April's Shower (2003)

This movie was a lot of things, funny was not one of them. It seems like the writer took all possible stereotypes, wrote individual story lines, and then shuffled them together not paying attention to what would actually work. This movie actually would have worked better as a drama. No part of it was even remotely funny, let ALONE hilarious (as one reviewer suggested). I would never categorize this movie as a comedy. The "jokes" (I didn't even notice any?) should have been deleted and they should have just done it as a heartfelt love story (which would have worked). Some stories took forever to get going and then played out in 2 seconds. Others were just incredibly unbelievable. I frequently found myself doing a face palm at how embarrassed I was for the people involved. I can't even say this was a good effort. It felt like no one actually read the script or watched it after editing to see how it all came together. I hope this was a first effort and her films have learned from this one's mistakes.

My review is motivated by what appears to be some negative over analysis of a delightful little film. As they say, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."I found this film very easy to follow. Intended or not, this film has a decided message. We are all people, human beings with prejudices, frailties, strengths, weaknesses, wisdom, or not. Through it all, Doolin shows us we all have the ability to understand, if we want to, and the ability to change. Change our thinking, our perceptions, and how we choose to handle life's little curves.To accomplish this, Doolin uses stereotypes. Images and ideologies we have all seen, witnessed or felt. We have quite a few somewhat colorful and interesting, if not fun characters in this film, covering a good part of the questions and attitudes we usually see in society. The conservative religious elitist, liberals, gay and lesbian, all juxtaposed against a canvas of a wedding shower, which unexpectedly reveals greater issues beneath the surface.Doolin handles such deftly,and considering the issues discussed, same sex marriage & gay relationships,some rather heavy issues, she gets her point across with humor and a lightness which makes it easy to appreciate. Doolin makes no preachy commentary of the subject matter;l She exposes the issue of gay relationships, sex and loving a person of the same sex for what it is. All of us want to feel close to another, and want to be loved. How it manifests, and comes to be, is only as it is. (and) as it is, is really no big deal. All the fuss, a lot to do about nothing.Trish Doolin is a very talented writer/directer/actor. if you are secure enough in your own self, and don't mind watching a comedy with gay subject matter, you may find this film quite enjoyable.My parting advice to other critics, Don't over think it. It's really pretty simple.

Wow this was bad. The only reason I rented it in the first place was because I went to school with Lara Harris (she plays Kelly, and what a horrible English accent! Stick to modeling, Lara!) I couldn't even get through the whole thing and didn't even realize it was about lesbians until I came here to read the reviews. That's how bad it was. I rented it via Netflix and 20 minutes into it, ejected the smelly thing from my DVD and immediately mailed it back. Ack, it was awful! The characters were one-dimensional at best. Porn star named Spring Dawn? Gay sidekick? Obnoxious materialistic straight friend? Slacker brother? Dare I go on? I didn't even see the main character April or her fiancé Paulie on screen because I didn't get that far. As God is my witness, I shall never rent another movie without reading more reviews!

Trish Doolan has made an awesome, romantic Comedy about people, with all their insecurities, and love.This movie isn't like some other lesbian-themed movies, it is excellent made, the actors are real good and the storyline isn't gloomy or self-destructive, but fast-paced and hilarious. But that is probably because this movie is about people, not just lesbians.She plays Alex, a chef, preparing the perfect shower for her former roommate April. It all starts with a happy couple and some guests, who could be more different. Revealing that she and April had not only been roommates but lovers is the beginning of a chaos, that lets all people at the shower re-examine their own lives. In the end we have a burning house, a happy couple and this sensation of a real Feel-Good-Movie.