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Released by: Breaking Glass Pictures
Released on: August 6, 2013.
Director: Martin Yernzanian
Cast: Electra Avellan, Ashley Parker-Angel, Danny Trejo, Jennifer Tilly, Margaret Cho
Year: 2012
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The Movie:
It's Amelia's 25th birthday. May not seem old to you but to a struggling actress who can't get work it can feel like being Wilford Brimley in COCOON.
The action in the film takes place over the course of one single day. Amelia (Electra Avellan) is having a very bad birthday. She's dealing with sleazy producer Don Javier (a hilariously intense Danny Trejo) who is going through a nasty divorce with his psycho wife. Amelia also has a loser boyfriend named Aaron (Nicholes Coke) who is almost certainly cheating on her. To top it all off she's also dealing with her conflicted feelings relating to her absentee rich and powerful dad who is a movie producer (film director Robert Rodriguez in an acting gig). Should she use his connections to get work? How about the check he gave her to cover the tardy rent?
A day in the life film filled with interesting cameos by the likes of Jennifer Tilly as a weird psychic, AMELIA'S 25TH is uneven but engaging enough. Electra has a sweetly sexy quality that makes you like her instantly. She's funny and self-aware without being one of those currently in vogue "manic pixie dream girls". The movie really relies on her and she is able to carry it. As amusing as some of the supporting characters are ( a special shout out for the transsexual neighbor) this movie wouldn't work without Avellan's anchor.
While there is a message buried in here it doesn't get crammed down the viewer's throat or get larded off in a cringe worthy load of cheap sentimentalism. There are also some great laugh out loud bits like Amelia's two auditions. It all builds to a big party at the end where destiny awaits.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Breaking Glass's 1.78:1 SD anamorphic transfer looks about like what you'd expect from a recent film. Colors are strong, detail is excellent (for standard definition anyway) and the image is free of any noticeable defects. Subtitles in English are also included.
The English Dolby Digital 5.1 (a vastly inferior 2.0 track is also included - but only accessible through your player's audio selection button - it's not on the menu) track is top notch. Nice ambient effects that never trample the dialog are it's most striking feature.
The extras are three minutes of deleted scenes - one of which includes Michael Biehn of ALIEN/TOMBSTONE fame.
The Final Word:
Cute, fun and recommended. Avellan is an engaging screen presence and the cameos and smaller roles like Trejo's are a hoot. There are a lot worse ways to spend your time than watching this one.
