Variety Reunion Review- 2

REUNION (DOGME #17)

Written By: Gunnar Rehlin for Variety. Feb. 2, 2001

An O'Hara/Klein production. (International sales: O'Hara/Klein, Encino, Calif.) Produced by Kimberley Shane O'Hara, Eric M. Klein.
Directed by Leif Tilden.
Screenplay, Kimberley Shane O'Hara.
Camera (color), Patricia Vanover; editor, Gabor Szitanyi.
Reviewed at Gothenburg Film Festival, Sweden, Feb. 2, 2001. Running time: 93 MIN. With: Dwier Brown, Marlene Forte, Andres Faucher, Corey Glover, Rainer Judd, Jennifer Rubin, Billy Wirth, Steven Gilborn.

Billed as the first American Dogma film, "Reunion (Dogme #17)," the debut feature from Swedish-born helmer Leif Tilden, is uneven but promising. Featuring a largely unknown but talented cast, pic tells of a class reunion almost two decades after high school graduation. Low-budgeter manages to create a couple of interesting portraits, as well as tackle subjects like the passing of time, what happens to one's dreams and how easy it is to fall back into old patterns of behavior. Festivals could sign up for this.

Among those assembling in their hometown is a soldier, who disappoints his father by announcing he's quitting the army. Another graduate, who stayed behind, is now a drug addict running a small restaurant. Main focus is on Jeanie (Jennifer Rubin, excellent), who no one has heard about for years and who is now a successful photographer. As the viewers get to know the various characters, the party turns out to be something other than what they expected. Pic stays fairly true to the Dogma "vows," but strays a couple of times, notably when a song overlaps several edits. (Strictly, only direct sound should be used.)

copyright Variety 2001

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