All Over Me [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

This gritty 1997 film marks the merging of several budding talents: sisters Sylvia and Alex Sichel, who serve as writer and director, and actors Alison Folland (To Die For), Tara Subkoff, and Murmurs singer Leisha Hailey. The idea behind the movie was the Sichels' awe at ever having survived being teenage girls in the big city.

All Over Me is about Claude (Folland) a shy, overweight teen who works in a pizza parlour after school and is secretly in love with her best friend Ellen (Subkoff). But Ellen is far ahead of Claude in development. She has an older boyfriend, and she harbours a bad case of destructive self-loathing that erupts frequently and with a fury. But All Over Me isn't just a teenage cautionary or coming-out tale. It's as much a story of New York and its unbearably long, hot summers as it is of the downtown music scene or teenage dreams and struggles with adult issues. More than that, it's a well-made film that has its own rhythm, working slowly to give us insight into the girls' natures. It succeeds admirably in taking us back to that age when everything seemed possible despite the dangers of the city closing in. Growing up has never felt as close to home or as scarily realistic. --Paula Nechak, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Star Appearance From Leisha Hailey.......2008-03-07

I don't think that I would have many positive things to say about this film if it wasn't for Leisha Hailey's outstanding performance (Despite her being made to suffer with a terrible, undeserving script). I did question why such an extraordinary actress was thrown into this melodrama, perhaps to promote her band "The Murmurs" and star in bigger projects such as "The L Word"? Either way, the film seriously does not flatter Hailey's brilliance as an actress.
As for most of the rest of the film, I found utterly pointless. There is absolutely no doubt that director Alex Sichel is forcing the "drugs and drink are bad" message onto the audience, unlike more balanced films such as "Thirteen" or "Sweet Sixteen". Perhaps the most accurate portrayal in the film however, is the portrayal of the boyfriend and his friends, all of which are typical of that stereotype.
In summary: Not great, but an O.K (ish) drama, with a star appearance from Leisha Hailey (Well, all of about 10 minutes..)

Pointlessy Unhollywood.......2006-06-30

True, this film manages to escape from every Hollywood cliche. This is, however, at the expense of the viewer being able to listen to coherent dialogue (the characters mumble alot, and are reminiscent of a lesbian/smacked out Kevin and Perry) and being able to watch something which does not lurch from achingly depressive to uterly pointless. To call the ending an anti climax would be wrong, as that would assume there is a climax - which there in't.

Teenage urban angst at it's best.......2002-10-12

Brilliant film, excellent soundtrack! Beautiful insight into teenage discovery, approachs delicate subjects with a realist approach rather than Hollywood, totally refreshing. Plus Leisha Hailey sparkles.

"Teenage Angst"...depressing but a good watch.......2002-08-05

A depressing but honest film about a teenage girl in love with her straight and alcoholic best friend. The isn’t a happy-ending type film, but optimistic in its own way and true to the characters. An excellent portrayal of adolescent angst, unrequited love, and the limitations of friendship. I would recomend it.

Beautifully touching.......2002-06-13

I loved this film, it is definitely one of the best coming out films around. The character around which the story revolves is Claude, a teenager going through a very mixed up time. And it's not surprising,when she's hung up on her best friend, a sometime druggie with a violent homophobic boyfriend. Although this sounds like a depressing idea for a film, it is handled with compassion, and the result is incredibly moving film with issues that many people can relate to. A must for any teenager with confused ideas of sexuality, as well as anyone who's had a hard time coming to terms with who they are.

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