Not Again! (1996)

User Rating:

2.8/10   

Director:

Fred Kennamer

Writer:

Fred Kennamer (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

A girlfriend, whose every friend, loves her ex-boyfriend, even as she hates him.

Plot:

Angie, a befuddled young woman, cannot seem to end a hectic day, when she's confronted by her ex, Jamie...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Matt Battaglia	...	Clete
Bill Brochtrup	...	Glen
Mia Cottet	...	Celina
Susie Cusack	...	Angie
Bo Eason	...	Jamie
Michael David Lally	...	Lenny
Karl Makinen	...	Guy at Pool
Andy Mylar	...	Motorist
Marissa Ribisi	...	Rita
Jill Schoelen	...	Jenny

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Privateer Pictures

Trivia:

Producer Michael Huens negotiated with SAG and got one of the very first Low Budget Agreements on this film, when it was shot in 1994. Today, many filmmakers benefit from these Low Budget Agreements that SAG offers.

Quotes:

Angie: What are your soups?
Waiter: We have a lentil curry or miso clam potage.

Be patient; it gets better

Angie has known Jamie for years, and while they dated for a while, she only wants a platonic relationship. Jamie wants more. Angie's roommate Rita wants Jamie if Angie doesn't, and Jamie likes Rita okay, but he refuses to give up on Angie. Jamie turns into a stalker, but he's more annoying than dangerous. Complicating the situation are Angie's ex-boyfriend Glen, Rita's ex Clete, and Jamie's ex Jenny (who wears VERY short shorts).

At first I thought the summary of my comments was going to be 'not the first time either'. None of the characters were appealing except possibly Jamie. But as the movie progresses, and Jamie gets more annoying, Angie's reaction is not the obvious one, and she becomes easy to like. The movie as a whole appears to be a quality low-budget production in the second half.

Susie Cusack (sister of John and Joan) finally shows she can live up to the family name with a pleasant and humorous performance. Michael David Lally is good as Lenny, who Angie turns to for comfort but doesn't seem like boyfriend material. Mia Cottet also gives a good performance as Celina, a possible mate for Jamie.

Tobacco companies have often been accused of not putting strong enough warnings on packages. The problem appears to have been solved here. 'Death' brand cigarettes come in a black package with a large skull and crossbones. The warning apparently works because Rita, despite being depressed, doesn't light up.

Angie works out of her house for 'Save the Rodents'. She never seems to do any actual work, and the only person who ever calls is Jamie. We never really learn what the organization does, though mice are shown in the adorably cartoonish art with the closing credits (you HAVE to stay around for that).

There are many different styles of music, including effectively comical background music, but I especially enjoyed the traditional jazz in two scenes that were just too short--one with Rita and Jamie in a restaurant, and one with Angie and Lenny drinking.

This is actually a good movie if you don't give up on it.