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A Family Affair (2003)
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Synopsis: Helen Lesnick plays Rachel Rosen who flees New York City after another traumatic breakup with her capricious girlfriend Reggie Abravanel (Michele Greene). Rachel decides to make a fresh start cross country in San Diego. Rachel's parents, Leah and Sam Rosen (Arlene Golonka and Michael... Helen Lesnick plays Rachel Rosen who flees New York City after another traumatic breakup with her capricious girlfriend Reggie Abravanel (Michele Greene). Rachel decides to make a fresh start cross country in San Diego. Rachel's parents, Leah and Sam Rosen (Arlene Golonka and Michael Moerman) had retired to San Diego previously and are adamant to see their wayward daughter settle down with a nice girl. Determined to find "Ms. Rightowitz", Rachel goes on several blind dates that misfire badly (Sue Wakefield) & (Kelly Neill). She finally breaks down and lets her mother set her up with Christine Peterson (Erica Shaffer), by all appearances a typical California girl. Much to Rachel's chagrin, she realizes her mother is right about Christine and lo and behold, soon they are loading up the moving van! Rachel's and Christine's relationship continues to develop until a holiday dinner at Rachel's parents house where Rachel hears Christine call Leah "Mom"! Rachel panics. Meanwhile, Rachel's friends and family (Marc DeWhitt, David Radford, Lesnick, and Keith E. Wright) & (Suzanne Westenhoefer) wait for her to screw up the relationship. They know, even if she won't admit it, that she still carries a torch for her ex-girlfriend and they're not sure what would happen if Reggie reappeared to reclaim her. Will Rachel run from another commitment or stick around... -- © Atta Girl Productions [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Helen Lesnick, Erica Shaffer, Arlene Golonka, Barbara Stuart
DVD Info
Release:
May 7, 2005
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- 2-Disc Set
- Single Side - Single Layer
- Letterbox
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary
- Production Interviews
- Deleted Scenes
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
- Featurettes - 1. More From Wolfe Video
Reviews
Lesnick's sharp eye for humor manages to keep things from getting too preachy.
Without the ready-made drama of coming out and identity struggle, gay romance can feel as flimsy and forced as its straight counterpart.
Suffers from inexperienced filmmaking and a self-absorbed lead character who fails to elicit any truly tangible degree of audience sympathy.
A serious romantic comedy of such strength and substance and so entertaining that it doesn't matter that its minuscule budget shows around the edges.
The pacing never accelerates beyond sluggish, and Lesnick's script is an awkward pile of gag lines.
We get on board because of [Lesnick's] crazy, singular personality, and we're expected to stay in our seats when she grows conventional and boring.
Affair is chock-full of moments where Lesnick breaks the fourth wall and pretty much does a standup routine right into the camera. It's funny once in a while, but gets extremely grating.
Lesnick, who over exaggerates her every facial gesture like a stand-up comic, would have benefited from having a director other than herself.
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by: bkwyrm 3/30/03

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