Genres

Visitors Review

RMCCAULEY-2 2012-05-22 18:29:06

check out his other work

This was the third film I've seen written & directed by Eric Schaeffer.If you liked this film, please check out his movie "Fall". It could beclassified as a romance, but not the kind that would ever cast JenniferAniston or Meg Ryan. "Fall" is painful and passionate and clever, andunlike any movie I've seen since. It absolutely crushes you. I havealso never witnessed such intense chemistry between two actors. Itabsolutely crushes you. Eric Schaeffer plays the lead role himself. Sofar, he always stars in his own movies. In his movie "If Lucy Fell", heplays opposite Sara Jessica Parker. I'd recommend seeing this after"Fall" or "Mind the Gap" so you get a feel for Schaeffer's style first."If Lucy Fell" is much more light-hearted than his other movies; butvery witty, fun, and strange. Ben Stiller plays a hilarious role as astereotypical artist who lives life in the abstract. I love EricSchaeffer! I only hope he continues to bless us with his work.

CrabClawz3 2012-05-22 06:29:09

So Very good.

I had little to no expectations of this film and knew absolutelynothing about it. I was flabbergasted. It is really an excellent film.It made me cry but in a really good way. It is just very beautiful andmoving. It makes you want to believe in something. I saw his otherfilm, If Lucy Fell, and it meant nothing to me, I forgot about it afterwatching it. But this one is a total gem. I almost feel like it's myspecial little secret. But I want to share it with everyone because itreally made me happy. That's just what it does. It makes you smile andit makes you feel something for the characters (the acting isfantastic). I acquired several crushes by the end of the film. Please,go to your local independent video retailer and rent it (or better yetbuy it) right now.

manu-62 2012-05-16 05:06:29

Very spiritual movie

A powerful, well-paced guide for living and relationships. Enormousspiritual content permeate life and death and evolution. Mind the gapis a British expression and a spiritual-psychological technique (thoughthis is never mentioned).There is much silence in the gaps between the lives of the disparatepeople who evolve throughout the movie. There are relationships full ofregret and longing that are transcended by the sheer depth ofexperience and feeling of the characters.The theme is relationship between father and son, and the longing andregret that it inevitably produces. The ideal of romantic love is seenthrough the eyes of people who don't know what they're looking for butwho need to find it. A little too much close to most of our ownrealities, or just enough to identify with nearly everyone in the film.Some fine performances and directing. A sleeper, which makes one wonderif this is a one shot wonder of if the same crew can do it again.

Merle Bertrand 2012-05-15 17:54:46

This is a solid under-the-radar sleeper.

babybirdie22 2012-05-04 21:16:10

Best Narrative Feature at SXSW!

You come to care for the lives of a disparate and disperse handful ofunfulfilledcharacters (whether they know it or not), and on their journeys, physicalandemotional, their lives intersect in unusual ways. A very tight story,top-notchacting, a beautiful film. I cared for each character and even cried fortwoofthem. Best child actor I've seen in years, too. One plot shift, however,shook mysuspension of disbelief, hence the 9 and not the 10. Otherwise aseamlessfilm.

2012-05-04 09:16:07

Loved it - - thought provoking

Yes, there is a predictability to it, and the broken, collaged story lines are a little frustrating in the beginning. But the film delivers - it is deceptive and warps our sense of time. Its power is in its understatement; and, the divine spontaneity that brings the characters together as you know the plot is destined to do.

williamonthefloor 2012-05-02 23:58:47

a struggle at first but then...

Before I comment on the film. I wanted to point out that "mind the gap"is NOT an English expression, per se, it's what the recorded voice sayswhen the doors to the London Underground opens. In America, we wouldsay "watch your step". In England, the Londoner's hear "mind the gap".Because there's a gap of about two inches between the subway door andthe platform.The movie starts out almost grueling, with Alan King playing Alan King,a cantankerous, hostile man who has lived his life without purpose andfeels it with a bitterness worse than gall. This comes out in a scenethat I guess is him crying. But it can also be interpreted as himlaughing. Whatever. His part in the movie could have been completelyeliminated and he wouldn't have been missed. Just like now. He's deadand I sure as hell don't miss his belligerent attitude.I borrowed the DVD from the library, and could only watch it in ten totwenty minute blocks, it was so slow getting anywhere. I would goonline and look up filming locations, star biographies, other newsitems. For example, the director also acted in the movie. With his headshaved, he looked a lot like Robery Carlyle (from 28 Weeks Later, TheFull Monty and Trainspotting).Spoiler Alert below!: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The movie actually becomes worth watching immediately after the scenewhere Malissa (sic) has received her gift from Doctor Albertson. Thereis a photo on the wall that suddenly and completely changes the movie.Things start to come together at this point.I don't know what I would have done or how much I would have understoodif it wasn't for the fact that I saw this on DVD. The sound quality wasmediocre and I had to repeat several scenes at least three times justto hear what they were saying. Additionally, there are no options forsubtitles. And what is weirder is how FAR the movie jumps between thefast forward one shot buttons. It's not five minutes later but morelike TWENTY minutes later. Most movies have at least 30 to 40 pointswhere you can insert yourself into the film, this one has only EIGHTsuch points.I suppose though that the movie redeemed itself in its own way.

2012-05-02 07:27:21

Thoughtful with interesting, sympathetic characters

What happens when you title a movie "Mind the Gap" and lead the credits with Alan King? Few people under seventy become interested. But this is a great movie about life, relationships, and "the gap".Jill Souble is darn cute, and the overall acting good to great. King did his usual pro job too.

rosaliescanvas 2012-04-27 02:17:22

heartwarming,sweet nostalgic film

This film has an eclectic cast of characters who could be substitutedfor many people you know in your own life (the belligerent elderlygentleman,the sweet helpful blonde,the bitter divorcée,the singer whojust needs a break,the bitter father(s),the kooky personalities,etc. Iwould have liked a little more character development of the divorcedfather. The music was fabulous and I will definitely get the singer'sc.d. when out. The film was both heartwarming and poignant and I reallyenjoyed it. The trailer made me want to see it. Who's the beautifulblonde that attempts to help him cross the street? Kooky, funny,heartwarming,nostalgic film. Sad that this was Alan King's last movie.

gothicgoblin1334 2012-04-26 07:18:57

I wanna get bitter, I wanna talk mean

Just awful, I now know how Alan King died! When he found out that thismovie wasn't a joke, he completely croaked! Thank God, by the way, thatno one really likes this film and the film is a big joke anyway. It isthe worst movie ever made, don't believe me? Watch this film foryourself! I mean, the director (who apparently wrote the film too!)probably half-assed the script thinking it was so great even though themovie was way too overrated, it's just such a terrible movie. Like Isaid, if you think it's good just because other people like it, thenyou're out of your mind. This movie is just so awful, and the songs inthis are terrible! Pointless messages galore the genre should be horrorbecause I was pretty scared watching this crap!

Anita Gates 2012-04-20 00:19:55

Eric Schaeffer takes a stab at the intertwined-lives ensemble-cast film.

Frank Scheck 2012-04-19 07:43:31

An overly ambitious, overly complex and overly long opus that bites off more than it can chew.

Colin Covert 2012-04-08 21:02:30

The performances are solid, even when the roles are aggressively whimsical.

Matt Weitz 2012-04-08 14:15:03

The coincidences are almost all supremely transparent and the characters gratingly quirky, two faults that committed acting almost redeems. But not quite.

tnek46 2012-04-01 11:11:45

Decent acting, intriguing stories...

Though some of the acting in this film isn't incredible, it's certainlycompetent. I think Eric Schaeffer is a very talented actor anddirector, he did a great job with this film. The five stories that aretold are intriguing and the transitions between them are smooth. I'd recommend this movie if you are looking for an interesting collageof characters and plots rounded up by a blissfully happy ending. It'snice to see a movie with a complex plot and fascinating characters. Itwill leave you delighted with humanity and wondering what happened toeach character.I, for one, really enjoyed this movie. I saw it on a satellite moviechannel and am very tempted to go and rent it... possibly even buy itwhen I can get my hands on it.

2012-03-31 20:54:56

This movie was GREAT!!!

I just happen to be at home getting over the flu (on a Saturday) and Ihave never heard of this film "MIND THE GAP", I missed the first 15minutes of it but I have to applaud the writer. This movie wasawesome... this movie was absolutely emotionally intense!!! I wouldhighly recommend seeing this film to anyone if you are looking forreally good dialogue and content without that huge budgetcommercialized junk that is out there. This movie reminds me a lot likeMAGNOLIA & CRASH, very emotional and you actually felt what they didand felt like you were right there with them. Word to the writer: Don't STOP!!! Thanks!!!

Maitland McDonagh 2012-03-31 09:27:39

Formulaic but surprisingly affecting.

Craig Fisher 2012-03-30 22:11:12

very small film, with a very big heart.

This movie, while at first seems like a series of vignettes, ultimatelyconnects to the watcher, and pulls you in, and then weaves a tale,thats heartbreaking, and heartwarming, all at the time. I was veryimpressed with all the performances. I will admit that I watched itsolely because I am a Jill Sobule fan. Her performance was amazing inmy opinion, but I was very drawn in and loved every minute of thisfilm.I think more people need to see it, and hopefully tell all theirfriends to see it. I can only hope.Also, Elizabeth Reaser should be on everyones "to watch" list. Irecently saw Stay as well, and she is amazing in that film. I cant waitto see what she does, and I hope that someday she will recognized forher talents.At any rate, this movie is well done. Please see it, enjoy it, and betouched by it.

Erik Childress 2012-03-29 22:58:35

Schaeffer's voice represents the Average Joe in a bar who thinks he has all the answers about the human condition but has nothing interesting to say. Yet, he keeps talking.

Lou Lumenick 2012-03-29 12:15:14

Schaeffer's rip-off -- er, homage -- to Magnolia.