By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Alan Ruck | Catherine Lloyd Burns | Justin Louis | Louis Ferreira | Mark Boone Junior | Mat Malloy | Megan Mulally | Michele Hicks | Radha Mitchell
Country: united_states
Year: 2001
Running time: 87
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0228277
Michael says: “EVERYTHING PUT TOGETHER is the feature directorial debut from Marc Forster, whose MONSTER’S BALL starring Billy Bob Thornton is due out soon. TOGETHER stars HIGH ART‘S Radha Mitchell as a young suburban woman, pregnant and about to give birth. She hangs with her similarly pregnant friends, takes special care in decorating her new nursery, and chats with her distant mother by phone.
“Her son Gabriel, born perfect and healthy, suffers a tragic fate less than 24 hours after birth in the form of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The movie pretty accurately portrays the distancing of her friends, the frustration of her husband, and Angie’s own grief, and her difficulty in dealing with the days that follow.
“Forster is blessed with terrific performances, especially from Mitchell, who shows us Angie’s deeply felt grief, and sometimes pseudo-irrational behavior, without tipping anything into hysteria or melodrama. It was fun to see ‘Will & Grace’s’ Meagan Mullally turn in a fine supporting performance as one of Angie’s several self-involved friends who can only deal with women who are experiencing the joys of pregnancy and motherhood.
“He’s also got a smart screenplay, and effectively disturbing use of sound. The film is shot on digital video, with natural lighting, which Forster also uses effectively.
“I wish more people had been able to see this film, as it tackled a difficult subject that little is known about, and presented it not as a message film, but as a good, dramatic movie.” 4 cats
Laura says: “This intriguing original screenplay explores Angie’s jagged mental state, exacerbated by an isolation which recalls Todd Hayne’s SAFE and a communal disintegration which suggests THE STEPFORD WIVES. Roberto Schaeffer’s digital video camera is artfully placed, but the images are tainted by auto focus corrections, subpar lighting and the shadows of crew members.” 4 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/everythingputtogether.htm”
Robin says: “The good artistic qualities of EVERYTHING PUT TOGETHER far outweigh the poor technical aspects of the film. High marks to Forster and Mitchell (who also co-produced) for creating an interesting and gripping drama.” 3 1/2 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/everythingputtogether.htm”
Kevin says: “Speaking of EVERYTHING PUT TOGETHER, I saw the screener copy of that film last night. I came in with no expectations and absolutely loved it. [In a nutshell] A young married couple has a child, and the infant suddenly dies of SIDS, sending the grieving mother on a downward spiral into depression. Great cinematography, screenplay, and really well performed (especially by Radha Mitchell–who I liked so much in HIGH ART, and then never saw again til now). At times, I found it very disturbing, overall very effective and realistic. The supporting characters (her friends specifically) seem almost like caricatures, which is a bit jarring at first, but I think gives a strong, stark message, and is–in the end–not a flaw. I really reccomend that you guys get ahold of a copy of this screener.” 4.5 cats
Hilary says: “I feel almost guilty writing in on this one, after the raves that have appeared from my fellow members, but I have to say that I’m shocked that this was so well-received.
“I saw EVERYTHING PUT TOGETHER early this year when it came to MIT as part of a digital video festival and found it be wholly unexceptional. (Perhaps it was overhauled since I saw it?)
“The performances were either completely wooden or thoroughly melodramatic, as befitting the Lifetime Television for Women Movie of the Week-caliber script. The latter half of the film took on a heavy-handed Gothic twist, apparently borrowing from ROSEMARY’S BABY. A sequence of Radha Mitchell running through a storage facility with flickering lights was particularly
trite.”