A Relative Thing

I really liked this movie. I thought it was very honest and meaningful. I was pleasantly surprised. I saw this film at the Palm Springs Festival and at one point which I can't mention without giving away an important part of the plot – All the sound drifts down and the audience was absolutely silent and you could feel how everyone, not only myself, was entirely suspended in that moment and enraptured with the film. The direction was right on as was the cinematography and the music and not to mention kudos to the actors for being such a wonderful ensemble. I was fortunate to catch this in a theater and happened upon it when I purchased the BEST OF THE FEST package sold at Nordstrom's where I saw it on DVD. I would love to see it in a theater again though.

I had the great fortune of not only seeing this film at the Seattle International Film Festival, but also meeting the writer and many of the other cast and crew members at that event. The movie itself was emotional and touching. It very accurately showed how death can change not only a person but an entire family, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. It reaffirms the importance of family and shows how sometimes it takes a tragedy to make people overcome their differences. I was very touched by the bond between the youngest sister and the brother closest to her age... it was very true and real to life. Job Well Done!

Overall the film was good. The Cinematography was awesome. Direction was incredible. The acting was very good, especially Marie Ruben(Gwenny), she is a very talented actress. The choice of music I think fits the film nicely. Editing was well done, nice rhythm and pacing. Being a screenwriter myself, there are only a few things in the structure and plot that I would change. Other than that, it was very well done. It was a great story. It struck an emotional connection and chord with me.

While I agree with the reviewer below, (the acting was top notch, especially Marie Rubin) I found the pacing of the film incredibly and awfully slow. They could of edited this film way better!!! The cinematography was excellent, if boring at times. The story was, well, depressing and sappy at times. I could see this being bought as an Lifetime TV film, for thats what it feels like. It never really lets up.Its not intense, but its just depressing. The film really doesn't try to catch your attention, and lags. In the beginning it starts really cheerful and you think it is going to be a family film. Then it goes through not one, but two turns for the worse. Then there is family drama of the past thrown in and the current drama mixes together and your end for a long movie. At least it haves a bittersweet ending.

I had the chance to see it at the Phoenix Film Festival. Frankly, I never have high expectations as such events. Pleasantly surprised! Stunning cinematography, wonderful music, excellent direction, quality acting - overall, a very good film. I laughed and cried exactly when the screenwriter and director wanted me to.

Only one weakness, in my opinion, and that was the acting of the man who lives on the property (sorry, can't remember his name). He only had a few lines of dialogue (one of which was critical to the story) but he had a stilted delivery, or perhaps it was the pitch of his voice -- whatever, it sounded hollow. I believe he was somehow involved in the production and this "cameo" was a little fun.