Julie Johnson (2001)

Director:

Bob Gosse

Writers:

Wendy Hammond (written by) and
Bob Gosse (written by) ...

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The life you want is waiting to be found

Plot:

A woman attempts to realize the dreams she never knew she had.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Male Female Relationship | Lesbianism | Loss Of Lover | Hoboken New Jersey

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Noah Emmerich	...	Rick Johnson
Bill Golodner	...	Harry
Patrick Fitzgerald	...	Mike
Courtney Love	...	Claire
Lili Taylor	...	Julie Johnson
Gideon Jacobs	...	Franky Johnson
Mischa Barton	...	Lisa Johnson
Spalding Gray	...	Mr. Miranda
Kelly Hill	...	Ms. Hensen (as Kelley Hill)
Dana Chaifetz	...	Susan (as Dannah Chaifetz)
Gina Merchan	...	Girl 1 in Park
Samara Harris Anderson	...	Girl 2 in Park (as Samara Harris)
Welker White	...	Sally
Donna Hanover	...	Catherine Miranda
Chuck Montgomery	...	Bob

Runtime:

UK:94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Shooting Gallery

This Film Deserved a Theatrical Release - An Unexpected Surprise!

Wow - what an excellent film! Great acting, directing and story. Sort of "Rainman meets Hoboken housewife meets lesbian love affair". I must admit, I was very leery of watching this, fearing it was going to be a Lesbian Love Story. I must admit, I am not a fan of the L-Word, bit I loved Queer As Folk.

I watched this because I had a copy of the movie, having done a DVD Release Party at the club I work at. Otherwise, it would have been very unlikely that I would have ever watched it. That said, I am very glad I did.

The 90 minute film packs a lot of punch, and the first 30 minutes zoom by, setting the storyline for the rest of the film, so watch carefully. Lili Taylor and Courtney Love, the leading ladies are both excellent in their roles as relatively unhappy Hoboken NJ housewives. Julie (played by Taylor) embarks on a mission to get her GED, against her husbands wishes. She eventually kicks him out.

Claire (played by Love), her best friend from High School, leaves her husband. With no place to go, Claire moves in with Julie and her 2 children. In the meantime, Julie begins her quest for knowledge, passing her GED and eventually turning her goals towards a college degree.

Notice, we still don't have much of a love story, do we? Midway through the film, that all changes - in a compassionate, yet confusing manner. Without giving away the entire story line (which includes a few very funny scenes amongst most of the drama), two women must come to terms with their feelings, for each other, and for themselves.

This is really a gem of a film, and (as I have said before), it is a shame this will not be seen by many --- some whom desperately need to see a story like this. If Brokeback Mountain and Transamerica can make the big screen, well then so should Julie Johnson. This is not a lesbian love story, this IS a story about relationships, and the journey most of us take to achieve happiness and love in our own lives.

Buy, rent or see Julie Johnson.