Pamela

Like my dinner with andre the bulk of the movie is a conversation that takes place at a restaurant table. But 'andre' was a great movie, this movie isn't. A mom, her son, and her daughter are the people talking, and talking, and talking, and the conversation goes around, and around, and around in circles. The siblings are trying to get mom to reveal an important, critic piece of information, but mom can stonewall like a civil war general. I will give it this - i hung-in in order to find out. But i kept checking the amount of time remaining, and following the conversation and thinking, get back to the point.

For those interested in intimate, character driven stories, Pamela is a treat. The film delves into the sometimes complicated relationships between parents and children, and offers a peek into the lives of this flawed but engrossing family. Brooke Turner is a standout as a daughter struggling to make peace with her mother. Highly recommended.

Pamela is prickly on the outside with a moral, kind center. The mom, Pamela, is true to herself and is a fully formed 'woman of a certain age'. How refreshing to see an older woman portrayed as fully human, which is to say, complicated. Pamela herself isn't asking for credit or kudos for her actions; she's just living her life. Her children are shown a 'portrait in courage' by the end and, I think, have grown up just a little.

The movie treats the main dilemma with startling clarity from each of the characters' perspectives. It's subtle, even with the in-your-face disagreements the characters have and, honestly, gets richer with a second viewing.

And the last scene is awesome!

There is nothing funny about this "dark comedy". The characters are annoying, boring, and I can't blame the actors, it's the script.

Clocking in at 89 minutes, it was way too long, repetitive, and a bit of a chore. It's all dialogue, with three people sitting at a table. This kind of film has been made many times before, but this particular film felt like when a kid has to write a 3 page paper, and just keeps filling it with words that add nothing.

There could have been more suspense, actual comedy, or even an interesting debate, but alas, no. Just continual digs and playing the martyr, over and over and over.

I saw PAMELA at the Queens Film Festival and loved it. It's an intimate movie in the vein of MY DINNER WITH ANDRE. Jacqueline Sydney gives a brilliant, layered performance as the lead character. It's a major film debut from writer/director (and editor!) Kate McLane. Kudos and Bravos to all involved. If you love smart, funny, character-driven movies you'll want to see PAMELA.