All I want

All I Want, is a gossip filled dysfunction observation of suburban relationships and friendships. Unfortunate overacting to the camera occurs in the most trivial moments but is only a minor incident. The story revolves around a group of friends self-proclaimed importance and involvement in the longest lasting relationship/marriage of the entire group.

Somehow it works for this extended nuclear family with their earnest honesty and openness. They experience problems that everyone faces at one point or another, and at one degree or another but nonetheless all the issues resonate. Character development takes a while to unfold but once it does, you find the most intriguing orami personality formations. Multidimensional traits and habits for each portrayal poor out fluidly for a few, while others flood the room detrimentally. The film offers a bleak outlook on the expiration date for celibacy just like loyalty may die with the king.

The main protagonist character Mel (Melissa Center) and her second sister Suzy’s (Susan-Kate Heany) intolerance of their youngest sister Libby’s (Giselle Gilbert) homosexuality derails the momentum. Libby’s hidden away girlfriend Nicole (Laura Mann) has the first profound speech in defense of their relationship for the entirety of the first two acts of the film. It actually leads to a rebonding that reminds us of the importance of family values and the necessity to keep those knots tied.

The secondary protagonist Andrew, (Drew Rausch) husband of Mel, has the next and last meaningful speech which is relatable as it is provocative and heart wrenching. Explaining how sacrifice and strife of marriage is impenetrably unimaginable from the outsiders perspective. What we are left with in the end is a well crafted well rounded group of friends and partners that reveal the struggle of life’s intricacies.

All I Want might not have risen up to all that was desired but in life some expectations must be sacrificed for love. It illustrates how there will be days of laughter and happiness, and days of guilt and resentment, and how cohabitation is not for the faint of heart. The good intentions partners support may seem futile and foolhardy but passion and hope certainly does create lovers promises. Character development continues in a natural way and even though there are so many characters sharing screen time each is given a proportionate amount. Focusing on fewer and whittling down the non-essential characters might have established “All I Want” on more manageable ground.

There are lulls in the beginning of the first act that depict Mel and Andrew starting their day after a morning argument but the time would have been better spent thoroughly allowing the characters to exchange banter and commentary on their situation. That being said it subtly hints at how each of them is currently viewing their relationship and how much importance and energy they still wish to expend upon it. Mel makes cereal, cuts coupons and takes work calls while Andrew is in deep contemplation about what transpired and smokes a cigarette in literal reflection peering into the foggy bathroom mirror. All I Want might not be the diamond you searched endlessly for to propose to your partner with but it is still a modest examination about the delicate balance of keeping love in your life.

WRITERS: West Liang, Melissa Center
DIRECTOR: West Liang
PRODUCERS: Melissa Center, West Liang, Giselle Gilbert, Howard Ginsburg, Ira Wagner, Leah Wagner, Ciel Turich
CAST: Melissa Center, Drew Rausch, Josh Casaubon, Rebecca Larsen, Jonathan Chase, Laura Mann, Susan-Kate Heaney, Bruce Lemon, Renee Threatte, Akemi Look, Giselle Gilbert, Drew Brooks, Kate Mines, Molly Kidder, Jorge-Luis Pallo, Camille Mana, Garrett Coffey, Vivian Bang, Bryce McBratnie

Saw the 28th May (direct link)