Isn't It Delicious (2013)

I loved the film for many reasons. I felt it told a realistic story about a family dealing with death and not in the way we would expect. The stellar cast, which includes Kathleen Chalfant, Keir Dullea, Alice Ripley, Malachy McCourt, Mia Dillon, Nick Stevenson, just to name a few, deliver performances that left me thinking about living large in the face of death. The movie was made on a very low budget, and while some may bemoan the lack of polish in some scenes, I wasn't taken out of the story at all. In fact, it made it that much more real for me.While some may think this is just another film about dysfunction and dealing with death– it isn't. Dark humor was used in a very artful way. The director, Michael Kelly, takes a non-sentimental approach to the material, and as a result, we are allowed to experience the humor and sadness without a filter. The film is raw and real. Moreover, Isn't It Delicious addresses a very taboo subject in our society: death. Unlike some of the films that whitewash death, with soaring music and fairy-tale endings, this film takes a heads-on approach and leaves us uplifted. I can say with certainty I hope I go out blazing like Joan Weldon.

"Isn't It Delicious?" The answer is yes! The cast is led by the luminous Kathleen Chalfont who manages to create a character cantankerous and irritating and endearing at the same time. The film is not always easy to watch, as it should be when dealing with death and dying, but as also it sparkles also with humor, well, you laugh, you cry. Particularly amusing was the comic use of the theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey", presumably a tribute to the handsome and engaging Keir Dullea who plays Ms. Chalfont's long suffering husband. Kudos to director, Michael Patrick Kelly for his light touch and for what I understand is a husband and wife producing team of Mr. Kelly and Suzanne Hayes, who also has a delightful cameo as the fun and frothy lesbian side-kick to Ms. Chalfont's character's lesbian daughter. Here's to indie films!

Isn't it a shame that a film like "Isn't It Delicious" hasn't mainstreamed yet? This movie has it all - a great story, an unsympathetic heroine who ultimately turns us into loving believers, a great supporting cast, a pretty universal situation where life confronts death straight on and catches us having to deal with all our own emotions around family and dying. And yet there is nothing sad about this movie. Kathleen Chalfant is so worth watching, as is this film. I really am baffled as to why the people who need to see this film may not have the opportunity to do so. Death and dying are not subjects that make a big splash as a "date" movie but there are many people over the age of 60 who could so easily relate to this film. I hope they have the chance.

I loved this movie! I was laughing & crying all the way through. The story itself was so original and refreshingly honest. Very different. I was blown away by the acting. The cinematography was just gorgeous. Kathleen Chalfant is not only one of the most physically beautiful woman to ever walk the face of the earth, but also one of the most mesmerizing, transcendent actors I have ever seen. I have always enjoyed watching her on stage, so to get to see her on film was such a treat. That said, the whole ensemble was crazy good! Even the smaller roles were stacked deep. For instance, Suzanne Hayes was hysterically funny, & totally right on the money, so authentic. The authenticity in this film was poignant. Wonderful wonderful movie! Director Michael Patrick Kelly is one of the best. What a masterpiece he created with his producer wife, Suzanne Hayes. I've seen some of their documentary work, which is also incredible and makes them the cream of the crop. It is inspiring to see a husband/wife (Suzanne Hayes produced) team collaborate all through both of their lives & continue to take risks and raise the bar for this art form!