vincentlynch-moonoi This is one of those films that is so good because it is so different. I can't really think of another film that one could confuse with this one. It's unique! Let's see -- a young undertaker apprentice (so to speak), whose father is not well enough to carry on the family business, gets ready to embalm a beauty queen contestant who had a fatal heart attack...kisses her (shades of necrophilia), and she turns out not to be dead after all. They fall in love...bumpy in places...until she remembers the necrophiliac kiss...but ultimately get back together after he is disgraced in the press.The one special ingredient here is young Max Minghella, an actor who is about as charismatic as you can get! Some compare him to a young Johnny Depp, but that is more based on looks...Minghella is far more talented (whether he will become as successful as Depp is another question).Blake Lively is very good in her role, though she doesn't seem quite beautiful enough to be in a beauty contest...although the film takes place in Texas, so who knows, maybe that's as pretty as they get in Texas. Joe Mantegna is just charming in his role as Minghella's deformed father...one of his most endearing roles. Mary Steenburgen does well as the doting mother of the beauty contestant...but is just obnoxious enough that you won't like her character. Keith Carradine does well as the creepy stepfather...although it's unclear if there is something there that is almost incestuous, though it's certainly implied.The movie is quirky, but I mean that in a good way! I couldn't take my eyes of the screen. Highly recommended, though I doubt you'll want it on your DVD shelf.

phd_travel This movie should have had a wider release and more publicity. It's really enjoyable. It's got the story of a good indie movie like "Sideways" or "Little Miss Sunshine" - it's funny, touching, original and actually quite romantic. It's part dark comedy, part quirky romance. The situations are not unpleasant and the dialog is well written. The actors are good. Blake Lively is a lovely beauty pageant contestant Anabelle and acts very well - probably one of the best acting jobs she has done out of Gossip Girl. She is a perfect fit for the role. Max Minghella as the embalmer Elvis while not a heartthrob is quite suited to this offbeat hero. They have chemistry a bit like Penn Badgley & Blake do in Gossip Girl. Mary Steenburgen is just right as the anxious pageant mom. Keith Carradine is good as the stepfather. Joe Mantegna is quite moving as Elvis's father. Very highly recommended. Worth watching.

Juliana Figueira It isn't perfect but it's beautiful! It's how they say in the trailer, the two are complete opposites but miracles brought them together and we learn it's because they really must be together... It has the father and son relation too and it's so beautiful... Elvis is the kind of really good guy that doesn't believe anything good may happen to him, until he feels the pain of be free of all his duties and is compelled to fight back. While Anabelle really wishes something good might happen to her, and even if she doesn't feel like she can fight it all, she starts to run for it when she wakes up... It's a really pretty modern "what might have happened after Sleeping Beauty wakened up" story if you pay attention in the feelings that they tried to show... And the soundtrack matches it too! ;-) [ I wanted to cry several times while watching this film. ]

poohluvsmovies What a surprising gem, I can't believe I never heard of this film. It's beautifully crafted and sensitive, including the photography and the inventive soundtrack. This was a beautiful blend of excellent craftsmanship and quiet intensity in acting, storyline and composition, particularly since the film contains so many quieter and lesser known, but thoroughly talented character actors. Even the subplots are strong. And Joe Montegna's work was a TOTAL surprise. It takes true skill to move a story between the different levels of feeling that this one achieves, and it never once resorts to clichés, nor does it ever insult the audience's intelligence. Please do more of this quality, America's film industry is desperate for quality of this level. Bravo.