New York -1990s. Claude is a teenager of our time, daughter of a divorced mother who let her face the challenges of teenage alone. Not quite alone though, since her best friend Hellen is never very far. As different in temperament as they are in appearance, sturdy, self-effacing Claude and fragile, volatile Ellen have long been at the center of each other's universe. In fact, Claude loves Hellen but does not know quite yet how to express her homosexuality. Anyway, Hellen is not gay. But with school almost over and summer in the air, Claude and Ellen have begun to discover more of the world outside Claude's room. Claude has met people like Jesse, Luke and Lucy, who seem to understand her much better than Ellen does. Meanwhile, Ellen has a new boyfriend, a macho neighborhood guy who shows signs of being violent. So much so that he participates in the murder of Luke. Over the course of a few days, events lead Claude to question, for the first time ever, her friendship with Ellen. Will she have to let go of the person she loves most in order to be happy and true to herself? Tough times, where urban teenagers become adults if they are lucky, or else end up in drugs, in prison, or dead
The type of movie we would like to believe is a horror fiction, rather than a picture of our nice so-called 'civilized' society.
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SnoopyStyle11 December 2016Claude (Alison Folland) and Ellen (Tara Subkoff) are best friends in New York. Claude is struggling with her sexuality. Luke is a gay musician who moves into Claude's building. Jesse (Wilson Cruz) is a local gay teen. Ellen spends time with volatile boyfriend Mark (Cole Hauser). His friend Gus (Shawn Hatosy) keeps hitting on Claude. Luke gets into an argument with Mark and then Luke is later found murdered. Claude falls for indie musician Lucy (Leisha Hailey). Mark pushes Ellen into drugs as her friendship with Claude cracks under the pressure.
It's a coming-of-age drama with a bit of bite. Folland's performance is naturalistic. Hauser and Subkoff show their acting skills. The filmmaking is raw for newcomer Sichel sisters. It is amateurish at times but the story and the actors are compelling enough to maintain focus. This deals with many edgy subject matters but it keeps it within Claude's struggle for love. That makes this a more touching exercise than other tougher contemporary indies. -
=G=18 January 2003Exceptionally well done for a low budget indie with a novice auteur, "All Over Me" is a slice-of-life character study which follows an adolescent urban girl, Claude (Folland), with a-typical sexual inclinations and a dream of playing guitar in a rock band through the mean teen streets of NYC's low rent district where she struggles to cope with a best friend's drug abuse, the murder of an acquaintance, a dysfunctional mom for family, and her own low self esteem. In lieu of a solid story, this gritty little flick with limited appeal conjures powerful performances from some young actors and is worth a look for realists into films about "growing pains" and the quiet courage of youth. (B-)
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rmax30482329 July 2007Alison Folland is a young woman in a shabby section of New York who, after a tempestuous friendship with blond, impatient Tara Subkoff, and the murder of her gay buddy Luke, comes to terms with her own lesbianism and finds a happy and accommodating partner in Lucy, a band leader in a place that looks like the Swing Rendezvous in the Village used to look.
Maybe that makes it sound more complicated than it is. It's really a rather simple movie, a little pedantic, a delicate character study rather than a mystery or action movie. Roughly speaking, all the gays are good and all the straight people are messed up. That's not too hard to follow, is it? Well, there are a couple of exceptions, but not many. Don, the Italian owner of the pizza restaurant where Alison and a gay guy both work, is straight but sympathetic. He's briefly in about four scenes. But it's hard to care about Don's character one way or the other because he serves up these GREAT pizzas (we only get a glimpse but can practically smell it) that make Domino's and Pizza Hut look like impostors. Try to get a pizza like that at four in the morning in northern Scotland!
The rest of the straight guys are represented by the boyfriend of Alison's mother, who, in the absence of the mother, begins dangling his insinuations in front of the girl herself, who looks about 16. The straight adolescent goons who ball Subkoff when they feel like it and throw her out when they're bored with her are little more than perambulating pustules.
Folland plays a dumpy adolescent who is shy but sensitive. In fact, however, she has a splendid face with modelesque features, fey and pixie-like. Her bone structure is pretty big though and, alas, the configuration of her weight suggests a strong genetic component. There won't be much she'll be able to do about it. It shouldn't matter, but it always does.
Subkoff, her inconstant adolescent friend, has a more conventional and rather skinny figure but her voice, features, and demeanor are coarser than Folland's. She looks like Buffy the Vampire Slayer if Buffy were the vampire instead of the slayer. She has probably the most demanding role in the film and brings it off marvelously, a complex character very nicely rendered.
The photography and location shooting are just fine. And the movie does middle-class urban dwellers a big favor. You know those young chicks you see on the streets? The ones with violently pink hair done up in a fashion resembling a tangled mop? The ones with maybe a jail-house tat around their biceps? With their clothes half drooping off and that silver ring dangling from their pipiks? Well, only some of them are dangerous stoners. Many of them are just playing with their appearance, as adolescents are want to do in all cultures, and they may be a little thoughtless but fundamentally decent people. I'd watch out for the guys though, especially if they're straight. They have a slight tendency to murder people they find offensive. At least that's what the film suggests. -
Beaumont-42 December 1999All Over Me is not a very good film. The acting is good, especially from Wilson Cruz and Leisha Hailey, but the script is badly written, nothing is resolved at the end, and Tara Subkoff's character is too much of a ditz.
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forever-27 February 2000Dreaming of becoming a rock star and hanging out, Claude (Alison Folland) is just like any other fifteen year-old girl. Almost. As the school year nears an end, she finds her relationship with Ellen (Tara Subkoff) strained. And a new friend, Luke, enters her life.
Ellen is suddenly caught up in her new boyfriend, (Cole Hauser). However, Claude doesn't feel the same way about guys. Claude is attracted to girls. To be specific, she's fallen in love with Ellen. And all that happens is Ellen gets closer and closer to Mark.
When Ellen begins a downward spiral into drugs, alcohol, and late-night partying, Claude has to make a decision. Will she be there for Ellen when she needs her most? Or will she stop letting Ellen use her? To complicate things more, a new love interest enters Claude's life and another friend makes an exit.
Claude is forced to weigh the importance of her relationship with Ellen against her conscience. In the end she has to do the right thing and deal with her best friend hating her. In a matter of days, Claude loses two friends, gains one, and also gains a love. And in the end there is no looking back.
This film is the ideal indie movie. Subkoff and Folland shine along with the rest of the excellent cast. Superb writing and cinematography combined with a hip urban soundtrack make this a must see. -
Irishchatter7 November 2015I have to admit the actors were grand, it's just the story around the film didn't make any sense to me. Like if you look at the movie poster, you would think the two girls Claude and Ellen are a couple but it doesn't seem to be like that at all, it's more based on Ellen going out with a gang leader and taking too many drugs in order to still be with him.
Although I just couldn't understand why the girls had a one night stand? Were they real into each other or was Ellen using her just because she was her best friend? Well either way, it seems Claude had moved on and got herself a hot chick called Lucy, who she met at the nightclub. I honestly thought that was the only I liked in this movie, their relationship!
The rest to be honest wasn't that great to see as none of it just lacked interest to me! -
xphileook16 January 2001I loved this movie. The writing was right on, fantastic. This movie could have been very bad had it not been for the wonderful dialogue and the dynamics between the well crafted and developed characters. The casting was superb. Alison is soooo good. And Leisha has the best hair! The soundtrack is great, it included my favorite band, which was a surprise for me! I loved this movie's subtlness messages and how it's so open to interpretation. For instance, when Ellen says "I hate you." It's a great friendship movie and spoke powerfully to me as I've been in Claude's kind of position before. I watched it twice in one day.
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harry-768 January 2003The setting is Hell's Kitchen, the time the 90s, the lead characters, some confused, angst-ridden teens.
There's not much plot here, nor much character development. Just a brief walk on the wild side of big city life.
Focusing on a sensually ambivalent girl and her off and on lovers and acquaintances, there are very good performances and atmospheric details to savor.
Competently directed, with a rich rock track, these short vignettes explore a feminine teen scene rarely depicted in films. Make no mistake, though, this journey is definitely not for everyone, and only those who have the energy, stamina and interest in examining tough urban life from a young feminine perspective, will be rewarded. -
leparrain521 April 2003I just watched this film on IFC and was really impressed with how well done it was, the acting is really fantastic as well. This one was a sweet story and had real depth of the people we watched in the film. Bravo all around!
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PickUrFeetInPoughkeepsie4 September 2003All Over Me is a film that isn't so much about telling a story as much as it is about feelings and emotions within the characters that are not so obvious at first. The intentions and desires of the characters unfolds as the movie progresses at a very slow pace, and the dialog is intentionally bland, not sharp in any way, as if it was real life. There is no attempt by the filmmaker or actors to make this look like it is a movie, beyond some rather artsy shots here and there. It is simply a window into a young girls life and the small, confused, somewhat corrupted world that surrounds her while she is making another transition in her development in life. This is a very subtle film with very few shifts in tone. The action that leads to the most drastic shift in the film is not even seen, only talked about later on. Even the more climatic moments result in not much happening, though tension does build on a number of occasions. The acting is top notch. In fact, the acting is so superb that it almost makes me wish that the script had just a little more zing to it since the actors could have definitely pulled off some colorful dialog and made for some classic scenes. Regardless of that, All over Me is a good enough film, though if you can't get into the characters or want to see a movie that feels like a movie and not a documentation of life, you won't dig it.
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lthd20 April 2020All Over Me was a movie with a message. Ultimately a sweet girl with bad self-esteem issues decides to venture outside of her little fishbowl after accepting the advice of a kind new neighbor. She slowly realizes she's worth more than the manipulative and abusive friendship she's been in way too long. It's full of 90s subculture: the music, the clothes, the whole package. It also includes the two things that were truly terrifying about growing up gay in the 90s, the huge wave of drugs that hit during the time period (that wiped out more than its fair share of musicians in the process) and the overlooked but rampant (and violent) homophobia. This was my generation. When it came out, movies about gay characters were few and far between. I saw it when I was 17 and it just blew me away. Also if there are any L Word fans out there, it gives you the chance to see a very young Leisha Hailey, from back in her Murmurs days.
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mnshark125 September 2004While I do not think it was a bad made film and the acting was decent, it was not enough to hold my attention. I would not say it was a horrible movie or the worst I have ever seen, but I also do not think I would be telling people to run out and see it. The character Ellen made me want to smack her and also the girl Claude for putting up with crap from Ellen. If you look closely there are several people who have gone onto bigger and better things that are in this not so well known film. It is easy to see the inner struggle between a girl trying to grow into herself and trying to be loyal to her undeserving best friend. This is a movie anyone who has an undeserving best friend should see.
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Dan1863Sickles11 February 2022Small, heartfelt movie, showing the realistic and bittersweet coming of age of an authentic teenage girl. The fact that she's gay and living in an urban slum makes it much more than a typical teen comedy. The shoestring budget and the heartfelt script make it all feel much warmer and more authentic than the dreck of the era, such as Chasing Amy by Kevin Smith.
This movie is a lost treasure! -
michellelocke00712 September 2010by far one of the best coming of age films i've seen in a long time. deals with the trial and tribulations of teenager claude and her best friend ellen and follows their daily lives in hell's kitchen. claude clearly holds a torch for ellen who has an attraction to a local street thug named mark. claude eventually meets up with a local musician and cutie named lucy played leisha hailey of the l word fame. i liked how the relationship was developed and portrayed between between lucy and claude. the awkwardness and pangs of first love. the soundtrack to the film also kicked some serious ass as it used a lot of indie artists and girl bands from the nineties. definitely a keeper.
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otterbock6 March 2021Just watched this movie again in 2021. I felt this movie the first time even as a white straight guy. Its just real. Its teenage angst and its adult angst. Its just how some people feel. And for them its on point. This world is scary and this world is mean. The 90s are such a good example. Its a lot of tears and a lot of missed hugs. Same as it ever was...
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ErnieSegarra26 January 2005I'm Jo-Jo from New York (Ernie is my husband and I can't erase his name from the heading!) I really loved this movie - I watch it all the time. The acting and dialogue were very natural. Having been a teenage girl myself - yes it sucks quite a lot but there are fun bits too and the film really did bring that across. I think its high time there was a sequel - are you listening Sichel sisters?! I care too much about these characters not to want to find out what happens to them. For example, I would like to see how Claude's relationship with Lucy develops, does she join Lucy's band or form one of her own, and how and when she comes out to her mother. Also, I'd like to see Social Services check into Ellen's living situation - where the hell are her parents?! Its a shame that any sequel will obviously not be able to include Luke - Pat Briggs seems to be a very talented guy and I'm surprised I haven't seen him in anything else. I love Patti Smith too! Does anyone agree with me?
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buffy-3419 July 1999This movie would have been so much better if it had a plot. I can understand what the writer was doing, but I don't think he did it to well. If I had to explain this movie to someone I think I would have to say it's about characters growth. A teenaged girl in love with her best friend, forced by separation to find someone with the same feelings. But what I never got with this movie is, why was Ellen so stupid? She stayed with her murderer of a boyfriend even after he almost over-dosed her. And she made out with Claude. what was that about? I don't understand a lot of things about this movie, and I don't think anyone could really explain some of what they saw.
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charley-2712 April 2000All Over Me is beautiful story of friendship, love, and the journey of finding yourself. The Sichel sisters' superb script and outstanding acting combine to create a story that is not so unique, but is completely real. Bringing everything together is a soundtrack that succeeds in highlighting all the best bands in indie-rock. If you are or ever were young and confused, check out this movie.
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fiona-vanhouten17 January 2012Personally, I find this a very good movie in the way how it handles the subjects love, friendship, argue, sadness and violence. There are also lesbian and gay characters in it. It's a good and realistic story and I think it can help some young lesbian and gay persons if they watch this movie. It's for anyone good to watch this.
Alison Folland (I'm a big fan of hers) plays Claude. She is in love with her friend Ellen. Ellen on the other hand is dating Mark but he don't care (much) about her and helps her taking drugs. He is also busy with criminal activities. Claude finds it difficult to see Ellen with him because of her feelings and later on she finds out more and more that he is a bad person. The friendship between Claude and Ellen first is kinda special but later on they get argue because Ellen is very much influenced by Mark.
There is also a murder in the story. It's someone Claude knows and it effects her as well.
At some moment, Claude meets Lucy, a girl in a music store. They like each other but don't talk yet. Later on someone says that she should try a certain bar so that she can meet people there. In that bar are playing girl bands. She does and finds Lucy again by some lucky chance! I won't tell you how the movie continues because it's nicer for you if you watch it yourself!
Also, I find the music good and I think it suits the story. And by looking at the clothing of the characters we can see that the weather is warm. -
tiina_summers16 August 2000I love this movie! It is so real, and people of all ages and sexual preferences can relate to this storyline and the characters. The characters are intense and dramatic but are fresh faces and are real, none of them are made up to be portrayed as perfect, gorgeous and although most of them especially Leisha Hailey are good looking, they are not made up to be that way, they are natural, and it is good to see. I think that teenagers especially those who are confused about their sexuality can appreciate a movie like this, because it is saying that they are not the only one out there who has these problems and it could be somewhat of a comfort.
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Recent docu-dramas such as KIDS and GIRLS TOWN score very big on presentation values and the way current society is told in a realistic manner. ALL OVER ME is pretty much like the rest of them. This one is another look at adolescent problems, but it delivers a frightening message about young teenage girls who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, alternative music, vulgarity, and homosexuality. Its moody and gritty urban setting makes the pleasure even scarier. Every bit of strong attention to detail is well done and well acted, although some may be offended by teenage lesbianism thrown into this thing. I doubt that many of us would feel embarrassed about it, since issues like this has creeped slowly into the mainstream. For me, GIRLS TOWN was better at delivering a rich docu-like account of youths doing all the wrong moves, but ALL OVER ME is another solid example of society gone bad. Pretty disturbing, but that's the whole truth!
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I really enjoyed this movie being a 16 year old girl myself so I found it easy to identify with the characters. I thought all the actors in the movie were really well casted and, as an added bonus, Pat Briggs, who played Luke was really good looking. The soundtrack to the movie was also impressive. I gave it a 10/10.