Beautiful Ohio

Mark and I saw "Beautiful Ohio" Sunday night at the Cleveland film festival.
It was a superb movie with lots of absurdity and dialouge...which is perfect for a double gemini like me.
It was set in the 70's and quite peculiar. It reminds me alot of "American Beauty."...and is a must see if it comes to theaters...or is out in dvd. I want to own it someday!!! Peace and love to you, Michele
see review below:



Origin Country: USA
Runtime: 91 MIN
Presentation Format: 35 MM

DIR Chad Lowe SCR Ethan Canin PROD Hilary Swank, Chad Lowe, Mark Burton DPStephen Kazmierski ED Amy E Duddleston CAST William Hurt, Rita Wilson, Julianna Margulies, Michelle Trachtenberg, David Call, Brett Davern

Short Note:
Directed by Chad Lowe and starring William Hurt, Rita Wilson and Julianna Margulies, set in the 1970s, a 15-year-old boy lives in the constant shadow of his older brother, a free-spirited and enigmatic mathematics genius. The family's coming of age culminates in an event that will affect both brothers and their family forever.

Long Note:
Chad Lowe makes his impressive directorial debut with BEAUTIFUL OHIO, a solid coming-of-age tale that centers on the complex family dynamics and changing social attitudes ofthe early seventies.

Simon and Judith Messerman (William Hurt and Rita Wilson) are enlightened, modern parents who have high hopes for their children's futures. Much of their attention is focused on their quirky and gifted son Clive (David Call), whom they expect to win an upcoming mathematics competition. Clive is an uneasy genius who frequently disconnects from the family by slipping into his own unique method of communication. Meanwhile, his teenage brother William (newcomer Brett Davern) struggles to make his own way while living inhis older brother's formidable shadow. Adding to the relationship complications is Clive's provocative and free-spirited girlfriend, Sandra (Michelle Trachtenberg), who may behiding secrets of her own.

The impressive ensemble cast delivers strong, yet subtle performances, while Lowe's mature and even-handed direction infuses the film with authenticity.
-John Bernstein

Biography:
Chad Lowe has resisted becoming a standard issue teen idol, opting for a more unconventional career. In his body of work on stage, screen and TV, the green-blue eyed blond has conveyed an impressive seriousness and gravity that belies his pretty boy looks. As a frustrated 15-year-old, Lowe was encouraged to "pursue acting not only as a profession but as a way of life" by family friend Martin Sheen. He soon acquired an agent and landed his first acting job--a role in the TV-movie docudrama FLIGHT 90:DISASTER ON THE POTOMAC, just before his 16th birthday.

Lowe received his first major showcase as the star of the engaging teen sitcom SPENCER playing an eccentric, discontented and lusty 16-year-old high school student. Lowe subsequently focused on improving his craft with an acting coach and stage work. He returned to TV to play the estranged son of Elizabeth Taylor's emotionally fragile faded actress on the comeback trail in the TV-movie version of THERE MUST BE A PONY. Lowe later co-starred with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Urich in APRIL MORNING, a period coming-of-age drama set on the eve of the American Revolution.

Lowe gained a devoted following and considerable acclaim and notoriety as a series regular on the third and fourth seasons of the landmark family drama LIFE GOES ON as Jesse McKenna, the HIV-positive artist boyfriend of Becca. Lowe won a richly deserved 1992/93 Emmy for his portrayal.

Lowe received good notices in films including, APPRENTICE TO MURDER, NOBODYÕS PERFECT, HIGHWAY TO HELL and SIRINGO.

BEAUTIFUL OHIO is his directorial debut.

http://www.afi.com/onscreen/AFIFEST/2006/project2020/lowe.aspx