Personal Velocity: Three Portraits (2002)

Director:

Rebecca Miller

Writers:

Rebecca Miller (book)
Rebecca Miller (written by)

Release Date:

28 March 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Three women's escapes from their afflicted lives. Each struggles to flee from the men who confine their personal freedom.

Plot Keywords:

Editor | Hitchhiker | Infidelity | Marriage | Narration

Awards:

6 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kyra Sedgwick	...	Delia Shunt
Parker Posey	...	Greta Herskowitz
Fairuza Balk	...	Paula
John Ventimiglia	...	Narrator (voice)
Ron Leibman	...	Avram Herskowitz
Wallace Shawn	...	Mr. Gelb
David Warshofsky	...	Kurt Wurtzle
Leo Fitzpatrick	...	Mylert
Tim Guinee	...	Lee
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Celia
Ben Shenkman	...	Max
Joel de la Fuente	...	Thavi Matola (as Joel De La Fuente)
Marceline Hugot	...	Pam
Brian Tarantina	...	Pete Shunt
Seth Gilliam	...	Vincent

Also Known As:

Enter Fleeing (USA) (working title)
Personal Velocity (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated R for brief violence, some strong sexuality and language.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A | Chile:14 | Netherlands:12 | Peru:14 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Ellenville, New York, USA

Company:

Blue Magic Pictures

Quotes:

Paula: I used to write. Then I used to paint. I think I'm going to be one of those people with a lot of potential who never really takes off.
Norwegian Man Who Dies with Paula: Those are always the best kind of people

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

Stalled

I don't know why there are so many recent attempts at this sort of thing: individual episodes that approach and overlap the same concept. Perhaps it is because it is easier to craft episodes with power rather than worry about an arc of 90 minutes or more.

But we do have them. Some work amazingly well. I found 'Things you can tell' nearly lifealtering because of the crafty way all the actresses picked up each others' mannerisms to merge into the same woman. '!0 Conversations' was a different take, with the action all occurring in the same world. Less effective overall (with a more overt politics) but well structured.

This, however, is a mess. It bludgeons. It repeats. It insists on obviousness. No subtly is allowed: either an effect shouts or is bleached away. And the worst thing, the most damaging thing that can be said: there is no reward, no insight, no enrichment for the rawness we experience.

Wallace Shawn and a talented cinematographer wasted as well. Shame.

The reliable Parker Posey has a line so wonderful, so noticeably superior to all else, I am convinced she made it up: she says she needs to get an underwater camera.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 4: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.