or Ed Burns' Love Letter to Tribeca
Released: December 2011 VOD (Video on Demand)
Country: USA
Runtime: 1 hr 33 min
Country: USA
Runtime: 1 hr 33 min
Director: Edward Burns
Starring: Edward Burns, Max Baker, Kerry Bishe, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Marsha Dietlein
Writer: Edward Burns
Writer: Edward Burns
Outside Reviews:
critics: -
community: 100%
The Story
Newlyweds Buzzy and Katy think they have the secret to marriage success figured out. They've committed to avoid drama and keep out of each other's way. Kinda like college roommates with benefits. Life for the honeymooners is great until Buzzy's erratic (and sleazy) sister, Linda, imposes without warning and decides to move in. Can the new couple keep up their "sensible marriage" when drama forces it's way into their lives?
Newlyweds Buzzy and Katy think they have the secret to marriage success figured out. They've committed to avoid drama and keep out of each other's way. Kinda like college roommates with benefits. Life for the honeymooners is great until Buzzy's erratic (and sleazy) sister, Linda, imposes without warning and decides to move in. Can the new couple keep up their "sensible marriage" when drama forces it's way into their lives?
NDC Thoughts
Ed Burns shot Newlyweds in 12 days, on a budget of $9,000 (no, that's not a typo). It was filmed on Burns' personal Canon 5d. The actors wore clothes from their personal wardrobe.
That's all very interesting, but it doesn't mean much to an audience if the film is crap. And when a movie is on such a tight budget, and filmed in less than two weeks, there's a good chance the film will suck.
I'm happy to report, Newlyweds does not suck. In fact, it's quite beautiful. And real. It's about what happens after "happily ever after". It brings up questions real married people ponder. It dismisses the myth of the perfect marriage. The film is about the inevitable conflict and drama that is a part of any real relationship. It teaches us that if we constantly work to avoid drama, we also give up honesty. And without honesty, we miss out on true intimacy.
Newlyweds not only provides great insight into the effort required for relationships to succeed, it also boasts terrific acting. The actors all look very comfortable around each other, and have great chemistry.
My sole complaint with Newlyweds is the inconsistency of the filming style. There's intermittent interviews with the characters (like in The Office), which leads the audience to believe it's a mockumentary. But in the most dramatic and intimate parts of the film, the characters never ask the cameraman to leave.
From it's unconventional production to it's refreshingly honest portrayal of marriage, Newlyweds is a unique piece of indie entertainment that shouldn't be missed. Check it out VOD, December 26, 2011.
I wasn't able to make it to the Tribeca Film Festival this year, but thanks to Sherry over at SAP, I was able to catch a private screening of Newlyweds (the closing film at the festival) before it's VOD release. Sherry, feel free to burden me with more screenings anytime!
Ed Burns shot Newlyweds in 12 days, on a budget of $9,000 (no, that's not a typo). It was filmed on Burns' personal Canon 5d. The actors wore clothes from their personal wardrobe.
That's all very interesting, but it doesn't mean much to an audience if the film is crap. And when a movie is on such a tight budget, and filmed in less than two weeks, there's a good chance the film will suck.
I'm happy to report, Newlyweds does not suck. In fact, it's quite beautiful. And real. It's about what happens after "happily ever after". It brings up questions real married people ponder. It dismisses the myth of the perfect marriage. The film is about the inevitable conflict and drama that is a part of any real relationship. It teaches us that if we constantly work to avoid drama, we also give up honesty. And without honesty, we miss out on true intimacy.
Newlyweds not only provides great insight into the effort required for relationships to succeed, it also boasts terrific acting. The actors all look very comfortable around each other, and have great chemistry.
My sole complaint with Newlyweds is the inconsistency of the filming style. There's intermittent interviews with the characters (like in The Office), which leads the audience to believe it's a mockumentary. But in the most dramatic and intimate parts of the film, the characters never ask the cameraman to leave.
From it's unconventional production to it's refreshingly honest portrayal of marriage, Newlyweds is a unique piece of indie entertainment that shouldn't be missed. Check it out VOD, December 26, 2011.
I wasn't able to make it to the Tribeca Film Festival this year, but thanks to Sherry over at SAP, I was able to catch a private screening of Newlyweds (the closing film at the festival) before it's VOD release. Sherry, feel free to burden me with more screenings anytime!
I want to see this one! thanx for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have to catch this now. This is a movie I need right now. I'm even more interested to see how they pulled this off on 9k.
ReplyDelete@Casey RayI know. I was shocked with the budget!
ReplyDelete@Jessie_T
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Color me ignorant, but what does VOD mean? Where can I see this movie?
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see this! I don't know how they could have done this with just $9,000. Nice to know that for less than my car someone could produce such a seductive piece of art. I probably never would have heard about this, so thanks for expanding my horizons.
ReplyDeleteI heard this was amazing! But slow. Which is awfully impressive. awesome review!
ReplyDelete@Todd Video on Demand. Sorry, I hate it when people use acronyms and assume everyone to knows them. I actually fixed it on my post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of this one, but sounds intriguing. I guess I'm not familiar w/ Burns' work but $9,000? Wow, that's cool that he's able to make a compelling film within such a low budget.
ReplyDeletehmm. Sounds interesting. Thanks for the recommend. I shall check it out when it comes to Portland.
ReplyDelete@Anee Dupaix I think you'd really like it. Not sure if it's exciting enough for Zach, though.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even heard of this film. It is refreshing to hear of a good film that doesn't cost millions to make. Thanks for bringing it to my attention NDC. I'll definitely be checking it out.
ReplyDelete9,000 bucks, eh? I have to see what you can do with that. Thanks for the tip - these kinds of films fly under the radar of common folk like me...
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, sounds like this is the kind of project Ed Burns would excel at. That's cool that he could make something this compelling on a shoestring budget.
ReplyDelete