PhilPDX
This is a refreshingly realistic look at what usually happens when people make poor decisions and then slowly come to grips with the choices they've made and the consequences of those decisions. What I found most refreshing was the messy, complicated, unresolved ending. And for once - spoiler alert - the married couple actually stays together and decides to try harder and not give up on the relationship. My only quibble is that after a lot of heartache they do seem to own up to their mistakes fully and completely after only one brief conversation. In that sense I suppose the ending, while not wrapped neatly into a bow, is a bit Pollyanna-ish. Still, this movie is about the journey, which you fully experience with rich, real characters bought to life by a strong cast from top to bottom, including a strong showing by Cybil Shepherd in a supporting role. The three leads are superb as well, esp. Juliette Lewis. 9/10
sugarfreepeppermint
Juliette Lewis pretends to be a hipster rebel for 1 minute and a half, makes a cute wheel chair bound teenage guy next door fall in love with her whiny persona, reveals herself as a Courtney Love rock chick from the 90s, but then rapidly turns back into a Stepford wife.This film is so wrong on so many levels. It teaches women that it's better to stay in a comatose marriage where the love has faded, where one's true personality has disappeared, where the in laws are uptight suburban psychopaths always intruding into your life, and that you have to become a snivelling wreck crying and begging your husband for forgiveness, because you managed to escape from that hell for a while and actually felt the magic of life and love again with a teenage guy who is being discounted because of his young age. What a rebel? Not!
jennywaldo
KELLY & CAL is the kind of movie that stays with you long after you've seen it. Perfect casting of Juliette Lewis who's real-life rock 'n roll youth only strengthens the very raw, honest, and real identity crisis that comes with first-time motherhood. Unfortunately, I have lived this moment in life myself and Juliette plays it with the same "what-the-hell-just-happened" look on her face that I must have had. But Jonny Weston's performance of Cal stole the movie for me. I felt as shocked and moved by his character as Juliette Lewis's Kelly. He was charismatic and heartbreaking. This movie is so smartly written by Amy Lowe Starbin. The characters so true to their place in life. For example, Cal's cynicism might seem older than his years at times, but his youthful judgment and actions remind us he is still a teenager. The movie as a whole is a near perfect synergy of writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The side characters have depth and range that defies their limited time on screen. And while it's been a festival favorite, it is not the type of indie movie that leaves you feeling uncomfortable or weirded out, or mentally exhausted. It's the type of movie I dream of, one that reflects real life and leaves me with a bit of hope.
ugi-supriatna
"Kelly and Cal" is mature-exploration drama with satire comedy and forbidden-and-hidden romance. First question, is this family genre like being noted in many film website? Definitely, not! In first 15 minutes, this film has promising opening, In the middle, when relationship between the older woman (Kelly) and the younger man (Cal) starts weaving, please, It almost disgust me, but thank God, in last 30 minutes it turns out to be it should be. This film has a good and authentic message for you, a new-turned mother, to keep behave. And in this film, it's a real show. But it wouldn't be good if Juliette Lewis and Jonny Weston didn't do their best in this movie.