar their memories.
Billy did mention in the Q&A sessions that he had gone back to his 10 year reunion and drew from that experience for Brad. He felt he had not obtained his goals, and was missing something in his life when he looked around at fellow classmates who were now bankers, company presidents, had families, and he was still working in LA trying to a total success.
The real reunion for these people takes place, not at the formal gathering - but at the Pizza Place where the characters learn that how much time goes by - some things never change while other things change so dramatically it seems that some people were living another lifetime altogether.
This would be a great dvd or television movie, especially if what was included would be some of the behind the scenes extras and a take on the director's view of doing this kind of avant garde experimental way of filming.
To really appreciate the way and wherefor of character development - see the Production Notes portion at the Reunion Website with actor commentaries to their character and how it relates to reality. Most interesting is the character's stories - their past and how the actors stayed true to them.
Reunion Home Page | Reunion Photos from Q&A
cg 11/05