For many of us, films about the overly obsessive best friend who eventually goes on to have a psychotic rampage tend to be an enjoyable guilty pleasure. However, director/writer Rebecca Cutter fails to give an equally entertaining script with her latest project.
Besties tells the story of Sandy (Olivia Crocicchia), a dorky underclassman who idolizes the babysitter that has lived next door to her for years. Ashley (Madison Riley) is a gorgeous, fun, and popular senior. She is also manipulative bitch. On the night that her dad goes out of town for work, Sandy excitedly asks Ashley to baby-sit her. Ashley takes advantage of this opportunity to throw a party in which a destructive ex makes an unexpected visit. When things get out of hand, the night ends with deadly results. To make sure she never reveals the secrets of that night, Ashley entices Sandy with a “friendship” she wouldn’t dare want to risk losing.
The premise sounds interesting enough. I even appreciate the slight originality of role reversal with who is actually good and bad in this film. Movies like Single White Female and The Roomate focus on the pretty and sweet girl who has unknowingly become a victim to the crazy, obsessive new friend. Sandy is very much the victim in Besties. The problem with this film, in comparison to its predecessors, is the tamed and boring actions that follow after the two girls become best friends. Yes, Ashley is mean but there really isn’t a boiling point for Sandy that makes the audience: one- want to sympathize for her, and two- really want her to overcome Ashley.
Maybe if there were more talented actors, the movie could have been a bit thrilling. Crocicchia was tolerable, but her attempt to act drunk was almost as embarrassing as watching Bobby Soto try to play a convincing love interest for her character. A couple shots of vodka for Crocicchia, and a few acting lessons for Soto could have made for a better film. Thank goodness for Riley’s performance as the conniving antagonist. She is truly the only reason I was able to keep watching this movie. Although, if Ashley’s mom (Jackie Debatin) and Sandy ’s dad (Corin Nemec) would have played a bigger part, I think we could have had an interesting side story.
Besties is a low-budget drama/thriller that starts out with so much potential, but falls incredibly flat.
Watch Besties on demand at phase4films.com
Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com
Now I did enjoy all the moments with Whitaker and Bassett. The two are just such great actors. Even in a mediocre film like this, they some how make it pleasurable with their performances. The music is great, and once again Jennifer Hudson shows off her strength in her power ballads. Everyone else sings well, but there is a clear “Idol” out of the bunch.
Ortiz might want to focus more on his screenwriting skills versus his directing and acting. He proved he could deliver lines quickly, but failed to have any meaning behind them. As far as camera work goes, I’ve seen better filming from my past production classes. The beginning had some awkward out-of-focus shots, and the movie had too many unnecessary scenes. I’m not sure who was in charge of audio, but the sound was all over the place. At times, it was as if the characters had been mute or maybe they were just mumbling; I’m not really sure.
Even with the cast being mostly new to the big screen, they don’t show any signs of amateur acting. Eugenio Derbez is one of the biggest actors in Mexico, if not the biggest. Having already made a few small appearances in American films like Jack and Jill and Girl in Progress, he makes a giant leap as the star, director, and co-writer of Instructions Not Included. He is a natural comedian and is hilarious in either language. From his dumb-founded facial expressions to his genuine caring father moments, you’re immediately connected to this character. Throw in newcomer, Loreto Peralta, as the adorable smart-aleck daughter and you have a dynamic duo. These two have such great chemistry and a heartwarming father/daughter relationship. Of course watching Valentin figure out how to take care of baby Maggie using whatever he has around him, including a clever backpack with holes for legs as a baby carrier strap on is priceless. Maggie’s mother Julie plays a less lovable character. Jessica Lindsey, does a fantastic job as a selfish and confused baby mama who can’t quite make up her mind on whether or not she’s capable of motherhood.
