Part comedy and part
social commentary, that’s the combination that writer/director Sloan Copeland’s
award-winning comedy, Wet Behind the Ears, has been
pleasing audiences with as it has racked up one festival win after another.
Word arrived this past
week from Cinema Libre that July 22 will be the domestic DVD release date. Take note, this is an indie film that should
be on everyone’s must-see list this summer … seriously!
The harsh reality of
getting a college education that brings with it a mountain of student loan debt
and a degree that has little or no value in the workplace (“I really don’t have
any room on my staff for a zero, real-world experience, entry-level position”)
is at the core of this comedy starring Margaret Keane Williams as Samantha, a recent
college graduate.
This is not only Williams
feature film debut (some TV and short film work), but she also crafted the
script with filmmaker Sloan Copeland and acted as the executive producer. We suspect that the backstory to this film —
which rings so very true — has much to do with Williams own experiences in the
workplace. If you can’t find the dream …
get out there and make your own dreams!
As for her character in
the film, after finding no offers — and out of money — the harsh reality of starting
a career without experience sets in and she is forced to move back in with her
parents. To make matters worse, to make
ends meet Samantha ends up taking a job at the local ice cream parlor.
Not exactly what she had
in mind for herself when she donned the cap and gown, walked across the stage
and received the hardy handshake and her college degree!
Samantha is not alone in her
post-college dose of cold-water-in-the-face reality as her friend Vicky
(Jessica Piervicenti) is also up against the “teaching experience” that a good
school and good grades don’t necessarily prepare one for anything more than a
bartending or food service job. Their
plans of rooming together quickly go up in smoke.
That’s the backbone of
the story arc here … college grad meets real world. Now Copeland and Williams could have told this
story as a straight up drama — a message film — but instead opted for humor,
which makes Wet Behind the Ears both enjoyable and approachable … and
ultimately a winner.
In a word, it’s
the “journey,” not the outcome (unexpected twists and turns) that becomes the
message here. You have to take control,
no one is going to do it for you.
And, if the truth
be-known, if this were a “resume” for actors Margaret Keane Williams and
Jessica Piervicenti, then you can expect to see both of them in bigger films in
the years ahead. Piervicenti is just
naturally funny and Williams is out-and-out smart.
With that July 22 street
date, Cinema Libre has time to get out there and work this one. Acting, directing and all tech elements are
all well beyond indie film expectations … no word just yet on any bonus
features included with the DVD release.
To download this week's
complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report: DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
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