Charlotte Sometimes (2002)

Michael, a young mechanic, is forced to choose between a daring tryst with an alluring stranger and the habitual comfort of his bittersweet obsession: his beautiful young tenant.

Director:

Eric Byler

Writers:

Eric Byler (screenplay), Eric Byler (story),

Stars:

Jacqueline Kim, Eugenia Yuan, Michael Aki

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jacqueline Kim	...	Darcy / Charlotte
Eugenia Yuan	...	Lori
Michael Aki	...	Michael (as Michael Idemoto)
Matt Westmore	...	Justin
Shizuko Hoshi	...	Aunt
Kimberly-Rose Wolter	...	Annie
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jon Jacobs	...	Jason on TV
Michael Krawic	...	Nightclub Owner
Andrew J. Turner	...	Andrew

Storyline

Michael, a young mechanic, is forced to choose between a daring tryst with an alluring stranger and the habitual comfort of his bittersweet obsession: his beautiful young tenant.

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Plot Keywords:

obsession | roommate | stranger | tryst | kiss | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the truth is in the lie.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official website

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Mandarin

Release Date:

11 March 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Duplex

Filming Locations:

Buttonwillow, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,284 (USA) (2 May 2003)

Gross:

$83,500 (USA) (4 July 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Visionbox Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film is taken from a song by The Cure.

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Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Charlotte Sometimes"
Written by Robert Smith, Laurence Tolhurst (as Lawrence Tolhurst), Simon Gallup
BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP) on behalf of FICTION SONGS Ltd./BMG MUSIC PUBLISHING Ltd.
Performed by Jacqueline Kim & Michael Brook

User Reviews

It's not a Hollywood or TV relationships movie - "Charlotte Sometimes" is a well-conceived, mature delivery on relationships - sex and love inclusive in all its naturalness

I don't think this is a film unique to Asians, it just so happened that the characters are Asian. There are hues of cultural family/generational expectations, like the scenes of Michael and his aunt. The dinner table scene somehow reminds me of writer-director Mina Shum's 1994 "Double Happiness," which included Chinese-Canadian family dinner scenes with Sandra Oh in the lead; also brings to mind director Wayne Wang's 1985 "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart."

Overall, I felt there are similarities in filmmaking style between Lynne Ramsay's "Morvern Callar" and Eric Byler's "Charlotte Sometimes" - the value of quiet moments, sparse dialog scenes, minimal lighting and silhouette shots; depiction of lonely feelings, alone-ness all by her/himself; loving yet not openly/readily showing so…secrets, pains, longings kept within. The storytelling approach is resonant of each other: not revealing it all to the audience, yet using music - here Byler has included songs by Cody ChestnuTT, to set the pace and tempo of the film. The presentation of relationship psyche is mature - the brief exchanges come across natural and of everyday ease. Yet, yes, it does feel like a thriller, emotion-wise. It's a tug of war. There is sexual tension. The sex in bed scenes - may be as sexy and suggestive as cable late nights, but it's not pornographic. Its camerawork integrally delivers with the soundwork - the grunts and noise of lovemaking are not forced but can be tantalizing.

Secrets and lies - yes there are: the relationship between Michael the quiet mechanic who reads (also the landlord) upstairs and Lori the pretty actress neighbor & friend downstairs; the relationship of Lori and Justin (her bed fellow and live-in boyfriend); the ménage à trois between Michael, Lori and Justin; the relationship of Michael and Darcy the stranger; the relationship between the two women - Lori and Darcy (or Charlotte sometimes); the other triangle of Michael, Darcy and Lori, and not to miss the Darcy and Justin moments. On the surface, simple and quiet as Michael would have it (seemingly so) - there are a lot goings on what lies beneath.

"Charlotte Sometimes" may not be for everyone (NFE), but it's definitely a formidable mature feature film first from w-d, co-editor, and co-producer, Eric Byler. Bravo to him and the actors and crew of this film, and to VisionBox Pictures for taking on the distribution.

For contrast, try w-d James F. Robinson's 1998 romantic fantasy: "Still Breathing" with Brendan Fraser and Joanna Going. There's also w-d Alan Jacob's 1994 down to earth fairytale of a relationship: "Nina Takes a Lover" with Laura San Giacomo and Paul Rhys. Both I've comments posted on IMDb.