This film is well produced, especially well acted, and well directed but none of the plot rings true. There is absolutely nothing ambiguous about the plot even though a big plot point could use a little mystery. Every little piece of plot is nicely wrapped up by the end of the film and we're meant to feel all warm and cuddly at the end.
It owes entirely too much to films like Diner where there's an older narrator that is the main character (and presumably the screenwriter),and the end credits feature the now clichéd "where are they now" updates that are meant to provoke laughs. The young characters are all clichés without any originality -- they come strictly from the Stand By Me, etc., etc. template.
Ed Harris and Amy Madigan are fine in their roles and actually bring more to the film than what is on the page. Chase Ellison, the lead, is a likable actor who shows signs of becoming a better actor and heartthrob. Alexander Walters survives nicely despite his prosthetic ears, and Daniel Yelsky, as the last of the young featured players has an excellent bead on his character.
There's a song in this film that is supposedly made up by one of the characters. It's pretty terrible which actually works when the neophyte songwriting character sings it. But then it appears over the end credits as if it's a good song -- which it ain't.
All in all this film has not a moment of truth in it. Too bad since the cast is trying their best and are completely immersed in the material.
It owes entirely too much to films like Diner where there's an older narrator that is the main character (and presumably the screenwriter),and the end credits feature the now clichéd "where are they now" updates that are meant to provoke laughs. The young characters are all clichés without any originality -- they come strictly from the Stand By Me, etc., etc. template.
Ed Harris and Amy Madigan are fine in their roles and actually bring more to the film than what is on the page. Chase Ellison, the lead, is a likable actor who shows signs of becoming a better actor and heartthrob. Alexander Walters survives nicely despite his prosthetic ears, and Daniel Yelsky, as the last of the young featured players has an excellent bead on his character.
There's a song in this film that is supposedly made up by one of the characters. It's pretty terrible which actually works when the neophyte songwriting character sings it. But then it appears over the end credits as if it's a good song -- which it ain't.
All in all this film has not a moment of truth in it. Too bad since the cast is trying their best and are completely immersed in the material.