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Cast: Kim Cattrall, Dustin Ingram, Brian Dennehy, Keith David
Awkward teenager Tobe (Dustin Ingram) sets off on a road trip to meet Monica Velour (Cattrall), his favorite 80s porn star, at a rare live appearance hundreds of miles away. Instead of the glamorous sexpot portrayed on film, he finds a 49-year-old single mom living in a trailer in rural Indiana, performing at seedy strip clubs to make ends meet. But the starry-eyed Tobe, still captivated by his crush, befriends Monica, further complicating her difficult life.
Tobe isn't your average Teenager, he likes music from the 1920's and he is also very fond of former porn star, Monica Velour. He runs the family business which is driving an ice cream truck around and he lives with his grandfather. After he is given the truck as a birthday gift he immediately decides he wants to sell it and after putting up with one too many of his grandfather's insults he decides to take the truck on road trip to do just that and on his way stop at a strip club the former porn star is working at in hopes of meeting her. When Tobe decides to stick up for Monica after a few punks in the club begin heckling her he gets beat up and in the process Monica gets fired as well. When She has no way home she decides to tell the paramedics the she is Tobe's mom in order to use his car to get home. So begins the story of two lost souls, one a young man who is on his way up in life and the other is a woman whose life peaked years ago and is heading down this is a chance encounter that will change both their lives forever.
I suppose you can make comparisons to other movies like "Napolean Dynamite" but this film brings it's own unique ideas and characters to the table. The film is touching at times, the whole idea of a woman struggling to get her life back well also fighting to regain custody of her child is both touching and sad but the film also has some very funny moments as well and together they create a nice mixture that makes for an original and very entertaining coming of age film. The cast is another reason to fall in love with the film, Kim Cattrall is terrific as the burnt out porn star and Dustin Ingram stands toe to toe with her as far as performances go, together they are a joy to watch. Also it is noteworthy to mention the performance from Brian Dennehy who is fantastic as the grandfather and Keith David who has a small but important role as the man interested in buying the ice cream truck but also has some words of wisdom for Tobe.
"Meet Monica Velour" is a quirky little dramedy that succeeds by telling a thought-provoking yet fun story. I can't sit here and say it is going to be for everyone but if you like these quirky little comedies then I highly recommend picking it up. It would be nice to see Kim Cattrall remembered for this role come award time, I have never seen her better. The film is available on DVD and Blu-ray and both will come with Special Features that include:
Audio Commentary with Kim Cattrall and writer/director Keith Bearden
Deleted Scenes
You can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray HERE.
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
**** Out Of *****