Getting to Know You (1999)A chance encounter alters a teenage girl's perception of herself and her outlook on life. Director:Lisanne Skyler |
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Getting to Know You (1999)A chance encounter alters a teenage girl's perception of herself and her outlook on life. Director:Lisanne Skyler |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Heather Matarazzo | ... |
Judith
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| Zach Braff | ... |
Wesley
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| David Aaron Baker | ... |
Dr. Clarke
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| Catherine Anne Hayes | ... |
Large Woman
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Craig Anthony Grant | ... |
Ticket Clerk
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| Michael Weston | ... |
Jimmy
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Richard Bright | ... |
Elderly Man
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| Celia Weston | ... |
Bottle Lady
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| Bebe Neuwirth | ... |
Trix
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| Mark Blum | ... |
Darrell
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| Bo Hopkins | ... |
Officer Caminetto
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| Tom Gilroy | ... |
Jimmy's Father
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Tristine Skyler | ... |
Irene
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| Sonja Sohn | ... |
Lynn
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Richard Alliger | ... |
Blackjack Skeptic
(as Rich T. Alliger)
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Two teens tell stories about their lives while waiting at a bus stop. Judith and her brother have suffered a nomadic existence with their semi-professional ballroom dancing parents, who are now past their prime. Jimmy tells two tales. One about two women who meet up with a high-roller in Atlantic City. The second is about an infertile woman's marriage to a religious fanatic. The three stories are told in anthology style. Meanwhile, bus station denizens wander in and out. Chief among these are a bag lady and a fat cop. Written by John Sacksteder <jsackste@bellsouth.net>
Martarazzo, Weston, and Braff are amazing in the three lead roles of this independently made slice-of-life film. Bebe Neuwirth plays the mother with her customary excellence. Terrific support is supplied by Bo Hopkins, Celia Weston, Mary McCormack, and Tristine Skyler as people hanging around the bus station. The intermingling of Joyce Carol Oates short stories as apocryphal tales told by Weston is brilliant. However, the film bogs down significantly when it comes time to reveal Martarazzo and Braff's family secrets. Nevertheless, a nice touch at the end brings is helpful in restoring the magic. Altogether, this is a nice independent effort for the promising Lisanne Skyler, but it could have been a tad tighter.