Elena Undone
The wife of a pastor who preaches against homosexuality embarks on an affair with a female writer.
-
- Cast:
- Necar Zadegan , Traci Dinwiddie , Gary Weeks , Sam Harris , Mary Jane Wells , Shyloh Oostwald , Jane Clark
Similar titles
Reviews
Such a frustrating disappointment
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
This film is one of my favourite lesbian films of all time. There is a real connection between the two main characters. The film spends some time at the beginning so the audience can get to know the main characters and make their own judgement about them.
Oh, I love this film so much!!! I just can't stress it enough. I watched this film several years back, when I first began to explore sexuality and understand who I am. To me, Elena Undone wasn't only a great, memorable film (as a movie-goer and a filmmaker), it was also personally helpful and I will always be grateful to dir. Nicole Conn who created it. Elena Undone is a powerful, moving piece of film, maybe because it feels so realistic, and also because everything works well: the script /dialogue, the performances, production design etc. I strongly recommend everyone to watch - even if you're not LGBTQ or 'curious'. You will still find this film entertaining, enriching and touching.
Elena Undone is by far, the best lesbian movie I've ever seen. The chemistry between the two women is palpable, the script is well written and believable, and the acting is wonderful by the two leading actresses as well as the supporting cast. Traci Dinwiddie (Peyton) especially stands out when she is preparing to share her feelings with her up-til-then platonic friend. Her discomfort yet innocent naivety was delightful. She conveys with one raised eyebrow or sigh, her embarrassed, self consciousness. There were two other scenes where she took my breath away: in the short love scene when her lover, Elena (Necar Zadegan), asserts herself sexually and Peyton is forced to face her own control & trust issues, fears, and vulnerability; and in the swimming pool when her pain overwhelms her after their breakup. Peyton's pain becomes our pain as she disappears sobbing underneath the shimmering water.I actually regard The Longest Kiss as the first love scene in Elena Undone. The energy and determination with which Elena bursts into the room would cause any heart to race and the poignant dialogue between kisses rang so true that it only added to their rising passion. Necar Zadegan is enchanting as she wrestles with her new found reality of finding herself in love with a woman. She owns the screen in the morning-after breakfast scene and in the park when her dreams begin to crumble as Peyton emotionally steps back and pushes her away. Two other actresses deserve special mention: Mary Wells as Wave, Peyton's best friend, was fabulous! She's a best friend everyone would want. And Sabrina Fuster as Tori was simply charming. They both offered sterling performances.One final mention the music is remarkable. Between Jennifer Corday's "Make Me Come Undone", Marc Chait's score, and Sabrina Fuster's "Suddenly", the music pulls at our heartstrings and keeps us emotionally tuned in every moment.In closing, I don't know how Nicole Conn does it. A great script is the key and this was indeed a wonderful, reality based script. The movie just gets better and better. It's important to note too that Nicole Conn has given us more than just a lesbian movie. It's a movie about relationships and an affirmation that if we pay close attention and truly show up in our lives, then our chances of finding love is better than we think. Janet Liss
This movie is one everyone should see. The truth is that people fall in love; it can be messy; people may get hurt. The more complex reality is that we can really "sleep half our lives away" and wake to find our life is not what we believed it to be. We can have the best intentions; make the most detailed plan for our lives and wake to find nothing is the same.Two women of good intention-adoption for God's sake- find themselves involved in an escalating romance. It doesn't matter what you think about gay, lesbian or even broken marriage vows, it happens.And, the simple truth is no one talks about how a woman's world is split open by discovering that she can be sexually and romantically involved with another woman when that has never seemed "imaginable to her." No one talks about the collateral damage a woman will do on both sides of the equation because she has been conditioned to compromise, to "work it out."So, Elena Undone talks about it; shows it; let's you live it for just a little while. Long kisses, glorious love-making, mine-field maneuvering in the land of disintegrating marriage; heart breaking choices in the pool of self-protection; and the simple notion that once the wreckage has been sorted, if it's true love, there is hope. That's all any of us want to believe, really. There is hope. AM I a romantic? Sure. I am living proof that the wreckage doesn't have to bury the flame. Twenty five years after meeting; with an 11 year separation, my soul mate and I just marked 13 years in June.Go see the movie. Leave all your baggage at home. It's a movie. It tells a story and it makes you feel good; not bad...good!