"Out of Season"
A Film Review by
Linda Lopez McAlister
on "The Women's Show"
WMNF-FM 88.5, Tampa, FL


 Today I'm previewing/reviewing another of the films slated for
the 9th Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival that gets
underway on October 2.  It's called "Out of Season."   When I looked at
the description of today's film I almost decided not to  look at
it--another first feature film by a film school student made with
parents' help and credit cards. I've seen lots of those and they can be
pretty bad.  However, I was intrigued by its subplot of caregiving to an
aged relative so decided to give it a try.  I certainly am glad that I
did.

 The producer, director, and co-author of the story is Jeanette
L. Buck and she has made a fine independent film even if it is her M.A.
thesis film and was made on a shoestring.   The story, though simple, is
made compelling by the characters who first-time screenwriter Kim McNabb
and an outstanding cast of professional actors bring to life on the
screen.

 The plot is, briefly, about Micki, a Washington, D.C.-based
dyke who agrees to go to Cape May, N.J. to take care of her uncle who is
terminally ill.  She's a footloose sort anyway and the only one in the
family who is free just to pick up and go.  When she gets to Cape May
everybody knows who she is, Charlie's niece, and nobody much likes her
sullen ways.  Especially unhappy with her are the two women who work at
Charlie's favorite diner, Shelley, the waitress, and Roberta, the short
order cook.  These three women are played by Carol Monda, Joy Kelly, and
Nancy Daly, respectively, and they're all just wonderful in their parts,
as is Charlie, played by Dennis Fecteau.  In fact, Nancy Daly almost
steals the film with her character Shelley--the most interesting diner
waitress on film since Flo on "Alice."

But I digress.  Turns out that Roberta is not only a dear and loving
friend of Charlie's but also a lesbian, as well.  And she is then doubly
critical of Roberta and tries to give her a wide berth.  Nonetheless,
they can't escape one another and Micki is somewhat intrigued, so she
tries and succeeds in breaking the ice by insisting that Roberta come
out with her and some friends who have driven up from D.C. to visit her.

 Roberta, who has not had a social life since the lover with whom
she moved to Cape May left her and left town, has a good time and
lightens up a bit toward Micki.   Eventually they do become lovers, but
the path of true love..... well, you know....so there are some hurdles
to overcome before we get to the final reel.

 The film progresses at a fairly leisurely pace which seems right
for the story line and the atmosphere of a Jersey Shore resort in
winter.  And there's time enough for people to have conversations and to
explore some of the feelings of someone who knows death is imminent as
well as the tensions and frustrations that inevitably arise for  someone
who is in the caregiver role for someone she cares deeply for.

 All in all, I liked this film very much and would recommend it
to you.  It is both entertaining and serious, and, as I said, filled
with some excellent acting.

 For the WMNF Women's Show this is Linda Lopez McAlister on Women
and Film.

<Linda Lopez McAlister is Chair of the Department of Women's Studies at
the University of South Florida.>

Copyright 1998 by Linda Lopez McAlister.  All rights reserved.  Please
do not reprint or reproduce this review without the permission of the
author: mcaliste@chuma.cas.usf.edu.