Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Brainsbell The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

JAMES BROOKS Being a fan of actress Virginia Madsen, I have been especially looking forward to seeing this movie, and have long sought a copy for my video collection.After finally locating one through a source in Austrailia, I recently saw it and found it to be worth the wait.For the life of me, I don't know why this film didn't get more attention; then again I am sure there are reasons, such as being an independent film and automatically not going beyond the art houses, and perhaps the cast being mostly middle-aged and older, which probably would not interest the Gen Xers.It is a shame though, being such a fine film, with a good story and a great cast, and not to mention one of Virginia Madsen's best performances.One thing for certain is that Virginia has remained consistent, in that she seems to do her best work in movies no one ever gets to see, such as her remarkable performance in "American Gun", in which we watch her character successfully age from a teenager to middle-age.Once again, another film that deserved more attention, but at least it is on video and has even been on cable once or twice.From what I have been reading lately, she seems to want to continue making independent movies in the future, a very wise move if you ask me, when you consider her early career and her treatment in 'mainstream' movies.I hope with her unqualified success in "Sideways", she will now be noticed, and that she will get much better roles that are worthy of her in much better films; though admittedly it is going to be hard to top her Oscar-nominated performance as Maya.In any event, she deserves it !!!In regards to this film, the producers do a great deal with their limited budget and resources, by cleverly telling a 'story within a story', that is the making a 'bio-pic' about actor James Dean.This gives the film a rather warm, nostalgic feel; as does the retro-50's gas station reopened by John Mahoney's character; and though the cast is decidedly older and middle-aged (hard to think of Virginia Madsen that way !!!), there is a slight nod to the Xers in the cast as well.Too bad that this film never found its audience, especially with such a likable cast, that includes an array of quirky and lovable characters, for this is a movie I would want to see often, even if Virginia Madsen wasn't in the cast. In the past, more often than not, when I found any movie Virginia Madsen was in, I tend to just zip through it to note what scenes she appeared in, then putting the video away to gather dust somewhere.Not this time !!!In my opinion, "Almost Salinas" is an example of what an independent film is all about, and hopefully is a reflection of not only Virginia Madsen's continued good fortune, but also a general trend towards what film should be; that is a production that deals in more human terms and away from the big-budget spectacles that have been shoved down the public's throat lately. Take my word on this, seek this one out by all means, even if you have to go to Austrailia to find a copy, like I did.You won't regret it !!!

ljames269 This was a warm family movie - no violence, foul language -- just a well told story. The acting is top notch and the cinematography is great. I also enjoyed the music in this film. The story also has a little surprise that was interesting. I found out that this is a first time director, directing his own script. Fine job.

followinghim-only The viewer is drawn into this compelling story as they should be...slowly and carefully. We are allowed time to savor each moment and believe in the characters. Whether from careful editing or marvelous talent, this movie flows from scene to scene, telling a story we all thought had been done to death. Although not yet seen much in the U.S. it is surely worth any effort to track down a copy.

Ken Clayman My wife and I saw the film at a movie class. It was a beautifully written, with loving characters and an ensemble cast. John Mahoney was superb in the lead role. It was a "throwback" movie in the sense there were no four-letter words, and there was no violence, and no explicit sex scenes (although the movie was intensely romantic). We found ourselves talking about the movie and its meaning in the days thereafter.In enjoyed the film so much that I undertook to contact the producer and director. With the producer's help, I actually held a screening of the film, with my friends as guests. I am not in the film business in any way, and had never even been to a screening myself. I have now seen the film three times, and find nuances in it on each occasion I was not aware of before.