The Lather Effect (2006)

Really Surprised!

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Found myself watching this a month ago on cable, saw maybe 80 percent of it. Saw the entire film on a second viewing and found myself really liking it. Like one user said, it is sorta the Big Chill film for my age group. With all the crap out in the theaters now, It was nice to see a film with some good music and a bunch of people my age remembering the old times. All the songs brought back good memories for myself and I almost felt like i should be crashing there little reunion type get together. Kinda wish they had a prequel to this with the actual party the night before. I'm sure that would be a interesting thing to view. Curious why this wasn't released to the mainstream. I see it was shown at some Film festivals. Makes you wonder if the Big Chill was released today would they do the same thing. I guess its the times we live in.

Despite a rebellious beginning, the movie offered nothing original in film-making. An 80's version of "The Big Chill", but going back to a vapid teen nostalgia? Not worth telling. Even having an off-screen character named Lex was a more rip-off than nod. It didn't help that the soundtrack overlapped in several places with "Gross Pointe Blank", a far superior 80's nostalgia film.Unconvincingly conceived and unconvincingly portrayed (least hung-over looking group of 30-somethings ever). The characters' biggest regrets were ending up in the wrong fantastic relationship? Too pat, too clean, no point.

I saw this movie at the KIFF film festival in Kansas City and it was one of my favorites.I thought this was just going to be a film about wishing to be young, but was pleasantly surprised. I found myself relating to just about every character in the film and I'm only in my 20's. There are many surprises about the characters as well. The lifeguard was especially interesting. It turned out to be a great exploration of the question "what if?" many of us have asked ourselves. It also questions whether we should worry about what could have been and move forward from where we are now.Many great laughs sprinkled throughout too!

I saw this on the last night of the LA Film Festival, and it was a treat.The plot, such as it is, is about a group of friends getting together for 'one last party' at a house about to be sold, an '80's Rage', where they dress up like their favorite 80's icons, Madonna, Tom Cruise, etc. There's even a funny reference to 'that Gorbachov dude'.But it's really about a lost past, missed opportunities, and cleaning out the cobwebs of old relationships. Sounds kind of heavy, but it's really really funny.The cast is great, from the radiant Ione Skye (Say Anything) to straight laced Tate Donovan (The O.C.) to David Herman as the 'former child star', who just about steals every scene that he's in. But the 'jubilant engine' that kicks it into high gear is Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction), who I didn't' know even did comedy. He's hysterical, and every time he's on screen the film goes to a different, wackier place.It has one of those soundtracks that make you want to go out and buy it. Which I tried to do at the Virgin Records outside the theater, but they didn't' have it yet. Every 80's hit song you can remember is somehow in this film, it's a little like BEING at the actual party!In fact, the whole film is like being at a party. A lot of fun.