Imperfections

I'm a huge film buff and have seen many crime/heist films in my day, however, one that stands out the most is a new movie I watched called Imperfections. It's a comedy/crime thriller that is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat the whole time! The story line is centered around a struggling actress named Cassidy who is at her wits end when it comes to getting a job. It isn't until her mom, Val, comes home from a date one night with a job opportunity at a diamond importer business in Chicago that she decides to get herself back on track. However, while at this new job she meets the owners son, Alex, who shares his get rich quick scheme with her in order to help pay off some debt, which sends the movie in an exciting new direction. I think that the directors did a great job making each character as realistic as possible, and the cinematography was excellent. My favorite aspect of the film has to be the comedic relief that pops up unexpectedly from scene to scene, to give the audience a break from the thrilling narrative. All in all, I loved this movie and highly recommend keeping it on your radar!

Imperfections is a movie that revels in the flaws we all have, wrapped up tightly in the narrative of a heist movie. What's ironic is that Imperfections manages to betray its namesake, delivering a masterclass movie that appeals to all audiences, whether they're looking for a light film in the vein of a romantic comedy or a thematic experience that makes one question his or her morals. The plot follows Cassidy, an out-of-work actress who finds herself evicted and living back with her mother in Chicago. When the man Cassidy's mother is seeing offers her a job at his business – a precious gem import shop – she must learn the unique position she's been offered: the diamond courier. What follows is a wild descent through uncomfortable moral quandaries, unexpected twists and a plot that dances on all the grays the ethical spectrum has to offer. Cass grows close to characters who she intends to exploit for personal gain, and these characters are written in such a way that their endearing qualities nearly always tug at the audience's gut. Despite this, the movie never becomes unenjoyable, having far more in common with The Wolf of Wall Street than something like Heat. The lighter tone Imperfections adopts doesn't impose upon the truly significant nature of the film's content, but rather sands the edges of the piece in a way grittier movies don't. What emerges is a polished product that is downright fun to watch in the moment, but manages to stick with the viewer long after the credits roll. A genuine treat from start to finish, Imperfections is a gem of a movie in and of itself that I can only recommend.

Film tells the story of a struggling actress who takes a job as a diamond courier. Apparently the best courier is a young female who no- one would think is carrying tens of thousands of dollars of diamonds across a city. The son of the diamond merchant enlists her to encourage her ex-boyfriend to rob her. She will give up fake diamonds when robbed and her and the son will split the money,

This is not a bad film. There is a good story. There is a twist and then a twist to the twist at the end. Well acted. Good script. Its funny in places but more snigger than laugh out loud. Overall well worth a watch.

"Imperfections" is a black comedy of sorts that stars Virginia Kull as Cassidy, a down on her luck actress who can't seem to make her dreams come true or balance her life out at all. After getting laid off she decides to crash with her mother, Val, played by Marilu Henner. Cassidy's mother gives her a business card for a small jewelry shop that's hiring. Cassidy decides to go and is immediately hired by the shop's manager, Barry, played by Ed Begley Jr., and his son Alex, played by Ashton Holmes. Cassidy's job is to carry a small package of diamonds to her destination and hand over the diamonds, nothing illegal. It turns out Alex is in a bit of trouble when he's in debt and owes this guy some money. So Alex and Cassidy come up with a scheme to screw the insurance company into giving them money by staging a fake robbery with Cassidy having fake diamonds on her, but it's not that simple...

Now I saw this film at the 52nd International Film Festival this year, plus it was shot in Chicago as well. Sadly to say this is my least favorite film of the festival, not saying it's bad, but it could've been better than what it was.

I'll start with the positives, the acting is overall good, there's semi interesting characters, the story is overall entertaining, and the cinematography is as good as it's going to be. Other than that I can't really say much for the film.

Now the negatives. This film is okay, it's an okay film and it's okay for a film to be that, but I can't help but feel the film could've been better. I personally did not care for any of the characters except for the character of Ray, Cassidy's former boyfriend in the movie played by Zach McGowan. McGowan gave the best performance out of the entire film and he was by far the most interesting and entertaining character of the film. A lot of the jokes in the film fell flat, the film didn't have any clever jokes except for a couple and some slapstick humor as well. The first half of the film felt like the director was trying to find his footing, and the story seemed very unclear of where it was going. A lot of scenes in the film felt like they were cut when there was clearly more to the scene/some choppy editing. And I can't forget the microphone that kept appearing on the top of the screen which was very distracting and obvious, good job editor.

The film really picked up for me at around the halfway mark, but at that exact same time I felt like the film switched genres. The film originally started off as a comedy about a down on her luck actress, and then turned into a detective mystery, drama comedy film. Now the film has some pretty tense scenes which were very well done and I enjoyed very much, and there were some pretty laugh out loud scenes as well, but there were so few of those scenes that the film just felt flat. Many scenes felt like they went on for a little too long or just had no real importance except to get a chuckle from the audience.

Overall "Imperfections" is a pretty average film that I can go on forever about how it could've worked better, but I'll just take it for what it is. "Imperfections" is a cute comedy that just felt a little flat for me, and I wish it could've been executed better on so many levels.

First the premise of the plot is preposterous - it's not a spoiler to say that the girl lead character is hired by a diamond dealer to regularly make diamond deliveries - she's not cautioned to not tell anyone - and she blabs to everyone about her new job - she's not armed, she walks and apparently makes several deliveries daily - really, no folks who hit diamond stores wouldn't notice her pattern? Hardly - clearly whoever came up with the storyline had no background nor did any research whatsoever

The "love interest" angle is quite trite - for example, sequence where luvable Irish ne're-do-well small time drug dealer BF and girl go on the standard "charmingly kitsch" dates - bowling where he flubs the roll and they both laugh and fall into each other's arms, they go to a used clothing shop and he puts on funny clothes and they laff and laff - collapsing on BF's couch as theme music swells, you get the idea

Other supporting characters - Marylu Henner and Ed Begley, Jr. Are vets (and look like it) - are at moments somewhat interesting in an off-kilter sort of way - but it's all rather too drab and they all give the vibe of being from upper class suburban backgrounds trying to play working class kids, completely unconvincingly. I mean, this is a scenario where the reality is violent thugs - in this thing they're all Valley Girl precocious wise-crackers, women and men.

Lead character is cast as supposedly snappy and street-wise manipulative gal , but just comes across as a whiny spoiled woman-tweeny (she's thirty something) for an overall effect of unlikeable shading to annoying

All in all quite believable thing was shot in 15 days as noted in "Trivia" section - I don't think there was much more than 15 days in the pre-planning - including script and casting- either.

Cinematography? - forgettaboutit. Expensive film school for rich kids class project quality.

So, there it is - not a complete loss - altho I gave up on it completely right at the very film school text book "plot pivot" point - so certainly, imo, no "Great all-around film and cast!" as bruited in one of the other posted comments.