Audience Member
Susan Traylor was nominated for Best Female Lead by the Independent Spirit Awards, which was not a small achievement for a film that never made it to theaters. She plays a widow burdened with guilt and grief over her husband's death. To avoid facing her feelings, she keeps herself busy by working as a checker, and by picking up random strangers at bars.
Director John Putch began his career as a child actor, the son of Jean Stapleton. His first screen appearance was playing a boy scout in "All in the Family", the series co-starring his mother as 'dingbat' Edith Bunker. From there, he had long runs on "One Day at a Time" as Bob Morton, and on "Family Ties" as Neil.
His acting career continues in bit roles, but his interests have turned to directing obscure independent and made for television films. Valerie Flake was more successful than most, having been shown at the Sundance film festival. However, the producers were unable to find a distributor. Unreleased on video or DVD, the movie can only be seen on the Sundance cable channel, which is where I discovered it while channel surfing.
With a budget of only $500,000, the film was shot on location in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Putch shows a straightforward style, choosing natural locations and camera angles, and favoring closeups to help convey emotions. As with American History X, black and white cinematography is used for flashbacks.
But the strength of the film comes from the script. First-time screenwriter Robert Tilem already knows the importance of developing character. We get to know Valerie as if she was a family member, perhaps a 'black sheep' sister about whom any story could not be discounted.
Valerie Flake is obscure enough that not a single newsgroup or external review has appeared on its imdb.com page. There are a few user comments, which express disappointment with the ending, and with the appearance of the female lead.
While she is well suited for Valerie's seemingly disaffected character, Susan Traylor will never be mistaken for Denise Richards. This is a problem for some people, who are so accustomed to seeing models playing female love interests that they have lost their appreciation for romance as it usually comes. Tim, eagerly played by Jay Underwood, loves Valerie for her spirit and potential. (Of course, it also helps that she enjoys sex and has a lanky frame.)
As for the ending, it is true that Valerie Flake does not deliver what audiences expect. They want a happy ending, such as a wedding with flower girls and pretty dresses. They want things to finish with a bang and not a whimper. But if Valerie Flake is about a relationship, that is how many of them end. Not with bitter arguments, but with the realization that it is time to move on. Valerie is not yet ready to raise children, which she knows that she will be expected to provide.
Tim's clinging mother is ably played by Christina Pickles. Her fears about Valerie prove correct. Not only does she hurt him, but embitters him. Tim will be a saint no longer.
If you see Valerie Flake, you might ask yourself why more films aren't like it. The answer is that there's no money in it. But while the preposterous stunts of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may fill theaters, it is good to know that some independent films are still being made that concentrate on character studies.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
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