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Just Looking
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
We know that Jerry Seinfeld has gone on to parenthood ("what's the deal with having kids?"), Michael Richards went on to having a weak self-titled sitcom that was cancelled, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss' show is currently in development, but whatever happened to George? Jason Alexander has still been doing work, including "Just Looking", a small film that travelled around to various festivals and got great reviews, but really never went anywhere in an extremely limited theatrical release.
"Just Looking" stars Ryan Merriman as Lenny, a 14 year old kid in the Bronx who is more than curious about sex. When this curiosity gets him in trouble, his mother and stepfather send him to Queens to live with his aunt and uncle. Here, he meets an older woman named Hedy(Gretchen Mol, trying to re-start things after several weak films sidetracked a mildly promising career that started with "Rounders"), who is a nurse that turns out to be a former bra model. The local boys and girls even have a club where they discuss the topic. It's good natured, and keeps from changing into just a 50's version of "American Pie".
Although I wasn't terribly interested in the characters or story at all times, I was often amazed by the 3 million dollar film's sense of period, which is nothing short of terrific. Cars, storefronts, items, everything - down to the smallest detail, I believed that this was taking place during that time. And, as director Jason Alexander points out in the commentary, if the camera had shifted a few inches to the left or right, we'd be instantly brought back to modern day.
I can begin to understand why the film didn't do particularly well in theaters; it's story and manner seems more suited to the small screen, and the R rating restricted the audience. Alexander seems to have understood this, as although it's a small story, there's some very nice camera movement to keep things visually interesting. The acting is not particularly remarkable, but the young actors, who are mainly newcomers, do fine. The entire film is fine - I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. It arrives in that "middle ground" that may make it a passable rental.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Just Looking" is given a fairly good 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer from Columbia/Tristar, although it lands more in the "average" catagory for the studio rather than among the studio's best efforts. The film has a rather "soft" look that is due to the intentional "period" feel. This never becomes distracting, though, and the picture remains well-defined, if rather "flat".
There were a few minor blips that took away from the image - a couple of traces of pixelation, a slight scratch & mark or two, but certainly nothing that I would call serious. Colors are natural and warm, again sort of attempting a "period" look. Although not among the studio's best recent work, this is a satisfying transfer. A full-screen edition is on the flip side.
SOUND: "Just Looking" is presented in Dolby 2.0, which furthers its small-screen feel. The film is completely dialogue-driven, with occasional touches of music. Sound quality is pleasing, although there's really nothing in the way of activity.
MENUS:: Basic, non-animated menus with film images as backgrounds for sub-menus & the cover for the main menu.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Jason Alexander as well as the film's editor and producer. It's sort of like watching the film with Alexander's George character from "Seinfeld". He makes some funny jokes about the obstacles that had to be overcome with the film's low budget, and some of the things that he would have done differently had he had the chance to do it over again. There's quite a bit of production information, as well, as the editor and producer also contribute their thoughts on the film and talk about subjects such as how the low-budget film was able to re-create the period well. A recommended listen.
Deleted Scenes: There are 5 deleted scenes included - a couple of which are basically interesting, but were rightly taken out as they go over territory already gone over or slow the pace. Optional commentary from Alexander is included.
Also: Trailers for "Deep End Of The Ocean", "13th Floor" and "Just Looking". Talent files are also included.
Final Thoughts: "Just Looking" is a good, small feature that has fine performances and a strong sense of period. It's nothing groundbreaking though, and many will probably be satisfied with renting it. Tristar did put together a fine special edition of the film, though, with deleted scenes and a good commentary.
We know that Jerry Seinfeld has gone on to parenthood ("what's the deal with having kids?"), Michael Richards went on to having a weak self-titled sitcom that was cancelled, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss' show is currently in development, but whatever happened to George? Jason Alexander has still been doing work, including "Just Looking", a small film that travelled around to various festivals and got great reviews, but really never went anywhere in an extremely limited theatrical release.
"Just Looking" stars Ryan Merriman as Lenny, a 14 year old kid in the Bronx who is more than curious about sex. When this curiosity gets him in trouble, his mother and stepfather send him to Queens to live with his aunt and uncle. Here, he meets an older woman named Hedy(Gretchen Mol, trying to re-start things after several weak films sidetracked a mildly promising career that started with "Rounders"), who is a nurse that turns out to be a former bra model. The local boys and girls even have a club where they discuss the topic. It's good natured, and keeps from changing into just a 50's version of "American Pie".
Although I wasn't terribly interested in the characters or story at all times, I was often amazed by the 3 million dollar film's sense of period, which is nothing short of terrific. Cars, storefronts, items, everything - down to the smallest detail, I believed that this was taking place during that time. And, as director Jason Alexander points out in the commentary, if the camera had shifted a few inches to the left or right, we'd be instantly brought back to modern day.
I can begin to understand why the film didn't do particularly well in theaters; it's story and manner seems more suited to the small screen, and the R rating restricted the audience. Alexander seems to have understood this, as although it's a small story, there's some very nice camera movement to keep things visually interesting. The acting is not particularly remarkable, but the young actors, who are mainly newcomers, do fine. The entire film is fine - I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it, either. It arrives in that "middle ground" that may make it a passable rental.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Just Looking" is given a fairly good 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer from Columbia/Tristar, although it lands more in the "average" catagory for the studio rather than among the studio's best efforts. The film has a rather "soft" look that is due to the intentional "period" feel. This never becomes distracting, though, and the picture remains well-defined, if rather "flat".
There were a few minor blips that took away from the image - a couple of traces of pixelation, a slight scratch & mark or two, but certainly nothing that I would call serious. Colors are natural and warm, again sort of attempting a "period" look. Although not among the studio's best recent work, this is a satisfying transfer. A full-screen edition is on the flip side.
SOUND: "Just Looking" is presented in Dolby 2.0, which furthers its small-screen feel. The film is completely dialogue-driven, with occasional touches of music. Sound quality is pleasing, although there's really nothing in the way of activity.
MENUS:: Basic, non-animated menus with film images as backgrounds for sub-menus & the cover for the main menu.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a commentary from director Jason Alexander as well as the film's editor and producer. It's sort of like watching the film with Alexander's George character from "Seinfeld". He makes some funny jokes about the obstacles that had to be overcome with the film's low budget, and some of the things that he would have done differently had he had the chance to do it over again. There's quite a bit of production information, as well, as the editor and producer also contribute their thoughts on the film and talk about subjects such as how the low-budget film was able to re-create the period well. A recommended listen.
Deleted Scenes: There are 5 deleted scenes included - a couple of which are basically interesting, but were rightly taken out as they go over territory already gone over or slow the pace. Optional commentary from Alexander is included.
Also: Trailers for "Deep End Of The Ocean", "13th Floor" and "Just Looking". Talent files are also included.
Final Thoughts: "Just Looking" is a good, small feature that has fine performances and a strong sense of period. It's nothing groundbreaking though, and many will probably be satisfied with renting it. Tristar did put together a fine special edition of the film, though, with deleted scenes and a good commentary.
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