Kimberly

"Kimberly" tells of an SWF (Anwar) who is recruited as a coxswain by a four man rowing team. This simple minded story follows the four relationships which ensue. Fraught with inferiority in all aspects, "Kimberly" is a waste of time for all but the most diehard romantic comedy junkies. The script is unimaginative, the screen play amateurish, and the only believable actor is Anwar with the rest mechanically going through one silly scenario after another. Contrived, predictable, naive, silly, etc. In a word, just plain lame.

She is all of 29 as this movie was released but often looks 10 years younger! It's pleasant to see her using her real accent too.

This movie about 'senior' (mature) men's rowing does include some worthwhile details of the sport but most of the time the teams are just idling and Kimberly as coxswain is usually at the point of picking up their pace.

Perhaps less well known is that the competition rowing season does indeed take place in autumn - which means these rowers are going out in November in Philadelphia (about 35-40 degrees in the early morning). Many movies won't want that considered! - but despite being close to the water it's not a spring/summer sport!

Another cute detail - Gabrielle Anwar is probably barely over 100 lbs so I'd wonder why these guys aren't racing 4+1 (4 plus coxswain) instead of 4-man only. The cox is usually team/boat coach anyway and her weight couldn't affect them that much!

In the fall of 1998, in Philadelphia, we started production on a $2mil film that created a new Murphy's Law - "The Kimberly Effect". Things went wrong due to the general ineptness,politely called inexperience, of an odd crew led by the usual Los Angeles cast of meglomaniacal above the line people. This was particularly amusing because if they weren't Europeans, they were Isralis - how do they learn a second language, figure out who to "lunch" with and become the aspiring arbitrars of American pop culture? The only answer - the Kimberly Effect. Last month I got to see this film projected at the Houston International Film Festival, introduced by director Frederic Golchan, who walked right by me 4 or 5 times without recognition, even though in Philadelphia he gave me champagne. Product placement, but champagne none the less. He was busy being schmoozed by the festival folks, so I did not bother him. Amazingly, this picture was sweet and funny and made Philadelphia look beautiful - no small feat. Gabrielle Anwar and Chris Rydell had great chemistry, and people laughed in all the right places. A model turned actor was the only weak link in the cast, and he's so attractive no one else at the theatre seemed to notice. The music was lovely, and all in all, it was a pleasant bit of entertainment. I kept waiting for the film to break, the theatre to burn, the popcorn to spill, but nothing happened. The Kimberly Effect was over. I hope they sell the movie.

This story seems very nice on the surface. Kimberly is nice to all the guys, whereas in most romantic movies the guys are not as nice to the gals.

When I looked below the surface a bit, though, I realized that I have good reason to question Kimberly's behavior. Assuming you watch the movie, just consider what the reaction would be if the story was about one guy and four gals and the guy treated the women the way that Kimberly treats the four men in this movie.

Four members of a Philadelphia rowing crew are hoping to improve as a team. One is an investment banker (Sean Astin), another is a professor, etc. Although none of them are married, they talk about the ladies a lot. Thus, when they get a new commander, Kimberly (Gabrielle Anwar), who comes ready to whip them into shape, all of the men's heads are turned. Therefore, they vow to each other that NONE of them will pursue the single Kimmie, despite her unwedded status. They are sworn to honor this pledge. However, each man begins a "thing" with Kimberly in the shadows. When she turns up pregnant, all of them are thrown for a loop. Who is the father? Will they ever know? How will they deal with this dagger into their friendship? This okay film has some really attractive players and sets. But, despite being based on a story by the great Maupassant, its only mildly diverting in plot and resolution. If you are a fan of romantic dramas, you will probably be interested in a view. All others may want to treat it like the plague.