All Creatures Here Below

It is not a pleasant movie at all but a very good character study of two people on the fringe of homelessness in Los Angeles. As the movie begins he and she each lose their jobs, for different reasons through no fault of theirs. Trying to make a go of it anyway they soon end up on a road trip in someone else's car that takes them to Kansas City.

David Dastmalchian, who also wrote the script, is Gensan. His partner is Karen Gillan as Ruby, who appears to be a bit "slow" and also naive. They clearly care for each other, she depends on him greatly, but every day seems to be a massive speed bump in the road of life.

I have only seen Gillan on TV talk shows, with her smiling face and very red hair. Here she has short black hair, hardly any makeup, and doesn't really look like herself. But it is a very appropriate look and she plays her role superbly.

This is a movie without happy endings but it probably reflects well on how some people living on the fringes of society have difficulty dealing every day. It is a well-made movie of a difficult subject.

This feels like an Indie film from get go, and it sort of ropes you right in from the beginning; you are curious about these odd and rather sad characters and stick around to see where this is going to go. The acting is top notch, really quite incredible performances from people you don't see often (I've never seen either of the two leads). HOWEVER. If this was based on a true story, it should never be retold. If it's just fiction, the writer should seek other topics. This thing is just drenchingly sad. The story winds down and down, you know midway through that there can be NO possible good outcome. Towards the end, we can see what is happening in that hotel room and then just hope and wish that it doesn't turn out to be what you think it will; it does. From there on out to the bizarre ending, it is just purely unnecessary sadness. Why tell a story like this? Who could possibly enjoy watching such tragedy? I don't get it. Everything about acting and music and cinematography top notch, but damned if I know why anyone would dream up such depressing dreck to film for others to see. John Doe turned in a top notch performance too, albeit quite brief. Can't wait to see X again, they never let you down, unlike this movie...

This movie is absolutely worth watching, and I liked it. The tale it tells is disturbing to say the least, but it's well acted, the story line is deceptive at first, but it is thought provoking. If you liked "The Virgin Suicides" you might find you like this - the story is very different, but the mood you're left with at the end is similar - it's sad, but it might leave you thankful. Sometimes sad stories should be told.

Ann Jillian and David Dastmalchian star in this star-crossed lover drug/roadie flick about a working stiff who has a drug addicted girlfriend and a limited income.

He gets fired and bets his paycheck on a cock fight. He wins, but the fight is broken up by the police and the bookie/drug dealer runs away with the money. David catches up with him and stabs him in the leg. He takes the money and the dealer's car and runs away with his girlfriend to another state.

So, what is the big deal. We have seen this a hundred times already. Oh wait, they discover a baby in the back seat after a few hundred miles. This certainly complicates things. Now, there is a potential kidnapping charge, in addition to other charges.

The story gets authenticity in my book because of Dastmalchians early adulthood in the Midwest as a drug runner/dealer, who eventually cleaned up his bad habits and migrated to LA. That authenticity shows in the film.

However, there are few surprises here, other than the baby, and we are left with an empty feeling at the end of the movie. However, that is what the writer intended.

For the first half you will feel what the hell is this you are watching but as the movie progresses it makes you understand the depth of the characters. Really well acted and story line is good. It is disturbing and sad but the characters you will hate in the beginning will make you understand why they did what they did in the end.