Myth of the American Sleepover by SHINYGOODGUY

CINEMA

Myth of the American Sleepover

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POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Saturday, September 17, 2011 23:53
SHORT URL: http://bit.ly/qyWEzP
VIEWED: 3182
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011 6:47 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

Sorry guys, I forgot who mentioned this movie to me. I think it was in the Best of 2011, So Far thread.
Anyways, I rented it about a week or so ago. Well, it was interesting because I felt like a fly on the wall
eavesdropping on these teens, it was almost like a documentary. The pacing was excrutiatingly slow, unlike most American movies today, and some of the actors (hell, most) were feeling their way around.

There was a brief moment when I almost turned it off, but I thought ot myself "any minute now" and kept watching.
One of the main reasons I didn't, or couldn't, turn away was Claire Sloma (the young actress who played Maggie).
In this film she was dangerous, mischievous, flirty and innocent all rolled up into one and on display almost simultaneously. She was head and shoulders above the rest of the cast, dynamic, intriguing yet vulnerable. She will be going places, she's that good. Needless to say I couldn't wait for her part of the story to be presented.

The other actors that I thought did a good job were also of the female persuasion. The twins were very good and Maggie girl buddy (the one with the glasses).She had a small part but I thought she did a very credible job. The film meandered a bit too much for me, but it had elements that were outstanding. There was the scene in the supermarket with the main boy and the cool blond (it reminded me of American Grafitti). That scene had excellent pace and was beautifully shot, so much was going on there. It made the payoff scene with those two characters all the more poignant. So many filmmakers make the mistake of glossing over such scenes and, consequently, completely botch the set up. I saw that and I was ok this is something good. It's what kept me watching. Like I said above, it almost lost me because of the pacing. Yes, I did think that maybe it was shot that way deliberately, but there were enough shiny moments that redeemed the director and his vision started to make sense. But for me the ladies stole the show. The story with the twins was interesting and well shot, solidly acted and picked up the pace of the movie for me. The twins can act; both of them.

I know, I'm all over the place, but my excuse is it's been a week since I saw it. Not bad for a first try.

SGG

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011 7:11 AM

OPPYH

Quote:
Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
The pacing was excrutiatingly slow, unlike most American movies today, and some of the actors (hell, most) were feeling their way around.

There was a brief moment when I almost turned it off, but I thought ot myself "any minute now" and kept watching.
One of the main reasons I didn't, or couldn't, turn away was Claire Sloma (the young actress who played Maggie).
In this film she was dangerous, mischievous, flirty and innocent all rolled up into one and on display almost simultaneously. She was head and shoulders above the rest of the cast, dynamic, intriguing yet vulnerable. She will be going places, she's that good. Needless to say I couldn't wait for her part of the story to be presented.

Sorry I didn't warn you about the pacing. It is a very slow film, and not a whole lot happens....except with Maggie. You are so right about Claire Sloma, as she is why I ranked it so high. Over the course of the film you can see her turn from just another unsure teen, to someone in love. First love. The film captured it perfectly, and it helped a lot that she reminded me of my first girlfriend. I identified with the film.

----------------------------------------------------------------

70's TV FOREVER

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Saturday, September 17, 2011 11:53 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

Hey Oppyh,

I had a reply the other day (I believe it was Thursday), but for some reason it vanished. Basically it was this:
In regards to the pacing of the film and Claire Sloma (Maggie). The pacing, I felt, detracted from the overall film, but parts of it were outstanding(as I had mentioned before). I felt compelled to say more about Claire Sloma though:
It's true..........

"Over the course of the film you can see her turn from just another unsure teen, to someone in love. First love."

Oh my friend, but it was much more; she was playful and mischievous but generous to her fellow actors by giving them
a foothold, substance from her character. IMHO there was only one that kept pace with her performance, that was her buddy in the film (I forget the character's name), the girl with the glasses. I liked her perf as well. You're right, you could see her development through the movie, because she devoured the script and brought Maggie to life. You could see she was completely uninhibited, free and committed but never showed a sign that she was "playing" a part. She looked like she was having fun, totally immersed and unpredictable in her choices. She was sexy without being lewd, innocent yet naughty, I didn't get the feeling that she was lost. I got the feeling that she was experimenting and exploring her sensuality, but with a purposeful sense of who she was. Much like an astronaut traveling to the moon to discover how he would react to the reduced gravitational pull.

I found her exciting to watch. I almost wanted to see it again just to see her perf. I went as far to see what else she had done in film. Not much, but that will change. She will no longer be a secret, I think. The film felt complete at the end and I was glad the director chose to bring it full circle back to Maggie. In fact, she should have been the main character throughout.

SGG

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