LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Inadvands Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

Claire Dunne One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

secondtake Hello Lonesome (2010)An appropriate title--three couples independently form out of mutual loneliness. Unlike some movies with parallel plots (like "Crash") this one doesn't make the three separate worlds meet. What unifies them is their similar striving for companionship.And what makes them different is partly what makes the movie terrific. For one older guy with money and a fun if whacky sense of playfulness in his life, all he can manage is a superficial evening of partying with a girl he had met almost a year earlier. For a young guy with an obsession with sports betting the growing tragic needs of his girlfriend adds a needed human dimension to his thin life. The third man is a bit of an effete introvert and he finds comfort visiting the older widow next door, with uncertain sexual intentions.This is the bare bones, and there are turns and surprises that have to remain surprises so I say no more. Except that the movie makes each situation real and emotionally ripe without sentimentalism (which took some serious restraint in at least one of the three stories, as you'll see). Director, writer, and producer Adam Reid deftly takes a formulaic structure and makes a vivid, living, rather touching movie. The three stories on their own are probably not as complex or original as you might hope, but as a trio they form something much larger than the parts. And Reid gets the actors to completely inhabit their characters. Necessarily, no one gets a majority role here--at most they have a portion of a third of the screen time--but each of the pairs works superbly. (One of the "couples" is mostly about the man, so there are in essence five main actors.) You can't quite call it ensemble acting since the five never meet all together (this gives nothing away--you don't expect or need this), but in each smaller aspect of the film the acting is tight and sensitive and genuine. See this. I remember being a little bored at first, getting to know the group, and this might be because there are so many and it takes longer than usual to fall in with them individually. So give it time to start to gel and take a couple of life turns. It's a lovely independent movie.

zif ofoz cannot push myself to give this 10 stars because one of the three stories was so predictable it almost ruined that slice of the movie. BUT the good news is the other two stories are completely unpredictable and will keep you watching just to see what will happen.these three stories never cross paths but the pacing and editing make this element practically unnoticeable. it was the elderly lady (eleanor) that had me guessing as to what she was up to - did she have a plan? maybe yes, maybe no. and the young man (gordon) never did what i expected! then the recluse (bill) avoiding the world holding up in his well appointed house making everything come to him - "hello lonesome"this is a beautifully made movie with actors that are as relaxed and real as if it's all true. this is a sure entertainment and gratifying film for people seeking 'story' and 'feeling'. please watch it - it's grand!

stevenfett A Really wonderful movie. I've never written a review before and decided that this would be my first. I suppose the movie inspired it, so that's saying something. Three separate story lines are featured, each offering a very human perspective on life, love, and loneliness. All six central characters deliver strong performances, each one so different from the next. There is a story for everybody to identify with,and all three stories are great. Harry Chase was totally compelling. You root for his character, but he also shows you a darker side, which,it seems he is trying and struggling to overcome while he still can. Sabrina Lloyd was so good. From her opening scene where she subtly reveals her character's vulnerability and hopefulness in the start of a new relationship, to the two A.M. couch discussion where she expresses her need for added sensitivity from her boyfriend (Nate Smith) That scene and it's resolution could probably summarize the majority of successful relationships. Really good stuff. Thank you Adam Reid for your contribution. It made my day.

Jim Chevallier I'm thinking of writing a book called "Everything You Really Need to Know is in Some Beatles Song". In this case, the song would be "Eleanor Rigby", though here all the lonely people - whose portrayal seems to be the main point of this film - find at least some company. But the portrayal of loneliness is also a popular indie film theme and here it is very much given the indie film treatment: self-conscious quirkiness, studious poignancy, at least one out of the ordinary pairing. And largely aimless development, alas. Aimless, yet predictable in its aimlessness. As so often in first films (and this done on a very small budget), there is a lot to like here, notably the acting, which is alive and natural throughout. And there may come a time when this is mainly remembered as this promising director's early effort. What is more, the success this film has had award-wise show that indie juries at least still like the essentially formulaic approach of this sort of film. Me, I was watching four indie films in a row and hoping for that one you usually get that awakes and surprises you and goes beyond anything you expected. This wasn't it.