"Last Date With Jessica"- By Robbie Comeau

The images were pretty clean in this flick but there were definitely some jarring cuts in this one that made it hard for me to stay in the story. The cuts at 3:17 and 3:39 needed better coverage. You need a greater angle of difference between the shots to keep them from being so jarring.

The dialogue felt forced and stilted. The story concept was interesting, though.

Keep it up, Como, you'll get there.
 
I am blown away! That's so much more than I ever imagined it being. I thought the actors did a great job.

You did a great job, Robbie! Good luck!
 
This is a hard degistible emotional piece of cinema. The film took me and I felt myself nearly start to cry. I love the framing and the acting was fantastic. The music also worked very well. I am not really sure if I found enough of the time subject in it - perhaps this was a little bit weak. Compliments - I enjoyed it.

Susanne
 
Robbie, you know how much I appreciate this film and your work. I was fortunate to see an earlier rough cut so that I have some insight into how the final edit came together and I most definitely am impressed. The Comeau most definitely is putting together chops to become a kickass film maker. In many ways, Robbie, you represent the real promise and future of indie film.

I do also agree that your male lead was extremely good and I loved your camera work. I did have the story figured out early but it didn't stop me from enjoying it to the end. Great work, Robbie. I'm extremely interested in seeing what you come up with (especially with regard to a certain project you are working on that you shared with me in a PM!!!)
 
This was a nice, sweet film. I did see the end coming, but your cast pulled off the emotions well. The "fate works itself out" line came out a little strong for my taste, but just my opinion.

Also, I'm not sure if you noticed, but this story does mirror a Scrubs episode (the one with Brendan Fraser).

The long camera shots worked out nicely.
 
In the past few days, DVXusers Ben Sliker and Justin Kuhn sat down and chatted over AIM while simultaneously watching the same TIMEFEST films. We call them, "The AIM sessions". Here's their thoughts on "LAST DATE WITH JESSICA"

happygobo (10:52:17 AM): brb
spesliker (10:52:20 AM): i'll get a drink
happygobo (11:00:13 AM): ok
spesliker (11:00:38 AM): NEXT SONG
happygobo (11:00:45 AM): robbie's movie
spesliker (11:00:49 AM): ok
spesliker (11:00:54 AM): COMO HERE WE COME
spesliker (11:01:12 AM): ready?
happygobo (11:01:20 AM): yeah
spesliker (11:01:21 AM): 3
spesliker (11:01:22 AM): 2
spesliker (11:01:23 AM): 1
spesliker (11:01:25 AM): PLAY
happygobo (11:01:49 AM): DOLLY THAT shi* ROBBIE
happygobo (11:01:59 AM): YEAAAh
spesliker (11:02:02 AM): i think this might have potential
spesliker (11:02:26 AM): lotsa walkin ....
spesliker (11:02:36 AM): YEAH ROBBIE PULL IT TOGETHER
happygobo (11:02:50 AM): YES THERE YOU ARE
spesliker (11:03:07 AM): BLUR TITLES COOL
happygobo (11:03:18 AM): he likes that motion effect
spesliker (11:03:36 AM): is she blind in this one too?
spesliker (11:03:43 AM): i guess not
spesliker (11:03:56 AM): is that a mic on her?
happygobo (11:04:02 AM): i didn't see
spesliker (11:04:06 AM): it's there
happygobo (11:04:11 AM): no doubt.
spesliker (11:04:16 AM): on her right .... boob
happygobo (11:04:26 AM): oh, that's it
spesliker (11:04:29 AM): ZOOM OUT
happygobo (11:04:39 AM): there it is
happygobo (11:04:41 AM): saw it
spesliker (11:04:53 AM): unless it's a necklace
happygobo (11:05:04 AM): oh, it is.
happygobo (11:05:16 AM): a necklace.
spesliker (11:05:28 AM): yeah ... i'm stupid.
spesliker (11:05:50 AM): poo pooing rollercosters
happygobo (11:05:52 AM): I believe you
spesliker (11:05:57 AM): i hate rollercosters ... especially ... of emotion
spesliker (11:06:16 AM): OH SNAP
happygobo (11:07:04 AM): RACK THAT shi* ROBBIE
happygobo (11:07:23 AM): little unmotivated tho.
spesliker (11:07:26 AM): wow ... that was poo pooing sad. ben is a sad panda right now.
spesliker (11:07:39 AM): she was hiding, like a ninja.
happygobo (11:07:57 AM): that's the interpretation I'll always have in my heart of hearts.
happygobo (11:08:54 AM): NEXT SONG out of thyme
spesliker (11:08:55 AM): he he
spesliker (11:08:59 AM): ok
spesliker (11:09:02 AM): wait
spesliker (11:09:06 AM): gotta give robbie a score

Robbie, good stuff man, I'd like to echo some of the thoughts everyone else had, you are really building your chops, and I'm looking forward to your future projects. :thumbsup:
 
Susanne G. said:
I am not really sure if I found enough of the time subject in it - perhaps this was a little bit weak.
Click to expand...

MAJOR SPOILER









He missed his chance to marry her, and now instead of going to the church for a wedding, it's for a funeral instead. Too late.

a
 
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SPOILERS


alex whitmer said:
He missed his chance to marry her, and now instead of going to the church to get married, it's for a funeral instead. Too late.

a
Click to expand...
Damn, I messed this up. I thought he was going to get married to someone else. Hence the call from his Mom.

The card with her picture on it also states that she died in 2006! I figured that this was present day.
The church sign doesn't mention a funeral or a wedding so I'm not sure what to think?

Alex, I know you didn't write the story but you did help edit it so I'll take your word for it. The phone call really threw me though since I already knew she was dead.

Mike
 
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Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
Damn
Click to expand...

Sadly there were some logistical issues that nixed a few important visuals in the final scene.

SPOILER




Robbie ...

I noticed a faux pas ...

When Jessica vanishes, she takes the rose with her. As she never really existed, the rose should have somehow ended up back with her beau.

Also note ...

Yellow Rose: A yellow rose is one of friendship and freedom. Unless you are already seriously attached, this rose signals a desire to keep things on a more platonic level, or even to send a message that one is ready to be free.

Technically he's free, just not the way he wanted.

a
 
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The card also says 2006, but I think that's been pointed out.

Would a church really announce a funeral? There should probably be people waiting by the door... Either a pastor or the mom.

But that's only small details. I'm still thrilled with it. I've probably watched it a few dozen times.
 
I thought this was nice and could have been even better with some tighter and faster cut shots, and a stronger reveal (for some reason I saw it coming). It would have been great if the rose fell or something or he still had it in his pocket. Good job!
 
I liked this the first time round, time to watch it again: Great opening sequence, nice score though it pulled me out of it a little when he turns back from the door to get the rose. Actor playing the lead character is very good, he turns out some really great facial expressions. I liked the "small town America" setting which seemed to fit the story very well. Cinematography was excellent. Like many others I saw the end coming. Overall I liked this very much, though somehow it just lacked something - maybe the ending seemed a little cold?
 
Well I got through with all the voting and some of the comments and I realized that there were a few that somehow I had overlooked? "Last Date with Jessica" was one of them and I must say it was worth the wait.

I felt that this film was a GEM! What a tender portrait. The only thing that I had an issue with is whlie he was on the phone with his mom, there was a very jarring jump cut that took me out of the moment. Some of the comments that I saw said to tighten it up and normally, I am PREACHING PACING AND A TIGHTER EDIT... but there was something quite special... lamenting if you will that this walk really shouldn't have been any faster. Clean up the cuts yes... speed... I liked it just the pace that it was. (MODIFIED: I just watched again and although the phone call cut was the most jarring, it was not the only jump cut, there are a few).

If you are not familiar with there work (I can't see how you couldn't because your film SMACKS of what I like best about their work), I would suggest that you look at the POLISH brothers films. Again, I imagine that you are already acquainted with there stuff. When I first saw Idaho Falls I was getting annoyed by the speed in which they lumbered along but it after while I just let them take me where they were going to. By the time I saw Northfork and then Astronaut Farmer I was already in the groove and the pace that they go. Again I can't tell you how charming and heartfelt I thought your film was.

The music box in the beginning was so haunting and forlorn and then the keyboard just smacked it around... I like the music overall, but I really would suggest a tweak on it to keep the feel that the first part had (my two cents). (MODIFIED: I just watched it again I think the biggest thing is the cimputerized strings, just takes it down a notch; About 4:34 the music is subtly starting up again, It would be nice to have something like this in the walking portion, to give it a little more).

I am quite greedy with 10 star ratings and if the edit was a little cleaner and the music a little more refined, I would definitely put it in the 10 star category. Mainly because you made me feel sad and you took me to a place that was bitter sweet.

Thanks so much for you and your teams efforts and I just want to tell you again how much I enjoyed this film. No VFX, no Flash... just all heart. Best of luck to you all!

(MODIFIED: Yep, second time even better)
 
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Hey guy,

I think most people have mentioned that things that went wrong here. But it all seems to be constructive, as mine would be had it not already all been mentioned.

I love your shots. I liked the compositions and the really loved this story. It felt right, the looks was right, the pacing right. I commend you on taking this route and think you've done a wonderful job here.

Good work. Really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see more from you.
 
Robbie, nice film. Man, you really stepped up your game. I enjoyed your last film, but you had some really great shots in here and I liked the story. The pacing seemed a little slow, but that's about it. Very nice.
 
Robbie,

I don't know if I am qualified to even comment given the number of times I read the script (in all its different edits) and seen the rough cuts. I guess that only disqualifies me from commenting on how the story was played out. t any rate, I know you've been waiting for me to drop in here and I purposely waited to until your film popped up next in line in the zip folders. :evil:

Like I have told you multiple times, I like the story. I think your title is way too revealing (I told you this a while back, actually!). Another thing is that the idea is for the audience to think they are getting married, right up until Jessica dissapears, but I don't get that idea until he says "I should have married you the first time you asked." Even still, once that occurrs, it does a good job of setting us up for the twist.

The acting is less than perfect (but she makes up for it because she is quite pretty, especially in that photo he carries around.) I thought the score was really good except at the point wher he almost leaves the house but turns back to get something - I think the flower. At that point it didn't really mesh and kind of took me out of the story.

I liked most of the shots. During the bench scene there were a couple of fast cuts to different angles that pissed me off a little bit :D but it wasn't too big of a deal. Also, the audio was choppy in a number of places, especially during their walk.

Overall I think you did a good job. Most of the shots were very nice. I know I said I can't really comment on the story, but screw it. I think I would have changed the title and added a few dialogue pieces that would push the audience into thinking they were getting married. They seem more like a couple on an awkward first date or something in some parts.

Great work from you, thank you for asking for help along the way. I am always willing to assist. I think you did a good job with this script (even though you threw me to the curb to take this one, you bastard! :grin:) Good job and good luck!

PS: I will read that other script for you, I keep forgetting. I feel so bad about that. Maybe you are on MSN right now and I will read it and act like I read it last night. Hopefully you are as lazy as I think you are and won't read this far into this post, that way my plan will work!
 
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