I was really liking this movie, not having seen any reviews beforehand, and not really knowing what this was about. The cinematography was excellent. The girl who played CJ gave a nice performance, especially considering it was her first role. The problem I had with the movie was... it was clearly a "message" movie, which is fine, but for me, it sent all the wrong messages. CJ's teen pregnancy, and her dilemma as to whether to have the child or get an abortion. And Hopkins' illicit affair with a married lady. And then CJ's younger brother sneaking out the window to have sex with his girlfriend, and CJ providing condoms. I was hoping that this might be something refreshingly different.... a movie that *gasp* might actually promote virtuosity without sounding preachy or religious. I was ready to give this 8 or 9 stars until the ending. Instead, CJ goes through with the abortion, gets a "fresh" start, and off to college in Philly she goes. And Hopkins even gives his Mom 1/2 the money from the sale of his late Dad's house... the same Mom who taught him to hate his Dad all his life, and never apologized for it. I'm all for "choice" and all, don't get me wrong. But, why can't people make the *right* choices once in a while, in these kinds of films? Or, having made the wrong choices, (which we all do at times), why can't we see the fallout from those bad decisions? Hopkins was *very* lucky he didn't get shot, or at least severely beaten, by the husband of the lady he was having an affair with. He had the gall to ask her to stay with him, with her husband present! This could have been so much better. Huge let-down at the end. Bummer.
15 Reviews
A good film
hardycross15 January 2012
I write this because of the totally unfair review by "Ihmedeuce". Lebanon, Pa was a very entertaining movie with great acting. It had less Hollywood and more thought. The young actors were compelling and the story line quite interesting. No explosions or car crashes -- just a nice gem of a film.
The soundtrack was also well crafted, lots of great voicings and strings. This was an uplifting movie that gave one moments of helpless sensitivity due to the situations encountered in the plot.
These types of movies were made not for Academy Awards but more for gentle regular people to enjoy and must be watched in this light.
The soundtrack was also well crafted, lots of great voicings and strings. This was an uplifting movie that gave one moments of helpless sensitivity due to the situations encountered in the plot.
These types of movies were made not for Academy Awards but more for gentle regular people to enjoy and must be watched in this light.
Watch For Rachel Kitson
David_Brown23 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
It is an okay film, nothing special. The one thing I do not think it is preachy. ( this from. a Conservative who is not into Liberal message movies). Why? Because none of the characters in the film are exactly of a high moral standard and that certainly includes Vicki ( Samantha Mathis), Spoilers Ahead: CJ's ( Rachel Kitson), teacher who drives her to have an Abortion. Why? She cheated on her husband with CJ's Uncle Will. If it was preachy she would be a paragon of virtue or something like that. It does not matter it is is Will, his brother ( who rejected CJ), the kids in the School, CJ, her b/f or anyone else, no one looks very good. Perhaps the biggest flaw of the movie, is there is no character growth ( except Will); who is a complete jerk throughout the film, but does one thing right which is take CJ in, and then with him when he left town ( he was under no obligation to do so). CJ is by far the best character in the film ( no idea why Rachael Kitson never did another film), and there is hope for her and Will at the end of the movie. She is going to an elite University in Philadelphia, and Will will have to face responsibility for the first time in his life, by having to take care of a teenage girl. The others will simply amount to nothing 3 of 10 stars. All of them for Rachel Kitson
Interesting if you're in the mood for it
RNMorton21 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Advertising whiz Hopkins reassesses life after dad's death in Lebanon PA, as James Carville might say a little slice of Alabama within 100 miles of Philadelphia. Hopkins' niece Kitson in her first and only movie plays a high school senior pregnant and weighing her options. The two bond after a fashion and are really the focal point of the flick. Hopkins gets involved with married Mathis (Bibi Besch's daughter) to add just another wrinkle. The story as it plays out was very down to earth. As a pro-lifer I did not at all agree with Kitson's resolution of her pregnancy, but the portrayal of the influences (persons and ideas) on her decision making seemed realistic and the answers to certain questions she had were left open. So I didn't like her choice but the movie wasn't preachy and she feels some of the consequences of her road at the close.
If you are in good shape and have hair...
mickeynj1 July 2011
...you are charming. I read the synopsis, then watched the movie, that is the conclusion I made. The geeks, psychos, cuckolds, etc are all bald and I guess being bald is symbolism for loser these days. There are many things to hate about this movie, from the plot, to the undeveloped story, to the B acting, to the there is nothing to like about his protagonist, to the stereotypes of rural living and communities, on and on it goes. This movie is filled with characters who seem unable to see the world through anything but their own selfish and immature perspective. Who take little to no responsibility for their own actions and learn nothing from the trials of others. This is perfectly summed up in the line "when WE kissed that night, didn't YOU think about what might happen (to MY marriage)?". A cast of mostly unlikable characters, but hey, Will has hair and is in great shape, so he must be charming.
What not to do
dmaboyer24 March 2012
This is a fine example of making every bad decision you could possibly make. From abortion to an affair with a married person to teen sex to getting drunk. They do it all but somehow it all works out in the end and everyone will live happily ever after. If you watch this as a movie about what not to do then it would be OK. They could have done a move about pro-abortion and teen angst without the B story of the guy coming back to sell his father's house. The main (A) was about the girl and her problems. His story was real superfluous. I lived near Lebanon for three years. Even though it was not my favorite place to live I can tell you that not everybody is a redneck. It is also not that conservative. It is more conservative than Philly but it is not Redneck country. I could not recommend this movie to anyone.
I really loved this movie
mschultzk1 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Not really a review just wanted to show my appreciation for all those who produced this movie, directed it, worked on the cast and acted in it. It was just excellently done because it felt real. I loved it and felt I was watching a quality movie. I don't know how this movie wasn't well reviewed or even up for any awards because it really stands up to a lot of other movies that have garnered attention and have gotten awards. I am just a Netflix viewer who stumbled upon this movie but am happy I did because I have often watched movies and wanted those two hours of my life back.This one made me want to know what happens to these characters. Did he have a job to go back to? Did she regret her decision? What happened to the teacher? Her marriage? I liked this one a lot.
Hollywood garbage by any other name is still garbage.
jhmdeuce26 November 2011
Lebanon, PA.
I picked this up at the local library. It was a "quick pick," mostly because of the review on the cover of the DVD, "Vastly superior to most of the Hollywood dreck we've been getting lately." That was enough for me. A good movie, minus the Hollywood propaganda. The idea that anything goes. Children are always more intelligent than their parents. Adultery is not only permissible, it's preferable. People who happen to believe in God are morons, even though the vast majority of Americans do believe. A story minus the glitzy aimless life preached by Hollywood.
Wrong. It was everything I thought I was avoiding but set in middle America. An indie film that portrays plain old Pennsylvania people as morons and bigots, lacking the "understanding" and "insight" of the benighted entertainers. Planned Parenthood is benign and helpful; Christians are cold, heartless, brutish and just plain ignorant. Morality is determined by strangers. The family is a farce.
This is just a stealthy attempt to impart the same old "Hollywood dreck" at it's "drecky-ist." The conclusion of the movie is as predictable as the plot.
Watch it...if you're just a "plain old" American who's more interested in being insulted than in being entertained.
Indie film makers should remember what Hollywood mogul Jack Warner said so long ago, "If you want to send a message, call Western Union."
I picked this up at the local library. It was a "quick pick," mostly because of the review on the cover of the DVD, "Vastly superior to most of the Hollywood dreck we've been getting lately." That was enough for me. A good movie, minus the Hollywood propaganda. The idea that anything goes. Children are always more intelligent than their parents. Adultery is not only permissible, it's preferable. People who happen to believe in God are morons, even though the vast majority of Americans do believe. A story minus the glitzy aimless life preached by Hollywood.
Wrong. It was everything I thought I was avoiding but set in middle America. An indie film that portrays plain old Pennsylvania people as morons and bigots, lacking the "understanding" and "insight" of the benighted entertainers. Planned Parenthood is benign and helpful; Christians are cold, heartless, brutish and just plain ignorant. Morality is determined by strangers. The family is a farce.
This is just a stealthy attempt to impart the same old "Hollywood dreck" at it's "drecky-ist." The conclusion of the movie is as predictable as the plot.
Watch it...if you're just a "plain old" American who's more interested in being insulted than in being entertained.
Indie film makers should remember what Hollywood mogul Jack Warner said so long ago, "If you want to send a message, call Western Union."
Decisions: The How and Why of Making Them
gradyharp6 July 2011
LEBANON, PA. is a quiet little conversational film that is a microcosm of the interrelationships of families and the issues that affect us all. It is this straight forward, no pretenses stance that makes the film work. The story takes place in the town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and is portrayed as a place where values are traditional and immutable. But after viewing the film, one wonders if the reference to this very church- oriented place might be the biblical one: Jeremiah 22:23 'O inhabitant of Lebanon, nested among the cedars, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain as of a woman in travail!' Just a passing thought....
A death has occurred at film's beginning: Will (Josh Hopkins, another actor to add to the Hunk list) has driven form his advertising firm in Philadelphia for the funeral of his distant father, a teacher and toy boat maker who left his family when Will was young to live in this picturesque but doggedly small town mentality haven. He stays with his cousin Andy (Ian Merrill Peakes), a devout Catholic whose wife died giving birth to his second child Chase (Hunter Gallagher). His daughter CJ (Rachel Kitson) is the woman of the house despite the fact that she is only seventeen and in high school. Will attends the sparse funeral of his father: his mother (Mary Beth Hurt) is conspicuously absent, preferring to remain in Philadelphia because of her longterm resentment of he departed husband. Will finds the slow motion of Lebanon enticing, makes regular visits to the local bar (Christopher Mann plays the observant bartender) where he meets school teacher Vicki (Samantha Mathis), hits on her, falls for her only to discover she is married.
CJ has a problem: she is pregnant by classmate Pete (Josh Hunt) but has told no one - until she shares her with Will, a man she feels she can trust. CJ has dreams of attending college in Philadelphia but her current pregnant status threatens that. She is faced with a major decision: keep the pregnancy and put the child up for adoption or terminate the pregnancy to get on with her life. Will is supportive as is Vicki with out telling CJ what to do but assuring her she has options. Andy discovers CJ's secret (as does the entire gossipy town) and on religious grounds demands that she have the baby. How CJ comes to a decision is as tough as the decision Vicki must make about her deep feelings, reciprocated, for Will, and Will must decide whether to follow his father's pathway to isolation form the city or maintain his status quo. The interaction of all these characters results in some tough but realistic decisions about those things we all face in life.
Ben Hickernill wrote and directed this film which at times feels like a Hallmark special and at other times like a solid and brave little statement about the cultural divide in America.
Grady Harp
A death has occurred at film's beginning: Will (Josh Hopkins, another actor to add to the Hunk list) has driven form his advertising firm in Philadelphia for the funeral of his distant father, a teacher and toy boat maker who left his family when Will was young to live in this picturesque but doggedly small town mentality haven. He stays with his cousin Andy (Ian Merrill Peakes), a devout Catholic whose wife died giving birth to his second child Chase (Hunter Gallagher). His daughter CJ (Rachel Kitson) is the woman of the house despite the fact that she is only seventeen and in high school. Will attends the sparse funeral of his father: his mother (Mary Beth Hurt) is conspicuously absent, preferring to remain in Philadelphia because of her longterm resentment of he departed husband. Will finds the slow motion of Lebanon enticing, makes regular visits to the local bar (Christopher Mann plays the observant bartender) where he meets school teacher Vicki (Samantha Mathis), hits on her, falls for her only to discover she is married.
CJ has a problem: she is pregnant by classmate Pete (Josh Hunt) but has told no one - until she shares her with Will, a man she feels she can trust. CJ has dreams of attending college in Philadelphia but her current pregnant status threatens that. She is faced with a major decision: keep the pregnancy and put the child up for adoption or terminate the pregnancy to get on with her life. Will is supportive as is Vicki with out telling CJ what to do but assuring her she has options. Andy discovers CJ's secret (as does the entire gossipy town) and on religious grounds demands that she have the baby. How CJ comes to a decision is as tough as the decision Vicki must make about her deep feelings, reciprocated, for Will, and Will must decide whether to follow his father's pathway to isolation form the city or maintain his status quo. The interaction of all these characters results in some tough but realistic decisions about those things we all face in life.
Ben Hickernill wrote and directed this film which at times feels like a Hallmark special and at other times like a solid and brave little statement about the cultural divide in America.
Grady Harp
Too Preachy
meganjudith9 September 2011
There are MANY controversial issues in this film : abortion, adoption, conservative, liberal, religion, infidelity, teen sex....jeez! Too much for one movie. I thought is was going to be about urban living vs. small town. This was not even a discussion, but rather the writer predictably stereotyped each kind of living. This was very uninteresting in light of the local food movement and current trend to blend both worlds. There was no new thought in this film, but rather an attempt at almost every moment to remain "neutral" on the many controversies. Unfortunately, it ended up being one big preach. There were only a few moments when I felt like the dialog and acting were convincing. Otherwise, it either dragged or the actors were "educating" me on these issues. Poorly written, nothing special about the production value, and aside from waiting to hear what the stance is....it's pretty boring. Don't recommend it.
Lebanon, PA turns out to be Babylon!
kdu7192 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This film should have been titled "Save a whale, kill a child!" without a doubt one of the most lopsided movies with a liberal agenda that I've ever seen. With a cast of no body's and a writer, director Ben Hickernell who is a no body it is easy to see why this picture didn't gross a dime in its theatrical release, it should have gone straight to DVD.
Mr. Hickernell must be very angry for being born and after watching this I understand why he feels that way. I hope he didn't quit his day job.
The one star is for the acting, which for a very low budgeted movie as this, is not terrible.
Do not waste your money by buying this on DVD, get it on Netflix or on regular TV.
Mr. Hickernell must be very angry for being born and after watching this I understand why he feels that way. I hope he didn't quit his day job.
The one star is for the acting, which for a very low budgeted movie as this, is not terrible.
Do not waste your money by buying this on DVD, get it on Netflix or on regular TV.
Originally published in Reel Reviews
uptonia23 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
As soon as "Lebanon, PA" starts to spin, viewers are thrust into the life of Will (Josh Hopkins, "Cougar Town"), a 35-year old professional from Philadelphia who learns his father has just passed away. Will makes the trek to Lebanon to arrange for his fathers funeral and manage his estate; there, he wrestles with his relationship and memory of his father. Meanwhile, neighbor and distant cousin CJ (played wonderfully by newbie Rachel Kitson) attaches to Will and shares with him the secret of her pregnancy. As a high school senior her pregnancy opens a floodgate of internal emotions, social ramifications and family interference. "Lebanon, PA" is a feel good movie that does not feel very good. It is deep and questioning; it is disturbing and raw. Director Ben Hickernell turns the topic of Pro-Choice versus Pro-Life into an emotional fistfight between father and daughter. Through his film, Hickernell paints Lebanon as a roughneck, conservative, closed-minded countryside. When I think of Lebanon, I think of the city. So, the setting lost me. However, this film is not so much about place as it is about "your" place, where you belong as a human being, and the things that surround you making you truly unique. Catch this limited engagement if you can. You might feel bad after watching the movie, but it is worth it.
Did not like Will (contains spoilers)
northpaw777715 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this movie today before I left for work. It was OK. I didn't like the lead character, Will. He was a train wreck. He's annoying and acts stupid for his age. It seems like he caused problems for everybody that he came into contact with. It starts out where he has to travel out to Lebanon, PA to handle his father's affairs after he dies. It turns into him expecting his boss to put his job on hold for him while he decides what he wants to do with his life. Then he stirs up trouble for a married school teacher who he has an affair with and drags her into the middle of his problems. He's cold and insensitive to his teenage cousin when she needs somebody to talk to. At one point it's her birthday and he acted like a total jerk to her, because he was having a hissy fit about his married lover. But it's all about him. I felt bad for his mom who was in tears when she explained to him that she needed the money from the house that he was supposed to sell, but is considering keeping for himself. Again, it's all about him. What a guy. He finally got his a** kicked for all of the trouble he caused. I do have to admit, he saved face at the end of the film when he got out of his self centered fog.
On the flip side, Rachel Kitson who played CJ did a great job. She was totally believable in the part she played as his teenage cousin.In reality, this girl would have never confided in Will. I still don't understand how they ended up working that into the storyline.
This movie gets a little monotonous at times. I wouldn't recommend it.
On the flip side, Rachel Kitson who played CJ did a great job. She was totally believable in the part she played as his teenage cousin.In reality, this girl would have never confided in Will. I still don't understand how they ended up working that into the storyline.
This movie gets a little monotonous at times. I wouldn't recommend it.
A HORRIBLE FILM
bobfrom1 February 2018
choices
Vincentiu5 October 2013
different images of family relationship, return to past, significant moment to transform your life. at first sigh, nothing new. maybe too more elements, a too complex lesson about responsibilities and essential gestures/decisions but important remains the basic fact than it is only a fresco of choices. sure, it is not a great movie and its sins are many. but it is a honest movie and this fact defines it. picture of a side of America, without ambition to impress its public, it is a form of analysis of common realities in a clear light. the acting is OK, the script- not bad, and good intentions are admirable. a film about link between past and future, it can be good subject of reflection for each of its viewers.
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