All Over Me

Starring:Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Cole Hauser, Wilson Cruz, Leisha Hailey, Pat Briggs, Ann Dowd, Gene Canfield, Shawn Hatosy, Vincent Pastore, David Lee Russek, Aaron Marpole, John Ottavino, A. Russell Andrews, Gary Lucas, Mary Timony, Vanessa Godson, Jennifer Smith (III), Ari Gold
Director: Alex Sichel
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
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.

Amazon.com

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 parlor 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 harbors 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 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

Description

If you've forgotten what it's like to be fifteen, it all comes crashing back in this wonderfully edge look at the relationship between a sensitive, vulnerable young girl named Claude and her beautiful, quick-witted best friend Ellen.

Customer Reviews:

Not Another Teen Coming Out Movie.......2007-05-09

This movie really helped me to begin to feel more comfortable as a young woman coming into my own. This movie really hits it home that sometimes the best thing to do in life is to leave those from your past and follow the path that is right for you. The movie also bravely illustrates that no matter how much we may try, we cannot make another person follow the right path, even if it might mean the difference between life and death in that person's life.

Great.......2007-03-16

Except for a few rough spots, I loved this film. The way it portrays love, hate, and prejudice is excellent. Overall, a great film.

Coming of age.......2006-07-29

I brought this movie on a wim. It turn out this movie is great. it deals with teenager love no less about lesbian love. Takes place in new york. This is not a movie for everyone because it kind of slow pace. but if you have some time to actually witness a good movie about what it's like to be a teenager then by all means.

..................2005-10-24

This movie was okay...it's really slow paced, and is a low-budget film. I wouldn't buy it, I would rent it though or record it from showtime or something. There was something I didn't care for and i'm not sure what it is.....just so slow.....

An Overlooked But Important Film.......2005-06-24

I am really, really excited that this film has finally come to DVD- even though it contains no extra features, and this is a movie that could produce a wonderful commentary and/or DVD documentary. I first saw this film on Cinemax when I was about 14 years old and I haven't forgotten it even now that I'm in my early 20's. Alison Folland perfectly underplays Claude- a quiet, insecure girl whose relationship with her best friend Ellen (played by an inspired Tara Subkoff) becomes strained when Ellen starts spending all her time with her new boozing & druggie boyfriend- while at the same time Claude begins to have romantic feelings towards Ellen.

Folland's character soon makes friends with two very special people who encourage her to pursue her love of rock music- Luke, who just moves into the apartment building, and Lucy (Leisha Hailey, who was well-known as a member of the band The Murmurs when this film was released & also supplies some music to the film) who also gives Claude her first same-sex romantic encounter- which is done with a light, sweet & realistic touch. The film does become darker as it plays on, with Ellen's spiral into addiction and ending with a sudden and shocking hate crime takes the life of a friend, and forces Claude to grow up very quickly.

This is a wonderful film that everyone can take something meaningful from- you don't have to be a teenage girl or homosexual/bi-sexual to appreciate the characters, story, and ultimately the message. It also has a fantastic soundtrack (my copy still gets spun after a good seven years) that includes music from Sleater-Kinney, Patti Smith, Ani DiFranco, Tuscadero and many more that skillfully encapsulates both the mid-to-late 90's time period and feel of the movie.

Average customer rating:

Not Another Teen Coming Out Movie
Great
Coming of age
...........
An Overlooked But Important Film

All Over Me
Starring: Alison Folland , Tara Subkoff , Cole Hauser , Wilson Cruz , and Leisha Hailey
Director: Alex Sichel
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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