SOULMATES – A Review by Cynthia Flores
Soulmates is a forgettable guilty pleasure. It’s a kind of movie that reminds me of Hallmark Hall of Fame films and an after-school special about being good friends. There are no complicated plot twists or dark secrets to uncover and that’s okay sometimes.
At the center of the film is the love between two Vermont women who have been best friends since childhood. Twenty-nine-year-old Sam (Alexandra Case) and Jess (Stephanie Lynn) are each other’s everything. They are roommates and have each other’s back in the picturesque small town. Their platonic love is a running joke throughout the film. Most of their neighbors think it’s more than that since the two are inseparable. That is until Jess meets a handsome out-of-stater named Landon (Mark Famiglietti). Sam begins to fear she’s being cast aside as she watches the whirlwind romance between the two. On top of it all, he works for a massive maple syrup corporation that is threatening the small-town way of life they know and love in their beloved Vermont. Sam will pull out all the stops trying to bust up Jess’s new romantic relationship to keep her friendship intact and protect the town. All this as she and the town battle to keep the ominous, big company from developing any further as they gobble up family-owned maple farms.
I’ll admit Soulmates is not my cup of tea. To be honest with you, I like my films grittier, meaner, and filled with cynicism. But there is something to be said for a movie that could be watched with your grandmother without flinching. It won’t win any awards, but there are some hilarious tongue-in-cheek jokes. Also, the acting of Alexandra Case who plays Sam is very slap-sticky along the lines of Lucille Ball in the TV show I Love Lucy. Watching her go through a string of dates Jess set up for her is actually very funny. So, if you like Vermont, and maple syrup, in that order, then you’ll probably like this film.
I give Soulmates a 3-star rating. It’s a sweet film, pardon the pun, that’s perfect for the G-rated crowd.
Directed by: Timothy Armstrong
Written by: Stephanie Lynn, Alexandra Case
Rated: NR
Selig Rating: 3 Stars
Running Time: 91min
Comedy
Limited Theatrical Release: November 12th and available VOD
Starring: Stephanie Lynn, Alexandra Case, Mark Famiglietti
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
