Film is more about personal discovery than a love story, Lianna at first seems frivolous almost selfish but as the film progresses she becomes stronger and gains a peronality. A realistic story of self discovery. The reactions of those around her makes for further depth. Although rather dated I would recommend as the quality makes it fairly timeless
Troubled people, love in many forms and a fine story
This little-known 1983 film must have been shocking in its time. It's about a young mother in an unhappy marriage to a college professor. She begins an affair but the twist of this story is that the affair is with a female teacher. She then has to cope with a broken marriage, the angst of her two children, and a whole new world of the lesbian subculture. Add to this the fact that the older woman is not as anxious to commit to the relationship. She doesn't want to be exposed as it would hurt her career and she also has a long-standing relationship with a woman in another state. The young woman now finds that life is just as difficult for her as it was when she was married to her uncaring spouse. There's high drama here, but it never turns maudlin.
Linda Griffiths is the young woman and she's great in the role of a woman who is suddenly cast into a lifestyle that is totally new to her. Jane Hallaren is the older teacher in an excellent performance. She, too, comes across as a troubled human being. There are some very tender scenes between the two of them and they are touching and authentic. I was moved by their dilemma and by their performances.
My highest accolades, however, go to John Sayles who wrote and directed it. He even cast himself in a small role. There's an extra feature on the DVD which features him discussing this film which is a perfect complement to the film itself. Through the years, he has proven his talent for bringing out the many complex layers in seemingly simple situations. He certainly did a great job with Lianna. It's a really fine film. Highly recommended.
Pulls no punches
A terrific movie and one that any person concerned about relationships would enjoy and appreciate. I'd say that this and Desert Hearts are my two favorite lesbian movies.
Ironically, Watching You is the least watchable of these films, but the others are definitely worth viewing. They are witty, sexy, funny and at times downright hilarious. This is one of the few lesbian-themed DVDs that was worth my time and money. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Cassandra Nicolaou DVD Release Date: Released the 24 June 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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When college professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) arrives in Reno in 1959 to get a quickie divorce, the last thing on her mind is romance. A prim intellectual, crippled by a sterile marriage ("We're a professional couple") and hiding behind her education, she moves into a ranch belonging to Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) and tries to keep to herself. But Parker's beautiful, sassy tomboy of a stepdaughter proves to be quite a distraction, and a love affair slowly blossoms. Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) refuses to be bound by convention or by expectations of how a nice girl should behave, and her devil-may-care attitude both attracts and terrifies the nervous professor.
Shaver is terrific as Vivian, and the slow thawing of her character is beautifully paced--you can feel the tension... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Helen Shaver - Patricia Charbonneau Director(s): Donna Deitch DVD Release Date: Released the 23 January 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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"It's Pride and Prejudice with dirty bits." That's how screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones' Diary), in an interview contained on this disc, describes his adaptation of Sarah Waters's acclaimed novel of lesbian love, betrayal, and redemption in Victorian England. This three-part BBC production chronicles with relish the story of Nan Astley (Rachael Stirling, the ravishing image of her mother, Diana Rigg), barely 18, and certain that life holds more for her than her oyster girl's existence. "You'll meet someone who'll have your head spinning and your legs turning to jelly," her sister promises. That someone surprisingly turns out to be "gay and bold" Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes), a music-hall entertainer, with whom Nan falls instantly, and swooningly, in love. Nan... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Geoffrey Sax DVD Release Date: Released the 27 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I am a little disappointed with the negative reviews that people have given for this movie, not b/c I thought it was great, but b/c of the remarks made. "The actors weren't hot, there were not enough sex scenes, they talked to the camera the whole time..." Well, these chicks are real and this is their story, I'm personally glad there weren't many sex scenes (watching lesbian sex on TV just irritates me b/c they always look phony--although these are real lesbians, so who knows), and it IS a play! Yes, I was pretty unprepared for the staight on monologing but I got interested in how their story was going to play out and the ending--the fact that these two girls are telling their own story--was worth it. I'm not saying to buy it, but rent it! If you like it then throw the girls a bone... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Lee Friedlander DVD Release Date: Released the 16 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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