Kelly & Cal (2014) User Reviews (14)

Slipping on the peel

[cekadah · 7/10 · 25 October 2014]

This movie is like finding and enjoying a perfectly ripened piece of fruit, then taking a step forward, slipping on the peel, falling backwards and cracking your head on the pavement! Now what do I mean by that statement?

It's very simple to understand - the film starts with Kelly meeting Cal, both are highly spirited and living lives very out of place for their charged up personalities. Kelly is confined by her new role as a mother living in a very American suburban middle class neighborhood after her punk rocker all girl band background. Cal is young, handsome, and full of the capacity to experience the ecstasy of life, but he too is confined in life by his disability, wheelchair, and a bitter outlook toward his future. After they discover each other a glorious friendship develops with some of the finest dialog you can find in a movie. Kelly sees in Cal her youth which she obviously misses. Cal sees in Kelly everything he wants to experience in life but cannot or (more likely) is afraid to do because he fears failure more than his disability. Through Kelly, Cal breaks out of his shell and at the same time Kelly develops an empathy for Cal because he has projected his feelings toward her in sexual advances and his willingness to get back into his artistic abilities. Then reality strikes, and Kelly must step back from this complex and needy friendship. At this point the story starts to fall apart.

The movie turns into a ridiculous melodrama of Cal discarding everything Kelly helped him through both psychologically and physically. Kelly goes running after him as if she can save him from himself. Why the writer and director did this I do not understand because they took the relationship of a disabled youth and a frustrated older woman who both found an inner fulfillment in each other that could have been so compelling and bold this movie would have possibly been real box office material. Why not have the suburban housewife have an affair with a disabled youth? Could it possibly be that it was a 'too European' idea?

Either way I encourage watching this story because it is good and that good part makes the bad part not so bruising to watch.

Juliette good but uneven indie

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 2 July 2015]

Kelly (Juliette Lewis) is a former musician turned suburban mom. She hasn't had sex with husband Josh (Josh Hopkins) for 6 months since the birth of their baby. She is uncertain about her new life and struggling as a new mom. She befriends wheelchair-bound flirtatious neighborhood teen Cal McCullen (Jonny Weston). She's hounded by her in-laws Bev (Cybill Shepherd) and Julie (Lucy Owen).

There are some funny moments like her friends with pictures of a dog. There are poignant moments. There are tough moments. There are awkward moments. It all adds up to an uneven movie. Juliette Lewis is terrific transitioning between the emotional turmoils. I wish this was something simply with Kelly & Cal starting a band. The filmmaker seems intent on going for a higher degree of difficulty and don't quite make it.

A Real Lesson For A Mature Woman

[ugisup · 7/10 · 13 September 2014]

"Kelly and Cal" is mature-exploration drama with satire comedy and forbidden-and-hidden romance. First question, is this family genre like being noted in many film website? Definitely, not! In first 15 minutes, this film has promising opening, In the middle, when relationship between the older woman (Kelly) and the younger man (Cal) starts weaving, please, It almost disgust me, but thank God, in last 30 minutes it turns out to be it should be. This film has a good and authentic message for you, a new-turned mother, to keep behave. And in this film, it's a real show. But it wouldn't be good if Juliette Lewis and Jonny Weston didn't do their best in this movie.

Bitersweet, lighly funny, simple and touchaing

[e-96997 · 3 February 2018]

An excellent "little" movie. The story of a friendship between a new mother and a young neighbor in a wheelchair. The trailer gives a much brighter image than it actually is. And it's better than the trailer. It gives a bittersweet atmosphere all along that takes guts. A film that speaks to young parents, first love, the passing of time, the mourning to do. Simple and touching.

Enjoyed It

[dirtybert-38987 · 7/10 · 12 March 2023]

I liked the movie. Lewis does a fine job of bringing the post-baby struggles to life and Weston who is not actually a spinal cord injured person put in a strong performance that brought the post-injury fears and acting out to the screen. Still not sure why the movie companies don't actually hire disabled actors to play those roles but instead spend hours of training to get an able-bodied actor to fake it. There are people with disabilities who seek to act and often when they land a role there is acclaim heaped on them. There are certainly some gaps in the film but overall the girlfriend and I enjoyed it.

A Huge Letdown

[bloodclay · 4/10 · 11 September 2014]

"Kelly and Cal" is one of those movies that starts out in an amazing way. We get to know our main character, Kelly, who is fresh from having a baby only six weeks earlier with her husband and is feeling exhausted and overworked. In comes the hilarious, handicapped teenager living next door who serves as the antidote to all her problems. They have laughs, drink beer, and start to build a relationship that is more meaningful than anything either of them have had in a long time. But though it starts off well (maybe even excellent) it soon deteriorates in a slow decline that ends when the credits roll. And the disappointment wouldn't mean much if the film hadn't given you a taste of what it could've been, but unfortunately, it does.

Some of the best scenes at the beginning include the two of them bullshitting and having a great time talking about their problems, and nothing more than that. All either of them needs is a friend or simply just someone to talk to. But the movie turns into something it shouldn't be, something that's extremely cliché and never needed to happen, a romance.

Just like so many other films, we see them start to connect and their forbidden relationship ensues. She has a husband and a baby, he's under 18, I think you can see what's coming. And frankly, it doesn't work. It tries to become emotional, possibly pulling at your heartstrings, but by the time that happens you could care less. There's so many moments when I was cursing under my breath hoping that the movie wouldn't go down the road it does.

And what's even worse, the two leads are great together. Juliette Lewis (Kelly) and Jonny Weston (Cal) have so much potential that is wasted, and try their hardest to work with the been-there- done-that material, but even they can't save the film. It's a huge letdown, and one that stung.

KELLY & CAL is the kind of movie that stays with you long after you've seen it

[jennywaldo · 9/10 · 13 September 2014]

KELLY & CAL is the kind of movie that stays with you long after you've seen it. Perfect casting of Juliette Lewis who's real-life rock 'n roll youth only strengthens the very raw, honest, and real identity crisis that comes with first-time motherhood. Unfortunately, I have lived this moment in life myself and Juliette plays it with the same "what-the-hell-just-happened" look on her face that I must have had. But Jonny Weston's performance of Cal stole the movie for me. I felt as shocked and moved by his character as Juliette Lewis's Kelly. He was charismatic and heartbreaking. This movie is so smartly written by Amy Lowe Starbin. The characters so true to their place in life. For example, Cal's cynicism might seem older than his years at times, but his youthful judgment and actions remind us he is still a teenager. The movie as a whole is a near perfect synergy of writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and sound design. The side characters have depth and range that defies their limited time on screen. And while it's been a festival favorite, it is not the type of indie movie that leaves you feeling uncomfortable or weirded out, or mentally exhausted. It's the type of movie I dream of, one that reflects real life and leaves me with a bit of hope.

buzz kill

[sugarfreepeppermint · 4/10 · 9 January 2015]

Juliette Lewis pretends to be a hipster rebel for 1 minute and a half, makes a cute wheel chair bound teenage guy next door fall in love with her whiny persona, reveals herself as a Courtney Love rock chick from the 90s, but then rapidly turns back into a Stepford wife.

This film is so wrong on so many levels. It teaches women that it's better to stay in a comatose marriage where the love has faded, where one's true personality has disappeared, where the in laws are uptight suburban psychopaths always intruding into your life, and that you have to become a snivelling wreck crying and begging your husband for forgiveness, because you managed to escape from that hell for a while and actually felt the magic of life and love again with a teenage guy who is being discounted because of his young age. What a rebel? Not!

Maybe too real for some?

[PhilPDX · 9/10 · 30 July 2016]

This is a refreshingly realistic look at what usually happens when people make poor decisions and then slowly come to grips with the choices they've made and the consequences of those decisions. What I found most refreshing was the messy, complicated, unresolved ending. And for once - spoiler alert - the married couple actually stays together and decides to try harder and not give up on the relationship. My only quibble is that after a lot of heartache they do seem to own up to their mistakes fully and completely after only one brief conversation. In that sense I suppose the ending, while not wrapped neatly into a bow, is a bit Pollyanna-ish. Still, this movie is about the journey, which you fully experience with rich, real characters bought to life by a strong cast from top to bottom, including a strong showing by Cybil Shepherd in a supporting role. The three leads are superb as well, esp. Juliette Lewis. 9/10

Real Soho Style Drama!

[unpaid_movie_critic · 3/10 · 16 October 2015]

Ugh.... so tired from this "SOHO STYLE DRAMA", where all conception, ideas and actions around music (which is mostly rock, punk rock,etc.), somebody who is different from whole of the world (loser, disabled person, unlucky or simpler lost person) and for sure with deep thoughts, and meaning.

In my opinion, since we (as a human being) have movie "Once" (2006) which is sort of origin of this kind of movies and "Begin Again" (2013) which is good movie that kind of intervene a new style of music, clothing and way of living is enough. I understand that people who like "Song One" (2014), "Lords of Dogtown" (2005), "School of Rock" (2003) and "Trainspotting" (1996) will or would consider me as snobbish movie buff, but honestly, don't you think that it's time to create a good movie. That based on something, has some meaning and will be useful for our future generation and can be a heritage for them!?!

Watched for Juliette Lewis

[mspatari · 4/10 · 10 May 2022]

I was absolutely cringing the entire time. The screaming baby, the doormat Lewis plays, drinking and making out with a minor, vandalizing the high school in which the cops show up but they're not arrested...Sigh. I wanted to see her as the bad ass she usually plays. This was NOT it. I wanted to see her push back against those awful in-laws esp when SIl asked her what's wrong with her, and all she says is 'I don't know.' Ask SIl what hell is wrong with her!! She proceeds to strip for Cal after he rips her in pieces?! Seriously?? Cal's mom would have called the cops on her as well after he flips out telling the truth at the art show. Still convinced hubby was having an affair.

A Beautiful Unlikely Friendship

[charred2013 · 8/10 · 16 September 2014]

Kelly a former punk rocker turned wife and mother is living in the burbs with a hunky husband Josh (Josh Hopkins) in their beautiful home and she is absolutely miserable. The baby cries all the time, she feels that her husband spends way too much time away from home. Josh is always working late. Kelly feels since the birth of their son, that Josh doesn't find her sexy anymore. She misses intimacy with her husband and definitely misses sex.

Cal (Jonny Weston) is a teenager who lives down the street from Kelly and Josh. His life was altered after an accident left him with a spinal injury thus putting him into a wheelchair. He is angry and fed up with his circumstances.

Kelly meets Cal while she is taking a cigarette break in her yard. Her son can be heard screaming from upstairs as she struggles to light her cigarette and find a moment of peace. Cal is on the other side of the fence and the two strike up a conversation. He notices the baby screaming and after a brief talk leaves at which time Kelly stands up and sees the teenager rolling away in the wheelchair. Later, she shares the moment with her husband and feels remorse at her tone with the handicapped teen.

At the suggestion of her husband to get out and walk the baby, Kelly does and once again finds herself seeing Cal. The two become friends. They confide in each other and Cal is a very receptive young guy and he sees things about Kelly that she doesn't and before he can stop it, Cal develops a crush on the older woman.

Kelly may be blind to some of her own issues, but she too is tuned in and she zeroes in on Cal and his unfortunate situation. She doesn't treat him or see him as others and being with Cal makes her feel young again. She knows their friendship is odd, but she can't help but want to continue.

Juliette Lewis was amazing. Her character is like that of millions of new mothers after the birth of their child feels less desirable and ignored. Kelly was lonely and felt like she was missing out on something. Her mother-in-law Bev (Cybil Shepherd) suggested a night out with her girl-friends.

Juliette Lewis gives a fantastic performance as Kelly. She wore her emotions on her face and I kept thinking that Kelly's husband must be plain stupid not to see that she was clearly in distress. It was all over her face and body language. Juliette's character went from melancholia, frustration, happy back to feeling dejected and worthless. Her self esteem was zilch and it showed.

Juliette Lewis has come a long way since my seeing her on the television show The Facts of Life. Her performance in Kelly & Cal was award winning. Juliette has been working on a comeback and if this is any indication of what she is capable of showing, I would say she is definitely back!

Josh Hopkins was totally convincing with his performance as Josh. He was oblivious to the wants and needs of his wife. He couldn't say or do anything to make her happy. He tried enlisting his mother and sister Julie (Lucy Owen) to help snap his wife out of her depression. In truth, it only made it worse, because Kelly felt on guard and she saw the two women as meddlesome. Things didn't finally dawn on Josh until something happened that threw the situation and Kelly and Cal's friendship in his face.

Cybil Shepherd as the concerned mother-in-law was good. She cooked/baked, showered her daughter-in-law with attention and suggestions to help make her see that she was needed to take care of her baby, husband and herself. In one scene Cybil's character arranged for a makeover with a personal shopper who came to Kelly's house. Cybil was ecstatic with the gesture and Juliette Lewis's Kelly was mortified. Funny scene.

Lucy Owen owned her role as Julie the nosy/meddlesome/jealous sister- in-law. Whenever she talked to Kelly it was with condescension and her words were laced with jealousy. Julie couldn't understand why Kelly was depressed. She had it all in her assumption and Kelly was seen as being difficult when she should have been happy.

Jonny Weston as Cal was perfectly casted. He was charming as well as insanely sarcastic. His character was living from the confines of a wheelchair and he was angry. However, after meeting Kelly, he stopped taking his anti-depressant medication and he was enjoying getting to know her and revisit her heydays of when she was in a band. The boy admired her spirit and over the course of their time spent together, that same free spirit was rubbing off on Cal.

Jonny breathed life into the character and to be perfectly honest, I can't imagine watching anyone else doing that. He has a way of drawing the viewer in and holding them in suspension as he tells a story with his acting. Watching Jonny as Cal was like watching him in Chasing Mavericks when he played Jay Moriarity. He is a splendid young actor.

A friendship that seems like a good idea at the time leads to some major heartache for both Kelly and Cal and affects Kelly's marriage. Lessons are learned but come with consequences. Kelly & Cal is an awesome movie. I laughed and cheered and wept while watching this film. And if asked, would I recommend it, I would scream...YES!

LOVE LOVE This Movie!...

[MovieHoliks · 8/10 · 16 July 2015]

I just saw this off Showtime, and LOVE LOVE this movie! Juliette Lewis is very sexy in this, letting her age show for the first time on film. She plays a former lead singer of an all-female punk rock group now taking up life in the suburbs as a new mom and wife. Josh Hopkins ("CougarTown") plays her hubbie who is stuck at the office all day, leaving her to start hanging out with the next door high school wheelchair-bound teen, played excellently by newcomer Jonny Weston.

Their relationship starts to evolve into something more as events happen, and wow!- there are some scenes in this that blew my mind! This film is sorta the reverse of all those May-December romances between an older leading man and younger actress there have been over the years- "Lost In Translation", "My First Mister", "ShopGirl", etc.. Big thumbs up for this one!.......

what a gem - a must see!

[vanparise · 10/10 · 22 March 2017]

I loved this film!! It's poignant, raw, and so engaging. Performances across the board completely believable, truthful & deep. I didn't want it to end. Juliette Lewis is always interesting and here she is phenomenal, with every moment full and electric. The rest of the cast is also great. Jonny Weston, Josh Hopkins and Cybill Shepherd. So much fun to watch their shades of gray. And beautifully shot to make us feel like we're inhabiting this world. Masterfully directed by Jen McGowan. A must see!