April Showers (2009)

A look inside a tragedy through the eyes of a survivor. Based on actual events, April Showers is about picking up the pieces in the direct aftermath of school violence. Set in a middle ... See full summary »

Director:

Andrew Robinson

Writer:

Andrew Robinson

Stars:

Anna Adams, Dominic Arellano, Mark Arnold

Cast

Credited cast:
Anna Adams	...	April's Friend #1
Dominic Arellano	...	Reporter
Mark Arnold	...	Sean's Father
Tom Arnold	...	Mr. Blackwell
Tyrone Beasley	...	Agent McFarlane
Kelly Blatz	...	Sean Ryan
Brigette Chizek	...	Patricia Blackwell
Ben Chrystak	...	Ben
Paul R. Coate	...	Philip Hall
Suzanne Deyo	...	Reporter
Josh Doucette	...	Angry Student
Illeana Douglas	...	Sally
Sean Durrie	...	Nick
Jenna Edwards	...	Super Market Clerk
Dean Fastnacht	...	Grieving Parent

Storyline

A look inside a tragedy through the eyes of a survivor. Based on actual events, April Showers is about picking up the pieces in the direct aftermath of school violence. Set in a middle class suburban neighborhood, April Showers focuses on the lives of a handful of teachers and students as they attempt to make sense of a world that has just been turned upside down by one of their own. With the community and an entire nation caught up in the 'story', the students of Jefferson High must turn to one another for answers. In the wake atrocity, the rifts caused by misinformation and a frenzied media prove difficult to overcome. Lost and lonely under the international spotlight, one young man navigates his way through his almost indiscernible home. From quaint suburban town to battlefield turned media circus, Jefferson High provides the backdrop for Sean's struggle to cope with the loss of his friend April.

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Taglines:

In an instant, their world changed forever.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some disturbing violent content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amok - Columbine School Massacre

Filming Locations:

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

April Showers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I Won't Cry"
Performed by Janel Parrish

User Reviews

Not enough depth to have a true impact.

Based on his real life experience of surviving the Columbine High School Massacre, writer and director, Andrew Robinson comes up with a retelling, titled "April Showers" which promises to deliver something that will make us all think. I applaud Andrew for achieving something that must have been very hard to do. To relive these terrible events in an effort to outline how some of these survivors coped and how some didn't through such a troubling time , was a courageous thing to do. with solid Cinematography and passable acting, the film really should have delivered what it was striving for, but unfortunately, due to some real problems, it falls quite hard. To start with, for a film of this nature to work, we really have to connect with the characters. Unfortunately, the film prevents us from getting acquainted with the people involved, through lack of story development. The Massacre happens in the first five minutes of the film, so we are thrust into the deep end before knowing anything. So instead of the emotional strain that the viewer should be feeling, we can separate ourselves from them. I compare it to hearing something on the news, which takes place over the other side of the world. Yes its shocking, but there isn't as much impact for us, as opposed to having a relative or friend in the actual tragedy. This film didn't allow us to really care what was going on, which makes the second half of the film rather boring, as we try our best to connect with those grieving, but just can't. My other problem is that the main focus of the film, the relationship between Sean and April, takes the gloss away from the only really interesting character, one that is going through post traumatic stress. There is just no allowance for any chemistry between the romance of the lead two, and like the majority of the film, it just feels like its eating away the run time, as opposed to actually building a solid platform of emotion. If the film was done in way that we have development and then the tragedy, I feel it could have worked. But as a result of impatience and maybe a lack of experience, the director chose a different path that ultimately hurts it and prevents it from being a memorable experience. Ordinary at best, but a courageous move from the director.