The story with Danova has a lot more zing to it; Wheaton doesn't have an especially likeable part to play, but that doesn't mean that he's not acting well. I was invited to see an early screening for this film in San Francisco; it was well received there, but then many in the audience had acted as extras in the film. Chris Farrell does a nice job with the music; but the title suggests too much of a comparison with the famous Hitchcock film -- which isn't apt; these are love stories or friendships, teenagers on the verge of adulthood. A good first effort, and given the difficulty factor of having a very low budget -- more credit is due to all involved. Melanie Lynsky, a tremendously gifted actress -- she did terrific work in the outstanding film "Heavenly Creatures -- is largely wasted here. She sacrificed, basically paid her way from New Zealand, just to be given another chance to act -- after having a complex and challenging role in one of the greatest films of the nineties, she hadn't received many offers. But the part Kines gave her is one of a wallflower, more or less. Yelena Danova was new to me; yet she appeared to be the brightest light in either section. Lynsky could well have the potential to be another Bette Davis type star; but she'll need more imaginative or experienced directors to work with for this to happen. Or she may have to write her own scripts, like Katherine Hepburn did.
