Wild Honey

Mercifully, Wild Honey is not the self-consciously quirky tale the trailer suggests. Instead, this modest film is the engaging story of a woman who has never fit neatly into categories and, without any picturesque eccentricities, comes across as entirely authentic.

I was pleasantly surprised by the originality of Wild Honey. It's sweet without being coy, and, refreshingly, it doesn't go where you expect it to.

Rusty Schwimmer is a joy as Gabby, and gives real depth to this "ordinary" person. Todd Stashwick (Vince) is, as always, excellent, despite the cliches written for his character, and Timothy Omundson makes Martin wholly believable. Didn't buy Stephne Weir as Rusty's sister -- she's supposed to be 2 years younger than Gabby but looks 10 years older, and overacts Esther's brittleness.

There's a great deal of gentle humor in Wild Honey -- gentle, but not sentimental -- and some unintentional humor as well. Gabby, Martin, and Vince all apparently learned to toke up from Bill Clinton: They all smoke their joints exactly like cigarettes, every time, every scene: one short draw and one second later exhaling a big puff of smoke. You wonder how they ever got high.

It might sound strange to say that this movie has realistic characters, when the situation is unrealistic.. Don't stop working out Melissa. But this movie is about flawed people, sensitive people wounded by their childhoods and adolescence, who haven't adapted well. It's funny, the acting is excellent and as an older man I can understand how someone who is down, would grab on to someone he normally wouldn't be attracted to.

I gave it an 8, because I didn't like the ending and I would have liked a little better character development.

Writer/Director: Francis Stokes, has a truly delightful winner with this light hearted comedy of adults facing their misdirected lives and coming to terms with themselves.

Everyone in the cast seems natural in their role which helps this simple but fun story progress too quickly. I adore Rusty Schwimmer as Gabby deciding to break out of her dead end rut and pursue the person that sparked her passion. Her adventure from frozen winter Chicago to sunny warm L.A. will keep you involved and caring for her to find happiness.

You can't go wrong catching this film!

I had the pleasure of seeing this indie at Cinequest. Wonderful writing, wonderful acting. Hilarious and heartfelt. Check it out wherever you can.

I wasn't expecting this movie to be so genuinely funny, but it was. The main character isn't the typical actress usually cast in romantic comedy movies, but it was nice seeing someone so relatable on screen.