Lovers, Liars and Lunatics (2006)

Two inept robbers take a dysfunctional family hostage during a burglary gone wrong, and are soon victimized by their own hostages.

Director:

Amber Benson

Writer:

Amber Benson

Stars:

Amber Benson, Christine Estabrook, Michael Muhney

Cast

Cast overview:
Amber Benson	...	Justine
Christine Estabrook	...	Elaine Raye
Michael Muhney	...	Louis
Mia Cottet	...	Gloria
Bianca Lopez	...	Sally
Vic Polizos	...	Paddy Raye
James C. Leary	...	Policeman #1 (as James Leary)
Ryan Spahn	...	Julian Raye
Cole Williams	...	Gunner
Lars Woods	...	Policeman #2 (as Rayder Woods)

Storyline

In this convoluted story of lust, deception and accidental murder, Paddy Raye is the owner of a small Los Angeles appliance store whom is also a domineering and philandering patriarch who deals with his neurotic wife Elaine, their punk wannabe teenage son Gunner, and their sexually ambiguous older son Julian. Paddy is having an affair with his slutty, but cunning, young secretary Gloria. When Gloria finds out the Raynes will be out of town for the weekend, she enlists the help of her not-so-bright brother, Louis, and his ditsy girlfriend, Justine, to break into the empty house and steal the payroll money Paddy takes home on the weekends. But Louis and Justine get more than they bargained for when they find the house not empty -- and find themselves trapped in the middle of a full-scale family squabble with no means of escape, except to administer a little "tough love" family therapy.

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Plot Keywords:

hostage | dysfunctional family | f rated | robbery | independent film | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Benson Entertainment Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Well paced farce, with tragedy waiting in the wings.

This is a well-balanced, carefully timed farce, with tragedy waiting in the wings. The casting has been done with care, and the warring family at the centre are very believable. Amber has written a story that shows her left-field imagination at its best, and as a director shows that she can handle a full crew as well as anyone. Her editing produces a pace that is well-balanced and pulls you into the story before racing you along. Amber's role is another tough one to pull off successfully because the character is not driving the situation. For me this is when you see an actor at their best. As the bullied and abused side-kick Amber is painfully convincing: at times you'll feel like comforting her, or kicking the boyfriend's butt. Independent movies are hard to finance, and Amber has worked like a Trojan to raise the funds for a full crew, and production schedule, even getting money from her fans. Not only does Amber write, direct, edit, produce and star, she also sticks the labels on the envelopes when you buy the DVD. This is an A+ effort and I look forward to seeing Amber Benson's mainstream directorial debut in the near future.