All Along
Year: 2008
Directors: Robert A, Masciantonio
Stars: Bill Page, Krista Allen, Erin Brown
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Apprentice Productions
Running Time: 76 Mins
Review Rating: 3 Stars
Official Website: http://www.allalongfilm.com/


All Along is the follow-up feature to Robert A. Masciantonio’s 1999 cult horror film “Cold Hearts”, which I’m a big fan of. He now tries his hand at the romantic comedy genre with this film. All Along has already played in such film festivals such, as the Kent Film Festival and the Myrtle Beach International Film Festival.

This romantic comedy is about a guy named Richard Harrison (Bill Page), who has everything going for him, a loving wife, job security, and two rambunctious teenagers. But his life is about to change when he turns 40, as Richard starts to daydream to escape his reality. But his daydreams always get him into trouble when he comes back into reality. In order to stop these problems, Richard seeks the help of a psychologist (Krista Allen) to help trace his problems, so he can unlock the mysteries of his problems and go back to the life that he was accustomed to.

Writer/Director Robert A Masciantonio overall, does a good job with the film. He keeps the action for most of the film through the film’s humor. Masciantonio’s direction of the actors was very good, as he does a good job making their performances gel together. The acting helps makeup for the flaws in the screenplay, which I’ll talk about.

Robert A Masciantonio’s screenplay wasn’t bad but there were some flaws that could have hurt the film in a big way and some good things that help the film succeed. First, the screenplay felt too confined to one area, for the most part, as he spends most of the film at the amusement park. It just felt a little boring that the movie was still at the place, after the first half of the film. I would have wanted to see what would happen with his dreams during his daily routine, even though there is a glimpse of it, in the film. The screenplay should have had the main character daydream in other places, which would have added more laughs and added more fun. Also, the film could have used another fifteen minutes to explore that aspect as it would have helped made Masciantonio’s screenplay better. But, there are also good things about Robert A Masciantonio’s screenplay. He develops the main character’s relationship with the other characters very well. The characters also didn’t seem annoying or dumb. And the film’s humor was funny, as it wasn’t repetitively stupid or something so grossed-out that would make me push the stop button, on the DVD player.

The performances were good. Bill Page was very good as Richard Harrison. I liked how he hits the comedic tones of the material as his reactions helps make his character interesting and fun. Page also had good chemistry with his other co-stars, especially with Krista Allen. The two, worked well with each other, which helped keep my interest in the story, when it was becoming too confined.

All Along is a good film that I do suggest you check out if playing at your local film festival but it’s nowhere close to Masciantonio’s last feature film.

All Along’s Upcoming Screening:

Friday April 4th at 7:00PM at the Fairhope Film Festival, in Fairhope, Alabama

Saturday May 17th at 9:30PM at the Big Island Film Festival, in Hawaii