The_late_Buddy_Ryan
Signing up Zack Gilford ("Friday Night Lights") and Emmy Rossum {'Shameless") to play a teenage Stanley and Blanche must've seemed like a real casting coup, but I'm thinking this film would've been better off with two younger, less charismatic stars—their characters are supposed to be slowly groping their way (in more ways than one) towards an adult identity, and these two seem like they're already fully formed. Still, their performances are the best thing about "Dare," which in spite of a promising storyline, still ends up feeling kind of unfocused and generic. The unstable triad of high-school player Johnny (ZG), ambitious art girl Alexa (ER) and "drama-club tech nerd" Ben (Ashley Springer) shakes out pretty much the way you think it will, though the ending's a nice surprise, and the most convincing scenes are the ones where the three leads interact with other characters, not with each other—Johnny goes off on a boorish classmate and on his therapist; Ben tries hard to keep his mother (also a therapist) from "analyzing"; prim Alexa talks smack with her dissipated BF (Rooney Mara). Excellent supporting cast—Cady Huffman turns up briefly as Alexa's pediatrician, Alan Cumming's a troublemaking HS alumnus and Johnny's therapist is Sandra Bernhard, no less; nice soundtrack and Philly Main Line locations (Johnny's absentee father has the perfect McMansion with lawyer foyer). "Dare"'s certainly not all that it might have been, but it's still quite watchable; turns up on cable a lot these days.
TxMike
I had moderately high hopes for this movie but I found it mostly dull and tedious. It is about a group of high school students in drama class, but with much more drama outside school hours.I was anxious to see Emmy Rossum who was so appropriate as Christine in "Phantom of the Opera". Here she is Alexa Walker, serious about her acting aspirations but doesn't much positive feedback.One of her friends is a guy, Ashley Springer as Ben Berger. Ben is a social outcast and is really confused. In one conversation he admits he is about to finish high school and has never kissed anyone. But that conversation was in the swimming pool with another guy, and they fill that void in Ben's life.That guy is Zach Gilford as loner Johnny Drake, who also becomes attracted to Alexa. He declares "I am not gay" but near the end he, Alexa, and Ben get passionate as a threesome. Everyone becomes confused by that situation. About the best I can say about this movie is that it is 'interesting' but I could not recommend it.
anoceanroars
This film was only good because the acting was solid throughout the whole film, although the character Ben played by Ashley Springer was a little possessive and creepy at times, he still seemed to be true. Zac Gilford shined as Johnny Drake a loner, showing he has range other than wholesome Matt from Friday Night Lights. And Emmy Rossum was excellent as Alexa, the sweet and pure Sandra Dee of the coming-of-age film. So why only a 3/10? The three was for the actors and the -7 was for the writer of this mess. The story did not blend well, it was too jumpy and incoherent. i am not a huge fan of voice-overs, but this needed it to fill all the gaps in the story. It seems that the writer had watched Dawson's Creek and Cruel Intentions and through in a little sexual confusion into the pot, stirred it and came up with this half told tale. The conclusion is there is no real conclusion, just more ambiguity to confuse the confused.
cjsole
This film was screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival, and had a pretty decent turnout from people of all ages and groups. It is a unique take on the High School trials and tribulations of three teenagers. The film is based on a short film that can be viewed online, and features Emmy Rossum, Sandra Berhard and Alan Cumming. Although the film will not be something many will relate to as their high school experience, it is still a funny, quirky piece with some great actors making appearances.Please check out the Q&A with some of the stars and writer and director of the film from the Hamptons Film Festival. There will be a review of the film posting soon so stay tuned for that as well.
AD
