IMDb >
Cruel But Necessary (2005)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsCruel But Necessary (2005) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Wendel Meldrum (writer)
Genre:
Plot:
Cruel But Necessary is the story of Betty Munson's strange journey of self-discovery and soul-awakening...
more
| add synopsis
Awards:
1 win
more
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Interesting, but what's the point?
more (3 total)
Cast
(Credited cast) | Wendel Meldrum | ... | Betty Munson |
 | Mark Humphrey | ... | Doug Munson |
| Luke Humphrey | ... | Darwin Munson |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
 | Kate Albrecht | ... | Betty's Assistant |
| Eddie Allen | ... | Alan |
| Esther M. Appel | ... | Gramma |
| Ian Axness | ... | Paul |
 | Jack Bryant | ... | Umpire |
| Jacob DeMonte-Finn | ... | Danny |
 | Sabine Ehrenfeld | ... | Laura |
 | Fred Goss | ... | Chad |
| Sam McMurray | ... | Apartment Manager |
| James O'Connel | ... | Teddy |
| Julie Payne | ... | Pearl |
 | Anya Profumo | ... | Alan's Assistant (as Anya Scemama) |
| Rino Romano | ... | Wayne |
| Ken Rothwell | ... | Groom |
| Tiffany Sazzmann | ... | Bride |
 | Deborah Theaker | ... | Nurse |
| Regina Welch | ... | Donna |
 | Lisa Zane | ... | Gynecologist |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was shot over a period of seven months; 45 days of weekend days only.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (3 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Cruel But Necessary (2005)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Howling | Caché | Enemy of the State | American Beauty | Broken Flowers |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
The third theatrical film directed by character-actor Saul Rubinek (did he flat-out own TRUE ROMANCE, or what) is a curious thing. Witty, and oddly fascinating, but at the end of the day just too damn esoteric for my taste.
The title refers to a video diary project of sorts that Betty (Wendel Meldrum) puts together to capture private confessions, or as a performance piece, or manipulation technique, or – hell, I couldn't figure it out. She hides her camera everywhere, takes it with her to the gynecologist, to work, on blind dates. Tapes herself talking about Buddhism and how "the inside of the mouth is the same kind of skin as inside the vagina".
Does she really want to know all the stuff she gets about other people, and if so, why? Will she be using the material in some evidentiary way? Is it simply to call attention to the way some people say one thing and turn around and do another, then try and justify it? Or, does Betty just need someone or thing to talk and share her innermost thoughts with, so the digital recorder acts as a therapist? The film never comes clean.
There's a scene at the end where Betty plays her tape to a roomful of people who've unwittingly acted as supporting cast members, and aside from using the word "unconscionable", they mostly remain speechless. At first, CRUEL BUT NECESSARY is funny and intriguing, but by that last scene, you gotta throw your hands up. It's well-acted and written, with Meldrum, our Betty, giving a spot-on, terrific performance. But d*mned if I know what the point was.