Life Happens

Molly is a 42 year old actress who earns her living doing voice-overs for commercials. Aside from her pet macaw Shakespeare, her soulmate and "best friend forever" is Larry. Molly is depressed and anxious over her upcoming birthday, feeling that none of her life's plans and hopes have worked out, while laid back Larry counsels that "birthdays were invented by Hallmark to make people spend money." After a lunch date with Larry, Molly is devastated to hear that he has--ahem--been run over by a truck. After enduring a ghastly memorial service, losing some advertising jobs, having her car stolen, and reconciling herself to the idea that "life happens," Molly advises the feathered Shakespeare "to be--that is the answer." Produced by the American Film Institute and written and directed by Timothy Blake, Life Happens features some choice satiric barbs aimed at the Southern California lifestyle, feng shui, video wills, and Generation Xers. Too, Belinda Montgomery delivers an outstanding performance as Molly. However, the brief video seems like a dramatic sketch awaiting future expansion to feature film length. An optional purchase for public libraries and college drama collections. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)