A FAMILY AFFAIR A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2
Helen Lesnick's A FAMILY AFFAIR is a breezy comedy about love, commitment and marriage. Rachel Rosen (Lesnick), who has unsuccessfully broken up four times with her lesbian partner, Reggie Abravanel (Michele Greene), has decided to cut the knot by moving 3,000 miles across the country so that she will never be tempted to go back to her again. This turns out to be very hard for Rachel since she is a New York Jewish woman through and through. West Coast people drive her crazy. "Don't they revoke your California license if you're too punctual?" she asks her unlikely blind date, Christine Peterson (Erica Shaffer), a woman -- egads! -- chosen by her overbearing mother, Leah Rosen (Arlene Golonka).
Although Rachel isn't particularly militant, her mother is. President of PFLAG (Parents and Families of Lesbians And Gays), her mother marches and protests with a vengeance. Her basically mute father (Michael Moerman) only smiles and nods his head. Leah does the talking for the both of them.
With plenty of nice laughs, there's a lot to admire in A FAMILY AFFAIR, but it does have its problems, starting with the chemistry between Rachel and Christine, which is never quite convincing. Rachel is a hard-edged brunette who looks over a decade older than Christine, a fresh-face blonde. It is hard to understand what each sees in the other since their demeanors are so different. Lesnick, who over exaggerates her every facial gesture like a stand-up comic, would have benefited from having a director other than herself. In fact, as the film's writer, director and star, she is most impressive as its writer.
The film's bright cinematography by Jim Orr is one of its delights. But the make-up person kept overachieving. A bubble bath with heavy lipstick intact? I don't think so. A FAMILY AFFAIR showcases an emerging talent. I'll look forward to Helen Lesnick's next film.
A FAMILY AFFAIR runs 1:48. It is not rated but might be PG-13 for sexuality and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film is being shown now as part of San Jose's Cinequest film festival (www.Cinequest.org).
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