Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Reviews and Comments
"Local filmmaker Rebecca Rodriguez has earned a solid reputation for such shorts as Soul Collectors and Floater. But with Coming Up Easy, the writer-director makes an impressive feature debut. Family dysfunction and domestic abuse are at the forefront of this powerful drama. Solid performances, stylish direction and an assured script fuse together to make Coming Up Easy a poignant drama laced with touches of bittersweet comedy."
David Walker, The Willamette Week
March 3, 2004
"Coming Up Easy, from writer-director Rebecca Rodriguez, is a harrowing drama of familial dysfunction. The tight script, original visual sense and surprisingly strong acting pay off."
Mark Mohan, The Oregonian
April 2, 2004
Emotional, heartfelt roller-coaster ride of a dysfunctional family...This movie stayed with me for quite sometime; which, as a real film lover, I say as a compliment. This movie is about something, and I really felt this film. The straightforward direction style, the strong performances, the visual excitement of the fantasy scenes, and the well-crafted script kept me involved on a cinematic level, but the story and the empathy for Lily (the lead character) had my emotions in a whirlwind. This only comes from the kind of storytelling that draws you into the characters lives.
Ms Rodriguez' fine directing uses just enough cinematic visual effects to add flavor to the film without showing off and drawing attention to her directing.
I'd love to see more work from this talented writer/director.
Art Hatley Palo Alto, CA
This movie is an accurate portrayal of the effects of childhood abuse on adults that suffered as children. It demonstrates both poles of reactions as an adult in both sisters; one very obvious and not so obvious in Lily, but never the less the damage is there. The various behaviors that are common to unhealthy families are also demonstrated vividly; the cycle of abuse, the difficulty an abused woman has in leaving her abuser, how the children learn to turn a deaf ear, and the distorted thinking of an abuser, to mention a few.
This is a thought provoking movie that has left each of my classes in which I have used it, bothered and reflective in their own actions. I plan to use this film as a regular part of my curriculum. I thank you so much for allowing me to use this film in my Batterer's Treatment Program and Child Abuse / Child Endangerment Program. It’s awesome in its purpose.
Sharon M. Vineyard, LMFT
New Beginnings Educational Programs
This dynamic portrayal of a young woman gamely moving on and up from the chaos, hurt and enduring bruises of an abusive past--one that suddenly lands on her present doorstep in the form of her struggling sister, hellion brother-in- law and stability starved nephews--heralds a stunning entry into features for filmmaker Rebecca Rodriguez. If the look and feel of this remarkable effort are any indication, her future in cinema is very bright indeed!
At times subtle, other times overpowering, "Coming Up Easy" is always riveting, rings authentic throughout and features an exceptional cast. Highly recommended.
A Stunning Entry
Jesse Oppenheimer from Los Angeles, CA
It was sweet and intense and colorful and real. I liked it very much. On more than one occasion, I was surprised by the direction events took. This is good.
The characters were all a little whack in their own ways and that was good, too. There were flashbacks and they didn't interrupt the narrative and they FELT like flashbacks, momentary reveries, in their implementation.
I encourage people to see this movie when they can. I hope Rebecca Rodriguez makes more movies and I look forward to seeing them.
Edward Martin III from Tigard, OR
David Walker, The Willamette Week
March 3, 2004
"Coming Up Easy, from writer-director Rebecca Rodriguez, is a harrowing drama of familial dysfunction. The tight script, original visual sense and surprisingly strong acting pay off."
Mark Mohan, The Oregonian
April 2, 2004
Emotional, heartfelt roller-coaster ride of a dysfunctional family...This movie stayed with me for quite sometime; which, as a real film lover, I say as a compliment. This movie is about something, and I really felt this film. The straightforward direction style, the strong performances, the visual excitement of the fantasy scenes, and the well-crafted script kept me involved on a cinematic level, but the story and the empathy for Lily (the lead character) had my emotions in a whirlwind. This only comes from the kind of storytelling that draws you into the characters lives.
Ms Rodriguez' fine directing uses just enough cinematic visual effects to add flavor to the film without showing off and drawing attention to her directing.
I'd love to see more work from this talented writer/director.
Art Hatley Palo Alto, CA
This movie is an accurate portrayal of the effects of childhood abuse on adults that suffered as children. It demonstrates both poles of reactions as an adult in both sisters; one very obvious and not so obvious in Lily, but never the less the damage is there. The various behaviors that are common to unhealthy families are also demonstrated vividly; the cycle of abuse, the difficulty an abused woman has in leaving her abuser, how the children learn to turn a deaf ear, and the distorted thinking of an abuser, to mention a few.
This is a thought provoking movie that has left each of my classes in which I have used it, bothered and reflective in their own actions. I plan to use this film as a regular part of my curriculum. I thank you so much for allowing me to use this film in my Batterer's Treatment Program and Child Abuse / Child Endangerment Program. It’s awesome in its purpose.
Sharon M. Vineyard, LMFT
New Beginnings Educational Programs
This dynamic portrayal of a young woman gamely moving on and up from the chaos, hurt and enduring bruises of an abusive past--one that suddenly lands on her present doorstep in the form of her struggling sister, hellion brother-in- law and stability starved nephews--heralds a stunning entry into features for filmmaker Rebecca Rodriguez. If the look and feel of this remarkable effort are any indication, her future in cinema is very bright indeed!
At times subtle, other times overpowering, "Coming Up Easy" is always riveting, rings authentic throughout and features an exceptional cast. Highly recommended.
A Stunning Entry
Jesse Oppenheimer from Los Angeles, CA
It was sweet and intense and colorful and real. I liked it very much. On more than one occasion, I was surprised by the direction events took. This is good.
The characters were all a little whack in their own ways and that was good, too. There were flashbacks and they didn't interrupt the narrative and they FELT like flashbacks, momentary reveries, in their implementation.
I encourage people to see this movie when they can. I hope Rebecca Rodriguez makes more movies and I look forward to seeing them.
Edward Martin III from Tigard, OR
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