It's
a whole new ballgame!
Sometimes
film, like love, defies logic. It defies
critical thought...it defies all that is
reasonable, explainable and instead becomes
something that invades our hearts and our souls
with such purity and passion that it simply
cannot be denied. For me, "Maggie and Annie" is
such a film.
"Maggie and Annie" will not please every viewer.
On the surface, my great love of this film could
not possibly be explained. This 2004 production
by Kimberly Wilson and Rainbow Chaser
Productions was filmed on an $80,000 budget.
Yes, that's right...an $80,000 budget. To be
honest, it shows. The film is nearly devoid of
anything resembling special effects...it's
camera work is simple, but far from spectacular.
Even the sound quality is clear & concise, but
obviously low budget.
"Maggie and Annie" works on a deep level because
writer/director/producer Kimberly Wilson had the
courage to write a script that didn't always
make sense and was almost destined to anger the
very community it was trying to reach, the
gay/lesbian community.
The film centers around Annie...Annie has it all
in life, a loving husband and a beautiful little
girl. Having recently moved to a new town, her
entire life changes when she shows up at a
softball practice with an interest in playing.
She meets Maggie, an openly gay, cute and
athletic young woman. Despite an obvious
attraction, Maggie pledges to not make a move
due to Annie's wonderful family. A night of
drinking and celebrating at an out-of-town
tournament changes everything.
I respect this film because Wilson, as the
writer, made challenging choices that ring of
tremendous authenticity. She broke cliche's,
broke stereotypes and instead focused on the
humanity of these relationships. None of these
people were really shown in a negative
light...they were shown as human beings trying
to make human choices based on human feelings.
The gay/lesbian community offered great
resistance to this film due to a very unexpected
ending that wasn't "happy" enough of an
ending...After all, gay/lesbian films are
supposed to end up happy for the gays/lesbians
involved. This film took a unique approach that
was, at once, a surprise and yet oddly
satisfying as a sort of conflict resolution.
When Maggie and Annie finally get together, the
scenes of intimacy are among the most honest,
tender scenes I have witnessed on screen. I
forgot that I was watching two lesbians...I was
watching two women who so completely loved each
other. Quite simply, it was beautiful.
The cast, made up of relative newcomers and
indie film folks...all performed well...often
making me forget the low-budget nature of this
film. Amy Thiel brings an innocence...a
conviction to Annie...from her scenes with
Maggie to the scenes with her family and her
daughter. As Maggie, Joy Yandell sparkles with a
sincerity, conviction and the honesty of a young
woman who has finally found her true love but
has no idea what to do with it. Adam Knox does a
nice job as Annie's husband, and Jennifer Steele
is adorable as her little girl.
Throughout this film, I also noticed an
incredibly appropriate and entertaining
soundtrack of mostly small label and independent
musicians.
I confess that I'm a fan of independent
films...I admire those who give their heart and
souls to their work...often without much
financial reward or recognition. Yet, seldom
have I been moved as much as I have been by this
film. I laughed and I cried throughout this
film. I offer this film an A-...to be honest,
not so much because it is a "perfect"
film...but, because it is true filmmaking...it
is a shining example that the independent
filmmaker can make a true work of art that
entertains, inspires and changes the viewer.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
