The Lather Effect

2006 "Sometimes the only way to get over your past is to re-live it."
5.9| 1h35m| PG-13| en
Details

On the eve of selling her mother's house, a thirty-something housewife wakes up to a hangover surrounded by her best friends from high school...

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Reviews

Spoonixel Amateur movie with Big budget
RipDelight This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
Tyreece Hulme One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.
Mustang92 I was hoping this would be a good movie, but was quite disappointed. There is absolutely no story here, no story arc, no character arcs, no real beginning, middle, end. The movie takes place over a 24 hour period, and is just a group of 9 people talking the entire movie. Where's the conflict? Where's the tension? The drama?There is none. Well, one conflict (a lukewarm one) but it comes very late in the movie, perhaps 70- 75 minutes in. And the way that conflict is handled was poorly directed. Here's why: We learn that the Valinda and Jack characters were manipulated to break up, back in high school. Supposedly they really dug each other, yet they were torn apart by a lie told to each of them by someone (another person at this weekend party). Okay, so as the truth comes out, Valinda leaves the scene greatly upset. (She's married now to another person, who's present this weekend and during this scene.) So, 2 issues here: One, this was 18 or so years ago, would she really get this upset, given she's well set in her current life, presumably happily married and all? Well, let's give the writer/director of this movie the benefit of the doubt and say 'yes.' Fine. BUT THEN shortly thereafter, Jack finds her at some empty stadium somewhere (presumably the school stadium), sits next to her and they talk. Then he kisses her and... she doesn't feel anything reawakening. They try it again. Nothing. Pulleease.If Valinda is going to be all upset 18 years later that the love of her life back then hadn't truly dumped her, we're supposed to believe that she'd feel nothing when they kiss? Are you frickin' kidding me? Where's the logic of this character? Or the emotional logic of this character? This is either a REALLY bad story point, or really bad directing here.Overall, this movie is boring. There is just nothing happening throughout. These first or second- time writer/directors need to learn story structure, or the importance of conflict and character development. 9 actors on screen telling stories from the past does not hook the audience in to them emotionally, or to the story. Clearly they had distribution issues (i.e., they couldn't get distribution), and that is due to the story. Anchor Bay released this movie on DVD (there was no theatrical release), and when Anchor Bay releases a direct-to-DVD movie, you know it usually sucks. It got a release because of the names in the movie. I don't mean to be brutal. This filmmaker has potential, I think, but she needs to learn how to write, if she's going to direct her own scripts.One last note. Lot of music used in the movie, stuff we've all heard from the past. But the music isn't used to its best effect throughout the movie, so... note to the filmmaker again: You need to learn how to use the music better in your movies. Or hire a better music editor. This didn't even come close to the way Cameron Crowe or Quentin Tarantino uses music in their movies. You had a ton of good music, and it surely cost a lot to pay for those licenses, so use the music effectively! And better!
andrewmayer This film is hilarious. I saw it at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, and the audience was laughing all the way through. The casting was excellent, which led to a totally believable ensemble that gave the script an authentic rendering. One felt as if they were at the party, as if it was a real enactment of a great weekend in one's life - you know, a party that actually reveals some important "lessons" in life. The screenplay was honest and direct, fast-paced and layered. I was especially impressed by the first-time director, who also wrote the script. She has a talent for crafting the plot so that there is a lot going on without losing the cohesion of the story, and bringing in cameos that added even more enjoyment. The title may need to be rethought, but thats relatively easy. Maybe just "Lather" will do, because thats the feeling that I got, that yummy moment in the shower when the lather is all whipped up and feels so good.
sishick-1 Caught this movie at the St. Louis International Film Festival, and loved it! The cast was great with Eric Stolz giving the best performance in my opinion. The movie starts the day after a big blow out party. Our core group of friends are facing the task of cleaning up the house and revisiting all the highlights from the night before. I'm sure it may hit home with people in their mid thirties - am I where (or with whom) I should be? What would my life have been like if past events happened differently? In the end we realize that sometimes you have to revisit the past in order to appreciate your present and move on to your future. The director was at the festival and was great with the Q&A after the screening. I hope this movie will get picked up for a wider release. Good Luck!
jkennedymo I saw this movie last night at the St. Louis International Film Festival. It was a great film from a terrific idea. Writer/director Sarah Kelly was on hand to answer questions. She said she wanted to make a sort-of follow up to The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, to see what happens to those kids 20 years later, and based it on an actual party that she had. In the movie, there is a lot of angst and longing for high school, along with hilarious lines, fashions and outstanding music. The stars are great - I usually think William Mapother is a bit creepy (even before his character on Lost) but he's really good in this role. It made me laugh a lot, tear up once, miss high school, miss my brother, miss my friends and want to dance. Please go see it, wherever you have the chance. It's a great movie for the Gen X crowd, and everyone else.