A fun independent movie, Southern Belles (2005) observes two friends, Belle Scott (Anna Faris) and Bell Granger (Laura Breckenridge), as they save up cash via a tip jar for their coveted move to the big city, Atlanta. Setbacks keep preventing them from making their move, some internal, some external. Bell begins to fall for a local cop, Rhett Butler, played by Justin Chambers of Hysterical Blindness, and he slowly gets suspicious that she's "setting him up." The nature of friendship is explored as conflicts of want emerge.
I liked this film. Some critics felt it was too clichéd about the South, but I can attest to its accuracy of detail, having lived over half my life in the South. The same basic milieu could be modified to just about anywhere in the U.S.A., rural or urban, so its particular setting shouldn't be taken personally.
Written and directed by Paul S. Myers and Brennan Shroff, the dialogue is funny and well-conceived. This is a little lighter in tone and ambition than the excellent films The Good Girl (2002) and Junebug (2005), but basically of their type. Junebug has the advantage of being set in North Carolina, but Southern Belles is worth checking out, too.
Today's Rune: Movement.
3 comments:
Sounds sweet. I love those other movies and will surely check it out.
I've seen this movie on the shelf but keep avoiding it. Perhaps it's the title or packaging. I know, I know, shouldn't judge it by that--I'll check it out on my next trip to the video store. --Jim
I agree -- the cover is cheap and terrible. Meanwhile, I've got to get a copy of Mail Order Bride.
Cheers,
Erik
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