I hardly ever include press kit info in my reviews, but this one so adequately sums up the film that I have to use it. It explains the film without giving too much away. (Cut and paste rocks!)

"An intense, involving, and highly emotional experience, Group dramatizes a queer friendly therapy session for eight very different women who discuss their feelings on sex, religion, family and loneliness. This riveting mockumentary films each session simultaneously from six camera angles, giving viewers the perspectives of the entire group (particularly when someone says something shocking, which is quite often). The effect takes "reality TV" to the next level even though the entire film is brilliantly improvised by a cast of actresses/alternative rockers. The topics of the intriguing 20-week sessions range from Grace's struggle to understand her father's affair with a 17-year-old student, to Rachael's unexpected pregnancy. Then there is Pipi, the most controversial member of the group, a bisexual, blue-haired, overweight, disabled 24-year-old who survived cancer and rape by age seven, and is currently dating a pre-op transsexual. While Ruby, the therapist, offers thoughtful support, Rita, a bored lesbian, provides acerbic, antagonizing comments. The result is mesmerizing. All of the amazing stories involve plenty of tears and hugging along with copious amounts of bickering. In fact, the innovative Group is so absorbing that hearing these outrageous tales of fear, frustration, pain and anger is actually quite therapeutic! Featuring lead performances by Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney, Ladyfest founder Nomy Lamm, Lola Rock N' Rolla, and a soundtrack comprised of Olympia, Washington's indie bands, Group is empowering as it is uncomfortable, and also unforgettable."

"Group" is awesome. There is not one false moment in it. Not one. I was never sure watching it (as I hadn't read the blurb above yet when I saw it) if it was real or improvised. I cannot believe it is not real. Now, I think anyone who reads my stuff knows that I abhor mockumentaries. But this one in different in that it does not mock anyone. It is more a faux- umentary, in that it seems like a documentary but is not reality. While this is also nothing new, "Group" is nonetheless as fresh as Wonder Bread.

The actresses and musicians posing as actresses here are so convincing and so dead-on with their portrayals that surely some of their characters are based on their real personas and real life experiences. By far the most wonderful and amazing moments in the film occur around Pipi. Her climactic scene in the film is one of the most powerful moments you will ever experience watching a movie. If this sequence doesn't tug on your heartstrings... hell, if it doesn't rip your fucking heartstrings right out of your fucking body... then you simply have no heart. There would be no other way not to be affected by its power.

That being said, of course, Pipi was the character that I most strongly identified with in the "group." Sure, there were other "rocker" type, punk type females in the piece, but Pipi just reminded me of me. Perhaps because she was also a rather large person, punked out in appearance and had some of the same feelings as I about authority and sexuality. Still, whether you fully relate to her or not, you'll admit the she has both the most poignant and the most hilarious moment in the film. The latter being in a segment called "Flesh Penis."

And there are other memorable characters in the film. Some of them don't get the screen time they deserve, but that doesn't keep the film from being riveting. There is a religious nurse whose husband is a paraplegic; there is a young woman who doesn't understand why her father is having an affair with a girl her own age; there is an older straight woman who doesn't understand homosexuality (but is open-minded) who thinks analytically; there is a young woman who gets pregnant (this is sadly almost glossed over as it becomes an issue with the analytic woman as to how to talk to her); and there is the acerbic rocker chick who just likes to stir the shit. And, of course, the Earth-Mama type therapist. There are no women of color, as far as I can remember, in the film. Race is never an issue here.

With so much content of value in the film, even if it were lensed and directed by an untalented hack, the film would be invigorating. But since it is created by a group of filmmakers with immense talent and creativity, "Group" becomes even more wonderful to view.

The opening credits were a bit scary as the film is obviously shot on video and the credits are done on white paper as if flyers hanging in storefront window. This looks shitty and is further made poor by jerky, jumpy camera work that looks amateurish. If the entire film had been lensed in this manner, the film might actually have to be written off. But after a few minutes (too much) of this, we are introduced to the "group." The film, here, begins as a 6 panel Warholian split screen and this technique is used throughout the film for the "group" segments. (The shaky camera, flyer shots are used as title cards to introduce each segment).

The 6-camera panel is an awesome and perfect technique here. Occasionally the film seems to overlap time to create a sort of montage of discussion and monologue. But most often is seemingly simply a straight-forward presentation of 6 cameras running at once and the audience being allow to focus on any one or more of the 6 panels that they wish. Sometimes one of the cameras is panning or dollying. Other times, not. Regardless, what we get here is breath-takingly spectacular to look at, always involving. Sure, it might have been appropriate and even important for the film to shift into a two-panel or three-panel presentation at times, but it does not. The filmmakers stay true to their originating, hexagonal idea and do not deviate from it.

A bit about how these group sessions are filmed: Since 6 cameras are running around a circle of 8 or 9 females constantly during the "group" sections of the film, there are apparent in the film often. In other words, sometimes in one of the panel's camera's view, you can see another camera, the cameraman, a microphone or some other sort of filming equipment. You can also see body mikes, at times, on characters. This apparent and obvious cinematic technique however is never discussed in the film. It is obvious that the women talking know they are being filmed and recorded but the subject is never broached and, therefore, the whole technique becomes sort of ethereal and avant-garde. Like the supposed characters in the film, we get used to the cameras and almost begin to ignore them. They begin to melt into the backdrop when drama and confrontation (and caring) emerge in the film. I liked this idea, the notion that the characters never discussed the filming of the piece in any way. It was refreshing for the filming, the intrusion of the camera, which was so obvious, to not become an issue.

Another device used in the film is intended to both highlight the individual characters as well as offer respite from the drama of the dialogue and the visual technique of the 6- camera panel. Occasionally the film breaks away to present a sort of "music video" interlude, featuring just one of the film's characters. These segments use local indie music and are quite alternative yet simple in approach. The first ones seem to run a little long but eventually they get tighter. Also, the first one appears a few minutes into the film and is a bit unexpected and jarring as we get accustomed to the device. Then, the second one appears much too soon after the first. Still, when the film is viewed as a whole, this device is quite nice and does indeed provide moments for the viewer to refresh and relax a bit after intense dramatics.

It's a shame that a film like "Group" is considered a niche piece. There is wide and universal appeal in this film and whoever snaps it up for distribution would be wise to market it as broadly (no pun intended) as possible. The issues here, pregnancy, infidelity, queerdom, religion, sexuality, life choices, homophobia, heterophobia, fear of authority, rape, medical phobias, antagonism, and the inability to communicate are not just female issues, not just gay issues, not just lesbian issues, and not just transgendered issues. This is a film for parent and children, for families, for religious and non-religious people, for adults, for humanity. And its underlying message of love, support and caring is delivered in a powerful and beautifully subtle way.

Note:

Directed by Marilyn Freeman. Shot over 20 sessions.

Here's the official website: http://www.groupthemovie.com

Report Card Script: A+ Acting: A+ Cinematography\Lighting: A+ Special Effects\Make Up: C Music: A- Final Grade: A+

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