Editorial Reviews

Product description

All Over Me [VHS] (View amazon detail page) ASIN: 0780619544 Binding: VHS

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This gritty 1997 film marks the merging of several budding talents: sisters Sylvia and Alex Sichel, who serve as writer and director, and actors Alison Folland (To Die For), Tara Subkoff, and Murmurs singer Leisha Hailey. The idea behind the movie was the Sichels' awe at ever having survived being teenage girls in the big city.

All Over Me is about Claude (Folland) a shy, overweight teen who works in a pizza parlor after school and is secretly in love with her best friend Ellen (Subkoff). But Ellen is far ahead of Claude in development. She has an older boyfriend, and she harbors a bad case of destructive self-loathing that erupts frequently and with a fury. But All Over Me isn't just a teenage cautionary or coming-out tale. It's as much a story of New York and its unbearably long, hot summers as it is the downtown music scene or teenage dreams and struggles with adult issues. More than that, it's a well-made film that has its own rhythm, working slowly to give us insight into the girls' natures. It succeeds admirably in taking us back to that age when everything seemed possible despite the dangers of the city closing in. Growing up has never felt as close to home or as scarily realistic. --Paula Nechak

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches; 6.13 Ounces
Release date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 1998
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ September 29, 2006
Actors ‏ : ‎ Folland, Subkoff, Hauser, Cruz, Ha
Studio ‏ : ‎ New Line Home Video
ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0780619544

Customer Reviews:
4.3 80 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

80 global ratings

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davidlallenlawyer

Pretty Good Surprisingly

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012

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This is good coming of age movie acted well as Girls will be Girls. Personal relationships as friends turn into Lovers slowly. Pretty Good Script. The Girls 15 years old a true coming of age film. This an Okay Buy.

One person found this helpful

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Robert Negron Jr.

Worthy indie film

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019

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I really liked this film plus my best friend David Lee Russek is in it.

One person found this helpful

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Christina

Good movie: Better Chic flick!!

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2001

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I grew up in a big city. I was confused, beguiled, and tried to do the right things. This move shouldn't and didn't win any awards. Yet, how many good moves never do. Its a nice love story of teens growing up trying to do the right thing. being in love for gays only creates more problems for the estab lishment. :(.. See it. This shouldnt even have a *R* rating.

One person found this helpful

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carroll

Not well written.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015

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This was a low rated movie- not well done. Some scenes did not come together in a good lead up to the finale of the movie.

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2008

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this movie was very good. i could really relate to the story. it's a movie i would watch more than once. the acting wasn't the best but becsuse of the story line it was easily overlooked. leisha hailey was great, as usual!

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2007

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All Over Me by Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Cole Hauser, Wilson Cruz
Loved the movie. Thanks much.

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Amazon Customer

Not your typical sappy, dopey, coming-of-age scenario

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2003

All Over Me is one of those films that's hard to forget and easy to watch more than once. The story, set in New York, revolves around teenagers Claude and Ellen. Claude is shy, intelligent, sensitive and beautiful in her own way. Ellen, who is her best friend is comically stunning, angry, the epitomy of the "who gives a... attitude", and given over to dark, self-destructiveness. Claude finds herself in love with Ellen as the two spend time together, trying to form a band and hanging out in the neighborhood. Ellen on the other hand is persuaded over to the side of her older, drug dealer boyfriend who is jealous of the relationship formed between the two girls. Throw in a neighbor, Luke, who looks alot like a younger, shorter Iggy Pop and the story progresses. One night Luke gets into a spat with Ellen's testosterone-charged, dictating boyfriend which ultimately leads to tragedy. In the midst of this commotion, Claude finds herself fond of a cute, fuschia-haired, pixie played by Leisha Hailey from The Murmurs. Both Claude and Ellen are left to figure out what they should do about the incident concerning Luke. Claude confides in her friend played by Wilson Cruz (My So Called Life) as Ellen just does what Ellen does best: drugs, booze and chaos. Still in love with Ellen, Claude is finding it difficult to let herself get close to the girl she just met but confessions of her love to Ellen just seem to infuriate Ellen or confuse Ellen (one time she tells Claude she won't go anywhere with her and the next minute she's calling Claude her "knight in shining armor"?? Hmm). Ultimately, the friendship collapses as Claude does the right thing concerning her neighbor and Ellen's boyfriend is arrested. The ending seems like Claude's new freedom without Ellen - she cleans her room, starts practicing her guitar with her fuschia-haired girlfriend and allows herself to be in love once again. This doesn't seem like one of those sappy, coming-of-age stories that's just waiting for the laugh-track to go off - it has substance, real characters, and relevant problems to deal with. On another note, it's not so dark that you just want to go in your room with the door shut and cry - it leaves hope and allows you to feel that there are noble people as well as sinister ones that exist. It also portrays different kinds of beautiful girls instead of that "popular, cheerleader" cliche. This movie is excellent, thought-provoking, feeling and substantial.

14 people found this helpful

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An Overlooked But Important Film

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2005

I am really, really excited that this film has finally come to DVD- even though it contains no extra features, and this is a movie that could produce a wonderful commentary and/or DVD documentary. I first saw this film on Cinemax when I was about 14 years old and I haven't forgotten it even now that I'm in my early 20's. Alison Folland perfectly underplays Claude- a quiet, insecure girl whose relationship with her best friend Ellen (played by an inspired Tara Subkoff) becomes strained when Ellen starts spending all her time with her new boozing & druggie boyfriend- while at the same time Claude begins to have romantic feelings towards Ellen.

Folland's character soon makes friends with two very special people who encourage her to pursue her love of rock music- Luke, who just moves into the apartment building, and Lucy (Leisha Hailey, who was well-known as a member of the band The Murmurs when this film was released & also supplies some music to the film) who also gives Claude her first same-sex romantic encounter- which is done with a light, sweet & realistic touch. The film does become darker as it plays on, with Ellen's spiral into addiction and ending with a sudden and shocking hate crime takes the life of a friend, and forces Claude to grow up very quickly.

This is a wonderful film that everyone can take something meaningful from- you don't have to be a teenage girl or homosexual/bi-sexual to appreciate the characters, story, and ultimately the message. It also has a fantastic soundtrack (my copy still gets spun after a good seven years) that includes music from Sleater-Kinney, Patti Smith, Ani DiFranco, Tuscadero and many more that skillfully encapsulates both the mid-to-late 90's time period and feel of the movie.

42 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Mr. John Hepworth

bought as present

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2012

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i think my daughter woud say " i love it " but as i bought it as a present cannot really comment the dvd was delivered on time

Stubee

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2016

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ok

Amazon Customer

lgbt

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2018

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a good film for its time

missusnoh

This not a Lesbian film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2019

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This film was a huge disappoint. It was recommended as a Lesbian film. I kept waiting for a plot and or story to start. It seems to be a stream of consciousness about I don't know! I couldn't follow this film at all. I do not recommend it to anyone, it's crap. Go find Better than Chocolate.

myopt2

disappointed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2013

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For it's time maybe a break-thru movie I was disappointed.You b the judge watch yourself. Very nicely done subject matter I was expecting more way people raved about it

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