Personal Effects
Studio: Screen Media Films
Personal Effects was slated to be released late in 2009, but instead it went straight to DVD. The movie is so lean that there’s not much to chew on. It’s written by David Hollander and based upon the short story “Mansion on the Hill” by Rick Moody. The superb Kathy Bates plays Gloria, the mother of twins. One of the twins, Andrew (Ashton Kutcher), has put his wrestling career on hold to mourn his sister, who was brutally murdered. He seeks conviction and punishment for the murderer although he makes a livelihood dressing as a chicken for a restaurant. Andrew meets Linda (Michelle Pfeiffer) on a trial, whose husband was killed, and they grieve and love together. This isn’t compelling stuff, but the message is a strong one.
– forrest green III
