Manna from Heaven

A lot happens in this movie, but it is all predictable drivel with no character development. Written by the "5 sisters" this movie can be taken as a warning of what can happen with writing done by committee. I found myself not only not interested in anything that happened, but resentful that the filmmakers seemed to presume that I would be.

I went into this film with three years of sobriety, left and headed straight to the bar. The only laughter in the theater were the burton sisters laughing at their own jokes. How funny! I was crying by the end of it, concocting a tale in my head of why I had to leave...a root canal would've been more pleasant. I don't understand how films like this are made. I've got an mfa in writing and these girls graduated from the buffalo community college of inept film-making. Gag me with some more syrup and I'll stick around for your next picture. Why don't you research some talent for your next pic. Wendie Malick saved the film.

It's not a perfect movie in the conventional sense, but then again so few are. I enjoyed it quite a bit in spite of the implausible plot - after all, what's a feel-good satirical comedy without some hyperbole? The casting and performances were generally delightful. The cinematography was very good in spite of what a few other uninformed reviewers have said. To capture the feel of Buffalo NY - old, out of touch, quietly desperate but always hopeful - the Sisters put together a montage of sights and sounds reminiscent of the social and cultural hodge-podge that is the Buffalo area. It's a state of mind, not a geographical place!

The plot will, in its own way, lead you to the conclusion that the most common people can have redemption with a little effort and divine intervention. This was a great effort from a bunch of girls from Buffalo who have no money to compete against the digitized, schmoltzified crap dealers of Hollywood! A refreshing change of pace -go see it.

My husband and I happened on this movie the other night at a local theater. We hadn't heard anything good or bad about this movie but we thought we'd see it anyway.

There was a table set up outside the theater with literature about the movie. I believe the person at the table was one of the five sisters who produced the movie but I wasn't sure because she was on a cell phone the entire time that the patrons were at the table.

One of the quotes on the literature said "if you liked My Big Fat Greek Wedding you are going to LOVE Manna from Heaven." This made me think that we may be in for a pleasant surprise....unfortunately we weren't.

The film had some slightly humorous moments but they were very few and far between. The "plot" was very weak, predictable and for the most part, the actor's performances alternated between stilted and exaggerated.

I really wanted to like this independent film but it just wasn't possible.

While not a perfect film (how many are?), "Manna From Heaven" was funny, heartwarming, and clever. Cloris Leachman's performance alone was worth the price of admission. This is a truly independent film, but more than that, it's a labor of love by the 5 Sisters production team and it shows on the screen. If you're interested in taking a bite of something more satisfying than the bland, mass-produced cinema sausages Hollywood relentlessly churns out, go see this movie. You'll leave the theatre walking on air. I did!