User reviews

I was looking for something interesting to watch and found this "indie" movie on Amazon streaming. The IMDb "user reviews" have become a wild, untrustworthy place over the past few years and there are many glowing reviews of this movie. While it is OK it really isn't that good. But interesting enough for an 80-minute viewing.

The kids start off in Colorado where they live and go to high school. Valentina de Angelis is pretty girl Jessie who has hopes of becoming a model. She contacts an agency in L.A. and they are receptive.

Adam Perez (as Adam David) is her boyfriend Matt. While he doesn't really want her to leave town he also wants her to be happy and successful, so they drive together to California.

The meat of the story is Jessie is found murdered and discarded in a Los Angeles ravine only a few months later. The police don't make any progress and Matt becomes determined to solve the mystery, find the killer and bring him or her to justice. He gets a mysterious package with a DV movie tape, he uses these as clues.

The scenes of Jessie and Matt together are mostly interesting. Frankly the middle of the story and its final resolution just don't flow well and the end seems pretty odd to me. But hey, it's an indie movie and for what it is, could have been worse.

The only positive thing that I can say about this film is that the people involved must have some very kind and supportive friends who must have contributed all of these 10 out of 10 reviews as well as the 7, 8, and 9 star love notes. I'm sorry but when I see this film come up as 100% on Rotten Tomotoes it shakes my faith in there being any integrity left in the workd. OK not to be overdramatic but, this film was truely painfully tedious to watch. The neverending cemetary frolics, the sappy music, the dollar store goth imagery, and bondage light references are what I consider to be sub par. Then I see Pat Healy shockingly involved who before today I would have said had never appeared in anything truely bad. I have to return to my theory that he and the other folks involved must be good friends of the director or producer. So it's good to have friends but I recommend my friends skip this and watch a better film.

Obviously the reviews here are all from friends and family of the cast and crew, there's no other explanation for it. This is a stylistically confused story of high school sweethearts torn apart(torn is probably pushing, 'gently kneaded' would be more apt) by the wannabe model's ambition. She ends up murdered and dumped, boyfriend expends no effort in tracking the killer, blah blah, nothing happens, no revelations, no twists or turns, just a long wait for it to go through the motions and end. Don't waste your time please.

I was really impressed by this film. It's an unnerving, mysterious and unpredictable thriller that works wonders through the use of its non- linear storytelling, furthered by its effective use of hand-held camera, making for a thoroughly captivating watch throughout. It may not always have the pulsating beat of a truly intense thriller, but it's a consistently intriguing watch full of clever twists from start to finish.

Let's start off with what I thought worked best here, the story structure. Non-linear crime mysteries are often the films that make best use of the format, but I've often seen it lead to convoluted and uninteresting stories. That's not the case with Everlasting, as it regularly moves between various time periods, ranging from the two's relationship way back before the murder occurred to the boyfriend's continued distress as a result.

You may think that spoiling the murder right off the bat would be pointless, but the great thing about this film is that it's about the emotional effects of losing someone close to you, and by presenting the story in non-linear fashion, we're able to learn so much about the main characters, all the while still preserving a sense of mystery surrounding the as yet unexplained events that occur right in the middle.

As I said, I didn't find the film a breathless and endlessly exhilarating watch, but the story that's told is still a fascinating one. Director Anthony Stabley paces the film very well throughout, making use of the non-linear story to keep feeding in small but intriguing details that, whilst only slowly building towards the resolution, make for an enthralling watch.

The film's visual style is also a big positive. If there's ever a way that indie movies try to disguise low budgets, it's through the use of hand-held camera. Everlasting uses a lot of that too, but it's actually to the film's benefit. Cleverly telling the story through the eyes of our main character, a film student, the use of hand-held camera feels totally justified, and even lends another level of eerie realism that makes some of the story's grislier details more affecting.

I'm not going to lie, this isn't a particularly pleasant watch. As wonderful as some of the visuals and settings are, the centre of the story is very dark and unsettling. There are moments when the film goes a little overboard with its graphic depiction of sex and violence, not always fitting in with the mysterious atmosphere, it's generally a very subtly unnerving film. It has the perfect sort of score, almost unnoticeable yet hugely effective and it has a realistic visual style, all coming together to make a genuinely unsettling vibe that renders the mystery of the days leading up to and following the murder even more intriguing.

The performances here in Everlasting are pretty good too. Although there are moments when some slightly wobbly dialogue isn't delivered so well, both Adam David and Valentina De Angelis are hugely convincing in their roles. The two have an excellent chemistry that makes their romantic relationship an effective storytelling tool, whilst they clearly portray the two characters' stark differences, creating a different level of emotional drama beyond the horror of the murder at the centre of the story, which I thought was brilliant to see.

In general, this film is very good, but if I were to have one problem with it, it's the overuse of narration. Although helpful and necessary in the opening act to explain the situation at hand, I really felt like the narration from our main character, looking back on the events depicted in his film, was unnecessary and occasionally intrusive later on in the film. That's largely because of the fact that the directing here is easily good enough to tell us the story at hand without even saying a word, and with narration effectively repeating what we're already seeing and feeling again and again, it can be a little distracting.

Overall, however, I was really surprised by Everlasting. It's a small indie thriller with big brains, and the capacity to provide some genuine excitement and intrigue with an ingeniously-written story. It's not on the level of the likes of Se7en and Gone Girl, but with brilliant directing, writing and performances, it's a thoroughly captivating watch from start to finish.

I usually don't go for these type of movies...i.e. thriller/horror, but I found this non-linear approach captivating. This film felt disjointed at first, and about 20 minutes in, I couldn't stop watching. The performances and rhythm of this film are pretty good, as well as the story, but I think the story could have been fleshed out a bit more. The boy actor looking for the killer of his girlfriend does a good job portraying the anxiety and tenacity of his character...however, I would have liked to have felt a great intensity. The aesthetics and overall production value of this movie is solid. All in all...worth the watch!

This is a unique exploration of taboos and violence told through the eyes, and camera, of Matt a brooding teenager whose girlfriend, Jessie, went missing and was discovered dead after entering an underworld of drugs, fetish modeling and increasingly dark appetites. The performances weren't over the top or melodramatic, the story unfolded in unexpected ways taking the viewer on a chilling ride.

It was interesting to see Jessie's character take shape largely in the past tense, through flashbacks and the video footage taken by Matt the blend of mediums with the video camera included as a plot element was not hokey at all but rather helped the story take shape in a pseudo documentary style. I would expect to see more of Adam Perez (Matt) and Valentina de Angelis, two young actors who seem poised for big roles in the future.

All in all a very unique and riveting indie film. Well worth the watch!

Everlasting has a great cast and some beautiful filming locations. Also nice to see some great actors in small parts like Pat Healy, Elisabeth Rohm, and Bai Ling.

I like non linear storytelling so that automatically makes this movie right up my alley. I would definitely call it more of a thriller than a horror movie, so if you're looking for out and out blood and guts, this is not that kind of movie. But so what? The story is what's important and that's the big plus with this movie. I like that they take their time and don't allow the audience to get ahead of the movie. The story tells enough visually that some of the dialogue wasn't necessary, but that's speaks more positively about the visual effectiveness of this movie as opposed to saying something negative about the dialogue. All and all an enjoyable indie film!

This film is a thriller about a high school student's search for his girlfriend's killer. More compelling to me, it's the story of a lost girl trying to break out of her sad life, never realizing that she's enough. This film captures the intensity of first love, well played by Valentina de Angelis as the doomed Jessie and Adam David as Matt, the boy who loves her. Elizabeth Röhm plays Jessie's mother who can't get her act together long enough to notice how much her daughter needs her.

'EVERLASTING': Four Stars (Out of Five)

An indie teen-romance/crime-drama; about a high school filmmaker that's trying to catch his girlfriend's killer. The story is told in real time, mixed with home video flashbacks (filmed by the young director). It was written and directed by sophomore feature filmmaker Anthony Stabley; and it stars Valentina de Angelis, Adam David, Elisabeth Rohm, Michael Massee (in his last film role, before his death), Bai Ling, Pat Healey, Robert LaSardo and Cortney Palm (in a cameo appearance). I found it to be a pretty interesting, and well made little indie flick.

Matt (David) and Jessie (de Angelis) were two misfit high school outcasts, that felt like they were deeply in love. Then Jessie decided she needed to move to Los Angeles, from Colorado, and become a model there. After becoming a small success (in that business), and experiencing society's darker side, Jessie turns up dead (murdered by a serial killer). Matt then decides to travel to L.A., to confront the killer, after he receives a package from him. He documents his experiences, with his camera, along the way.

The movie is surprisingly well made; for a mostly unheard of low- budget little indie flick. It's beautifully filmed, acted and well written (the dialogue mostly seems believable). I especially like Valentina de Angelis in the lead; she's very beautiful, and quite talented. Palm is always a scene-stealer, but her part is too brief, and the veteran actors all do a good job. I think the film has a lot of interesting things to say, and it mostly seems genuine, but it doesn't quite all come together right (by it's ending). I expected a little more, but it is a good watch.

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I was able to catch a screening of Everlasting at the Nevermore Film Festival, where it won Jury Award for Best US Feature. In my opinion, it has a little something for nearly everyone. It's at its core a love story, a tale of two misfit star crossed teen lovers. But it's also a mystery and a thriller, with a broad reach - stretching from your average high school classroom to the seedy underbelly of LA's fetish scene, from beautiful, bright fields, to the dimly lit living room of a murderer.

First and foremost, the film is beautifully shot and well written, weaving the story from a mix of video clips (from a school project), memories, and real time episodes. The non-linear and multi-mode fashion could have turned out clunky and awkward, but it moves us quite smoothly to the climax. The intermittent scenes that capture the young couple in nature, as they make their trip from Denver to LA, are some of the most haunting as they seem to capture the true essence of teen love and that feeling of immortality and bravado that accompanies youth, even in the face of undeniable change.

The lead actors are believable in their roles. Valentina de Angelis portrays Jessie as both adventurous and vulnerable, as she is drawn to the dark side of humanity that ultimately leads to her downfall. Adam David as Matt, her estranged boyfriend desperate for closure and driven by a need to preserve Jessie's true nature. A strong cadre of supporting actors round out the story as well.

Possibly the most jarring aspect of the film is its plausibility. This is the type of story we hear on the news. Another lost girl trying to find her way taken too soon. And though some may not find the ending sensational enough, it felt real. These crimes do happen. The victims are blamed and the perpetrators become renowned and celebrated. Everlasting tries to take that victory away from the criminal by focusing on Matt and Jessie, and their story. Watching this film left me sad, but touched, because it is truly successful in making you care about the characters.

An enjoyable film that starts off as a sweet tale of teen love that slowly spirals into a suspenseful tragedy. I found the lead actors to be compelling, believable, and damn good looking! Fresh writing, stunning visuals woven into an emo horror ride where beauty disguises the darkness within and keeps your attention throughout.

I actually thought lost and found footage stuff is a bit overused - but that film convinced me otherwise :) Very cool, very captivating, awesome visuals and stunning performances. Great editing and directing, which draws you in from the very first second and has you hooked throughout.

A haunting coming of age story spiralling around love and freedom. Greatly recommended :)

Everlasting was a true indie gem. A love story about two teenagers from Colorado on a road trip to Los Angeles. Director Anthony Stabley did a great job pulling the best performances from all of his actors. Season & veteran actors Elizabeth Rhom (Law & Order), Bai Ling (Crank), & Robert Lasardo (Mule) all did a fantastic job driving this complex thriller. This film did a good job depicting the challenges a lot of people; young & old, face when they travel to LA in search of fame. The music, editing, and cinematography were all on point.

Heartbreaking in its being so devastatingly relatable to what we see in the news every day. The acting was very real, especially as the parent of a rebellious, emotionally lost 22 year old daughter and the stepmom of an independent 20 year old stepdaughter starting out in the world in a city with a lot of crime. I love indie films and this one does not disappoint. Interesting way to get across very personal point of view.

Evoking a similarly gothic and nightmarish aesthetic to films like 8mm or Lynch's Lost Highway, Everlasting examines jealousy and love in the often cruel underbelly of the modeling world. The leads all deliver captivating performances, but Valentina de Angelis is particularly magnetic as the elusive Jessie. Overall the film felt like a dream that wanders somewhat chaotically around Matt's mission to find Jessie's killer. This is not at the film's peril, however. The serpentine storytelling gives it an almost 90's-era Oliver Stone-like quality, where multiple perspectives elevate the emotional dimensions in each given moment. The soundtrack only enhances the ethereal qualities that are already present throughout. I look forward to seeing what this filmmaker does next!

EVERLASTING is a beautifully shot, well-crafted psycho-sexual crime thriller. The performances are good and compelling, the lead actress is especially great. The music was creepy, haunting and extremely effective at maintaining tension and suspense. And the story... It kept me going all the way to the end which is rare in an indie. If you're looking for a great indie-crime-thriller, EVERLASTING is for you.

Superb indie film.

The two main characters have great chemistry together and their love for each other is genuine. The emotional connections are captivating and the thrilling journey is perfectly woven into a dark David Lynch style film with eerie visuals and some odd characters.

Director Anthony Stabley has once again masterfully captured the "outsider" generation of American-youth culture as he previously did in his films Electronica 1 and 2. His keen eye for capturing deviant sub cultures is something to admire and look forward to in his next films.

I also love the editing techniques switching between hand held camera shots to past memories and then back to real time. Great story telling both verbal and visual from start to finish.

Excellent production with strong themes subtly woven into the narrative. An outstanding independent film that manages to strike the delicate balance of grit, while still being a very polished.

This haunting drama is wonderfully crafted and bolstered by strong performances across the board. Writer/Director Anthony Stabley, who clearly told the story the way he felt it needed to be told, designed and executed this film beautifully. Raw and with a real sense of immediacy, it's dark without being sensationalistic, unique and intense, and it certainly keeps you enthralled throughout.

First off, this film is wonderfully shot. It looks really good and terrific usage of a hand held camera. If it doesn't look good, I'm gone in minutes! I thoroughly loved the acting. Kudos to the casting department. The two leads were sensational inside a story that kept me engaged and kept me wanting to stick around to the end. A thumbs up from me on this one.

Rock solid murder mystery / love story here, buoyed by a convincing and confident performance from Adam David. The cinematography is especially well done, with appropriate and effective treatments to separate past and present scenes. I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael Massee (who I remember from 24 and The Crow) in a bone-chilling role - on par with anything he's done previously. Also from The Crow (and LOST) is Bai Ling, who only looks better with age. A moody, dark score (including a track by Crystal Castles) also keeps the tone consistent and dark. Give this film a shot. It'll pull you in and keep you entertained and moved all the way to the shocking, gruesome end. Well done!