By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Andrew Drazek
Starring: Adam Busch | Aimee-Lynn Chadwick | Edrick Browne | Jordan Kessler | Laura Silverman
Original language title: All-American Orgy
Country: united_states
Year: 2010
Running time: 98
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1328909/
Jason says: “I admit it – when I opened up the IMDB page for CUMMINGS FARM for reference while writing this review, I was kind of shocked to go straight to the film page, rather than a list of this film and a dozen bits of porn. I’m guessing they have some filtering going on, although given the name and the plot description, I sort of figure that this would be flagged as adult entertainment by accident, even though it winds up being pretty much the opposite of that sort of movie.
“Three couples are traveling to Cummings Farm for an orgy, hoping to spice up their moribund sex lives. We first meet Alan (Adam Busch) and Yasmine (Yasmine Kittles), who bicker for the whole trip. Then there’s Gordon (Jordan Kessler) and Rachel (Aimee-Lynn Chadwick); they’re running late because Gordon is drunk again. Already present are Todd (Ted Beck), who came up with the idea, and Tina (Laura Silverman), his wife, whose grandparents owned the farm. Oh, and then there’s Larenz (Edrick Browne), delivering some weed to Gordon, who hasn’t told the others about the extra guest.
“Beck (who wrote the script) and director Andrew Drazek aren’t doing much in the way of a bait and switch here; it’s clear from the start that this is a pretty bad idea that only roughly half of the participants are actually excited for. So instead of building up a sense of anticipation, the film sets up a feeling of unease. Some of it is forced; the accusations that Larenz is unwelcome because he’s black, for instance, manage to feel gratuitous but also don’t go far enough to actually be insightful. In almost every other aspect, though, it’s note perfect; the filmmakers get the idea across that this isn’t going to save any relationships but it doesn’t quite feel like a ticking time bomb.
“And some of them really should feel that way. Just watch Todd and Tina, for instance. They never talk about things being bad, but there’s tremendous discomfort to any scene they’re in. Todd is a music-industry A&R guy, while Tina comes across as a simple farmgirl, and as the only couple with kids, one has to wonder if this was a shotgun marriage, once upon a time. There’s a constant dynamic of Todd disdaining her for not being worldly or sophisticated as Rachel or Yasmine, and acute embarrassment from Tina as she feels herself falling short of what her husband really wants. Though the movie is set up as an ensemble piece, Laura Silverman quietly takes control of the film; she gives the audience one moment to snicker at her and then makes them feel for her until the end.
“She arguably steals the movie away from Adam Busch and Yasmine Kittles; they’re the first of the couples we see as the movie starts, and the one that is most arguably free to go in any direction once the plot lets them figure out just how they actually feel. They’re fun to watch bicker, at least at first – Busch delivers fine nervous sarcasm as Alan, funny but also just whiny enough that it feels kind of good when Kittles’s Yasmine verbally slaps him down.
“The rest of the cast is good, as well, although their characters aren’t quite so charged. Kessler does well in making Gordon sort of a tool, but laid back enough that it doesn’t overpower the audience. Aimee-Lynn Chadwick is nice enough as Rachel, and a good pair with everyone the film has her work with. Browne is good, but ultimately it feels like he’s there to say something about Gordon.
“So, not as much sex as you might think. But it’s a pretty good job of trying to get psyched up for it. 4 cats
“Seen 30 March 2010 at Landmark Kendall Square #3 (Boston Underground Film Festival, digital video)”