Here are short reviews of new movies opening Friday.
Henry Barrial’s “Some Body” stars Stephanie Bennett as Samantha, an L.A. elementary school teacher pushing 30 who one day realizes that her seven-year live-in relationship with her nice guy boyfriend has gotten a bit too bland and comfortable. She wants romance, adventure and more exciting sex. So, in a seeming act of liberation, she breaks it off with him and starts anew.
“Some Body” follows the sordid road Samantha travels as she cruises the L.A. dating scene, starting with regret about the breakup, then sinking through drug and alcohol use, hedonism and remorse.
Bennett also co-wrote the script, based loosely on her own experiences, and is the best thing about the film. A physical cross between Holly Hunter and Christine Lahti, Bennett is quite convincing as she tries to figure out what has gone wrong in her personal life–and how she can fix it before it is too late. To that end, director Barrial employs much cinematic shorthand, including slow motion, fast motion and to-the-camera testimonies. These devices don’t really help or hurt the story, which rests squarely on Bennett’s strong shoulders.
“Some Body” (star)(star) 1/2 opens at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. No MPAA rating (sex, nudity, strong language). Running time: 1:18.
