Trust Me

I noticed about two dozen movies on PPV and chose to watch this one first. I had a good feeling about it. I was extremely impressed with the entire film...acting, direction, writing, production. It is most interesting and very low key. It is a very human film with lots of emotion. There are some trans personal or spiritual surprises. Clark Gregg is the star and he is one of my favorite actors. This film is one of his best or best performances. Mr. Gregg also wrote the film and directed it. I am sure the film was a labor of love for him. I also enjoyed the dramatization of Hollywood business deal making which is depicted in the movie and I thought really well. I would strongly recommend this movie to one and all. I was in tears at the end. Thank you Mr. Gregg. You were wonderful as the lead star and loved your whole concept plus the writing.

Even though the first scene in this telegraphs the ending, you are so caught up in the story that you're still shocked when it happens. Sure the production value is low budget, but this film had to get made and when you watch it, you're so caught up, you completely forget that...and that is rare, rarer still since I work as a Production Designer and never fully get to enjoy films cause I'm too aware of the budgetary obviousness in the sets. That said, this story catapulted me out of the craft and gave me a cinematic experience to rival the best. Clark Gregg excelled in this on all fronts, from his pacing, to the writing to his acting. Excuse me for ever considering him just a character actor. I hope for all of us, that he pursues his writing and directing career. I honestly believe he can add what is sorely missing from American Cinema...story telling. Please watch this.

This movie is very original and interesting. It tells the story of Howard, an agent for child actors who was himself a young child actor who, however, failed to achieve great fame. When he meets Lydia, a very talented young actress, he thinks he has found a possible turning point in his career. Without revealing too much of the plot, the movie begins as a comedy where Howard is a loser with a good heart, who courts for months his beautiful neighbor who even notices it. But going forward the film is colored with a dramatic and noir vein, ending with a dreamy touch. Clark Gregg proves to be a great director and screenwriter but, even more, a great actor. Definitely a movie to watch.

For a second, I thought Lydia was Lindsay Lohan, after she smoked and talked to Howard. I think Saxon Sharbino is a rising young star. I don't usually write review because I have to write more lines than I want to. Sam Rockwell, who plays Aldo, is also the executive producer of this film. I like him in the movie the Way Way Back. I actually predicted the final twist of the movie, because Clark Gregg would not write the movie to end in a dull way. I love Amanda Peet as usual. I am surprised that until now no other reviews wrote that Lydia did look like Lindsay for the final scene. I wonder if Howard makes it in the end, and that will keep you guessing.

'Trust Me' wasn't at all what I was expecting at first but I was definitely not disappointed. Since watching it, I have recommended to friends who have also liked it. We've also enjoyed discussing the various themes presented. It's interesting how many of those themes overlap from the movie to real life and into other situations. I always enjoy a movie that makes me think. Most of the actors are familiar faces; well-known from both TV and movies yet that did not distract from the story in the least. The young actress, Saxon Sharbino, is really good. I had never seen her in other roles but she nailed it. I hope she'll have a bright future in the business. What most impressed me is how Clark Gregg not only starred in but also wrote and directed this movie. I liked his many references to past actors and shows too. Getting movies made is not easy so I really appreciate actors who push to get their movies made and are willing to take small roles in lower- budget movies. It give us more options. Big budget blockbusters can be fun at times but they're often too formulaic, which I find boring. Some rely heavily on fillers like car chases, explosions, violence, sex scenes, and special effects. All of those things are fine but, I feel, they should support a really good, well-written story.

This movie has a great payoff. The story is told well, these actors are all fantastic, but it is truly Clark Gregg and that girl from Touch Saxon Sharbino who make this movie as human, and touching as it is. The plot is not all that original, and there are no real surprises, this movie is all in the fine acting, and the look at life for people just about to be thrust into the spotlight. I Enjoyed this movie, and Saxon Sharbino is really good at playing who ever she is with which ever group of people she is around. If you like old Hollywood movies you will know this story well, but you will like the new players, and how they tell it. If this is a new story for you it will feel fresh, and keep you guessing.

The movie is very lack of comedy for a movie considered as a comedy. But you can't say it's a bad movie, the storytelling was good... Until the end. The ending was very unexpected but not in a good way. Film couldn't pull it off an ending like that and it ruined the movie for me. To end a movie like that, they should have gone a different direction for the whole movie. Because it didn't fit. It was a little too dark. Clark Gregg and Amanda Peet was good though. You can say the casting is well. Nobody seemed like that they don't belong there. I guess you can watch the movie without high expectations. And without expecting a comedy of course.

Along with the obscure gem "The TV set", this movie "Trust Me" is one of my favorites for blowing the lid off the sleazy cut-throat industry that cranks out what we're all here for: movies. It does it in an entertaining way, both darkly comedic as well as suspensefully dramatic. And ultimately it depicts the powerful & eternal struggle between honesty and success (which applies no matter what career we're talking about). As other reviewers have said, don't just expect a comedy although the wacky title and DVD description may lead you to believe it. Instead this is a powerful story with a lot of heart. It does have some really funny moments particularly in the beginning, but as the tangled web gets woven, the film appropriately shifts to a more serious tone, almost like a thriller or crime drama at times. Writer-director-star Clark Gregg knocks it outta the park on all levels. He plays the quintessential good guy in a sea of scum (such as the awesomely detestable Sam Rockwell playing his arch-nemesis, a rival agent). All his life he seems to be the personification of "nice guys finish last". But then he meets up with his one big shot: a talented unknown actress played by Saxon Sharbino (herself a fresh new face). But things soon get crazy, and I'm not just talking about the sleazy Hollywood types. The story takes an unexpected twist which really puts our hero to the test regarding how far he should go to protect the young girl who has put all her faith in him. Some surreal dream-like moments (such as maybe a vampire scene?) and nice cinematography add tremendous personality to this flick. The script is excellent, especially with the witty, fast-paced banter between Gregg and Amanda Peet. And be on the lookout for some great bit roles by William H Macy (the creepy Audi salesman), Molly Shannon (the "milf") and the aforementioned Sam Rockwell. I highly recommend this film to anyone who is considering getting into, or who is currently in, the entertainment business whether it's acting, writing, singing or heck even professional athletes & artists whose careers are potentially shaped (mutilated?) by those slick suits we know too well. Similarly-themed and similarly-vibed films include "Circus Maximus" about a writer who has 1 weekend to write a blockbuster film, "The TV Set" about a writer whose honest idea is slowly getting corrupted into a Hollywood abomination, and of course the big one "Jerry Maguire" about a sports agent's last shot at the big time. Alongside "Trust Me" these are all great flicks that might just change your approach to career & life. Vampire fangs are optional.

All the way up till the last 5 minutes I liked this film quite a bit. There's not much to find wrong with it. The performances are pretty good especially from Clark Gregg which not only is the star of the film but also writes and directs. Gregg plays a struggling agent that finds possible career success in a talented young actress. He races against time to sign her to a big 3 picture deal while dealing with her alcoholic father & another shady agent who unlike Gregg's character is a shark with no morals. The story has just the right amount of comedy & Drama & is also touching at times. So why then did I rate this a 6 & not a 7 or higher? The ending. It tries to be Film Noir but just doesn't make any sense which is a shame because it has a lot going for it but if the ending doesn't work the whole film hurts because of it.

I am willing to go out on a limb for this movie as I believe it to be grand cinema from start to finish! What a pleasure to see such a totally unique story brought to us by indie producers. This is a superb story, told wonderfully. It's not totally original but the casting, editing, dialog, and acting are top notch and what else do you look for in a really good movie. Our leading man, Howard, has an ethical and moral conscience in an industry that puts only 'showtime value' on these human ideals. Howard suffers because he cares and his fellow talent agent competitors do not care about their clients. Image and success is their only goal. Howard gets his 'big time chance' with Lydia, what he fails to see is that she is already way ahead of him in this competitive industry. Is Howard's world a flight of fantasy or too spiritual for the real world? Catch the answer at the end of this wonderful film.