Cinema Purgatorio

I love seeing indie filmmakers succeed in producing quality films, which is one of the reasons I loved Cinema Purgatorio. Chris White and Emily Reach White make a wonderful team, and their love for making this film shows in every frame. Chris White also does a great job directing, but he will be remembered most for his quality performance in the lead role. White has filled his cast with wonderful character actors, and many stand out, but none more than Lavin Cuddihee who plays smarmy Nick Teasle to perfection. The film is charming and fun and truly funny, especially when Cuddihee is on the screen. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and look forward to more from White as well as Cuddihee.

Enjoyed this film; the characters were well developed, believable and highly likable. The wit of the dialog and especially the scenes with character Nick (played to the hilt by Lavin Cuddihee) erupted into laugh-out-loud humor throughout. The Bill Murray-esque-ness came shining through and lent the story its gravitas. Set mostly on the lovely coast of the South Carolina Low Country, the beach is as much a character in the film as the actors, for even Walt Whitman could not ask the sea to be silent. Cinema Purgatorio is the second film by Chris White and Emily Reacher White that has blown me away - keep up the great work - can't wait for your next film!

This movie inspired me to add to the lexicon of aphorisms. Cinema Purgatorio is a unique movie that is a picture within a picture within a picture. Is that equal to 1,000 words to the third (cubed) power? First, the movie is about making a movie. At the risk being blacklisted for creating spoilage, I will refrain from further description along those lines.

Husband and wife co-produce "films" and are not doing too well. Spiritually and financially. They hatch a scheme to impress a Hollywood Star who, they assume, will back their next major project.

Husband and wife set out to win a 48-Hour Film Film Festival. Nearly penniless they assemble a very funny and entertaining cast and crew who include a has-been, a wannabe and several in between.

Their antics truly mirror the hazards and realities of low-budget or, in this case, no-budget projects. The 48-Hour weekend nearly turns into a disaster but through resourcefulness and persistence, they screen their entry along with several other submissions.

The remainder is fast paced and will leave you surprised and please, with a warm feeling in your heart (unless you are heartless).

I saw this film twice at different intimate screenings in which the film makers were present, and found it to be a great dramatic comedy. It somehow still manages to stay within the lines of the format you would expect to see a modern comedy in while being extremely unique at the same time. The characters are interesting and refreshing and the actors are all so good in their roles it just makes the whole film seem effortless. A lot of films have tried to portray just what life is like on a film set, but this is the only movie I've seen that actually does it in a way that is interesting enough for people outside of the entertainment industry to be engrossed in the story.

Just viewed this wonderful little comedy touching on some of the traps and pitfalls of the art of movie making outside the city limits of Hollywood. This is a keeper on many levels not the least of which is the fact that it was made for 50 thousand dollars, thanks in part to the combined talents of this wonderful ensemble cast. Sure to please and well worth one hour and 40 minutes of your life. Attention to detail is critical so be fore warned you may need to view this film more than once to thoroughly enjoy the subtle humor and nuance that can easily fly by your conscience the first time around. I guess this now makes me a film critic? And considering I have two opposable thumbs, I give it all thumbs up.