Rid of Me (2011)

A scathing black comedy of embarrassment, RID OF ME charts the emotional breakdown and rebirth of a woman ripe for self-discovery.

Director:

James Westby

Writer:

James Westby (screenplay)

Stars:

Katie O'Grady, John Keyser, Storm Large

Cast

Credited cast:
Katie O'Grady	...	Meris Canfield
John Keyser	...	Mitch Canfield
Storm Large	...	Briann Lockwood
Melik Malkasian	...	Masud
Betty Moyer	...	Mrs. Hurbold
John Breen	...	Bry-Guy
Orianna Herrman	...	Trudy
Ritah Parrish	...	Dawn
Melinda Chilton	...	Sue Ellen Haggemyer
Geno Romo	...	Chris Haggemeyer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Art Alexakis	...	Virgil
Cora Benesh	...	Freak Girl
Kristin Coleman	...	Softball Player
Denise Chanterelle DuBois	...	Sunshine the Barfly
Derek Estes	...	Pizza Boy

Storyline

A scathing black comedy of embarrassment, RID OF ME charts the emotional breakdown and rebirth of a woman ripe for self-discovery.

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Plot Keywords:

self discovery | black comedy | girl power | break up | divorce | 

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Taglines:

Kids can be mean...adults can be meaner.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 2011 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Portland, Oregon, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,660 (USA) (16 December 2011)

Gross:

$10,373 (USA) (6 January 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcove Productions/Parkwood East Film Co.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Excellent film - don't listen to the naysayers

I can be a bit squeamish about this or that, so the first 10 minutes or so of this film made me wonder what I was getting into, but I was soon deeply involved in poor Maris' sheltered life. It is a journey and I loved watching every darkly funny moment of it. Yes, the film is low- budget but the writing - the three acts, the dramatic arc - is all there. There is actually falling action and a full resolution after the horrifying climax. I was giggling at Maris, sad for Maris, laughing with Maris, cheering for Maris, fearing for Maris...and I won't spoil the ending, which I loved. I also loved her sugar-addicted friend. Please take this film to be very much like the very early days of independent film, where locals could be found in the background and local artists made cameos. If you liked "Scumrock" or other films like that, then you'll like this film.

Honestly, I'm troubled by the poor reviews of this film because I think it handles the very important subject of how we treat people who don't fall in what we consider the mainstream - from women, to artists, to people of color. Perhaps it takes on some parts of this subject on more than others, but it's only one movie. I also really liked some of the humor with ominous sound, when cutting to shots that showed the small town/pre-fab housing tableaux, for example. Lots of fun moments in this film.

Again, I do not understand why people are giving this film a bad review. As someone who is a life-long film watcher (films from all over the world, both big and small budget) and as someone with many friends who work in film, I see this film as nothing but a success. Perhaps the people reviewing the work have some other motives in mind.