FINDING AMANDA
RYAN: We love a good small film, and “Finding Amanda” is just that.
CAROLINE: I really liked this movie. I had read good things about it so I had pretty high expectations, and they were met. And although she looks remarkably like Britney Spears a few years ago, Brittany Snow did a really good job.
RYAN: She pulls off a role that I never dreamed possible for her. She’s much edgier and grittier in this movie than usual, and even shocking with her language in some scenes.
CAROLINE: I think it’s a really challenging role for her. I don’t know much about her background, but I’m assuming she’s never been a prostitute before. But in this movie, her naïveté surrounding her circumstances is very convincing. She also has to dig deep in some heavier scenes, and she totally delivers.
RYAN: She’s so pretty and blonde and innocent looking that we tend to hold that against her since she’s always cast in those sweet roles like that TV show “American Dreams.” But I’m very impressed with her performance in this movie; maybe she can branch out into more diverse material now.
CAROLINE: She’s got great range. Who knew all you had to do was throw a little – ok, a lot – of spray tan on her and some extra hair bleach and she’d look like a tramp?
RYAN: She’s orange to the J. Lo degree in this movie.
CAROLINE: Matthew Broderick stars as her struggling-with-sobriety uncle, and sadly, he’s just as puffy as he was in “Then She Found Me” earlier this year.
RYAN: I’d go so far as to say he’s even sporting a nice set of moobs. Maybe an A-cup, but moobs nonetheless.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ I noticed them too! You’re making me laugh so hard I’m weeping… OK I’m settling down now. Matthew Broderick has some really funny lines and his delivery is great. He made me laugh out loud several times.
RYAN: He’s got that dry delivery that he’s known for. It’s kind of the same in every film, but I don’t get sick of it like I do with Will Ferrell’s shtick. It’s still working and it still makes me laugh.
CAROLINE: It was great in “Ferris Bueller” and it’s still great today. He’s very wry and funny. And I think at its core this movie is really relatable – not necessarily the hooker part, but all the family issues and the struggles to find one’s identity. I thought it was moving and well done.
RYAN: It’s really well cast too. There are some great little scenes, like the one where Amanda’s stripper friend is Nair-ing her butt.
CAROLINE: That was one of the funniest visuals I’ve ever seen.
RYAN: It’s a very well written script with good material. There was a part where I thought it was gonna take a really dark turn; but it didn’t, so I was relieved.
CAROLINE: It was just dark enough without being devastating. But there are still several harsh scenes that get pretty heavy. Maura Tierney plays Matthew B.’s wife and she’s great too.
RYAN: Bottom line?
CAROLINE: This is a great little indie movie. If you’re tired of all the summer blockbusters and you like these actors, I think you’ll enjoy it. Otherwise, you can wait to rent it; it’ll make a really good Movie On Demand one night.
RYAN: Totally. I loved the soundtrack too. It’s not a must-see in the theater when there are all these other big blockbusters out that need to be seen on the big screen with surround sound. But if you like indie movies, this is one that’s worth seeing since it’s got great actors who we all enjoy.
CAROLINE: Each one gives such a great performance. Welcome to a new phase of your career, Brittany Snow! This is her “Pieces of April.”