Admissions

This is a charming, interesting and entertaining independent film. The story follows a high school student as she balances applying for colleges (visiting them alone, even across the country) and caring for her mentally retarded older sister. As she dotes on her sister and teaches her poems, their mother mistakenly believes that the mentally retarded sister may have authored the poems making her a savant and throwing the mother into a hopeful frenzy over the newly discovered talent. Spoiler: Just feel I should note the movie contains themes and images of mental illness and divorce.I loved that the "boy next door" was like the moral compass, sincere, sensitive and his relationship with the main character seemed genuine.This movie isn't flawless but it's pleasant and different and all the performances are noteworthy (could've been better if the script was elevated in some spots such as Christopher Lloyd's part) and the whole movie had just been tightened up a bit but overall it was something fresh and sincere and that's what matters to me most. I really enjoyed it and have seen it several times.

"Admissions" was a bit of a stretch. Although the performances were top notch the basic credibility was difficult to believe. The would-be boyfriend instantly saw through the main ruse, why wouldn't everyone else? But then he was the one chasing after her when "damaged goods" to describe her would be too generous. Why in the world would he want to subject himself to a person as obviously unbalanced as she was? There were too many things like those in logic, and in characters for me - I don't want to have to keep giving the benefit of the doubt to a movie. Move me. Take me on a journey. Admissions didn't do that.

"Admissions" is a complex story of a mother and 2 daughters, where the poem of a caged bird is a central theme, and applies to all 3, in different ways. The mother, Martha, is brilliantly played by Amy Madigan, a woman whose life has been damaged by the guilt of seeing her daughter Emily fall, causing brain damage. Emily, who is 20, is known as a savant; she can recite anything that is read to her, but cannot do anything to care for herself. Her younger sister Evie writes poetry, and allows everyone to think that Emily is the author. This deception brings about an emotionally catastrophic event, but in the close relationship between the 2 sisters, there is hope for healing.The important message of this film is that though Emily may be mentally impaired, she is a receptacle for love, and a reflection of it; and in giving that love, Evie gains a depth and character she would perhaps not have had without her sister. Lauren Ambrose as Evie, and Taylor Roberts as Emily are both excellent. The 3 other main characters in the film are: James (Fran Kranz), who has known Evie since childhood, Harry, the mysterious father in the basement, played by John Savage with the right amount of quirkiness, and Christopher Lloyd as Mr. Worthy.The script for "Admissions" is by Dawn O'Leary, based on her play, and is unpredictable, as well as interesting. Perhaps the biggest flaw in this film is the sound, which is terrible, and some of the dialogue is not as clear as it should be. Directed by Melissa Painter, this is a very low budget film that is deserving of an audience, especially for those interested in the plight of not only those who need help in society, but of those who give the care, and the love. Total running time is 84 minutes.

Maybe the most perplexing thing in the world to me is how people are writing positive reviews of this film. The story line is horrendous and the acting is worse.What was Christopher Lloyd thinking signing up to play along side these terrible actors. I mean the girl who plays the idiot savant may not even know what that is - they just picked the first actress who wanted the job and said "repeat what Lauren Ambrose says and try and act dim witted....and....ACTION" - she is really that bad.Did the actors improvise this movie? I had to turn it off about halfway through the DVD and the only reason I made it that far was because I truly could not believe that it wasnt getting any better.Think after school special but with no budget.From top to bottom there isnt a single interesting thing about this movie...why does the dad spend 100% of his time in the basement working on trains? Man those scenes were tough to make it through.I dont even write reviews of movies or products but this movie is such a special kind of bad that I felt compelled to get online and register for some movie reviews sites just to warn people.Tomorrow morning I plan on getting up early - heck, I might even just head out now at 11pm and start rousing my neighbors out of bed and having them sign an agreement that they would never rent this "film".The other day I was walking to the drugstore to get some cold medicine (feeling so sick I could barely leave the house) and on the way there I was jumped by three guys and beat to a bloody pulp and spent 2 weeks in the hospital on life support. That day now seems enjoyable compared to what I just went through watching half of this movie.Please please please do not buy or see this movie.I dont even think I can return this to Blockbuster for fear a friend or co-worker might see me do it...and what if when I return it someone else rents? I would keep the thing if it didnt mean that I would have to pay for it and that would mean buying it which would really put me over the edge.If you watched every single episode of Small Wonder (the 80's sitcom with the robot girl Vicky) in reverse back-to-back with no commercials slowed down to 1/3 the normal speed it would be more enjoyable that this film.Right now, as you read this, punch yourself in the face as hard as you can just for having searched for this movie and found this review. Now do it again.How did you even make it to this page? You are not human.Please go take a warm bath and scrub down and think about nothing for 4 hours.If you own this DVD already, please go out and buy the most expensive shredder available - the ones that can cross shred a DVD - and shred this DVD before you take that bath.I cant believe Amazon is making me give this movie 1 star.If you have made the mistake of seeing this movie already please email me for support. I will drop everything I am doing and fly to your town to aid you in your recovery.Thanks - keep the faith