Getting to Know You is an unusual film in several ways. The story takes place primarily in a bus station, with flashbacks to earlier times in the characters lives. Reality and the stories told - and even dreamed up - are alternately sad, fascinating, moving. But mostly sad. This is a story-within-a-story type of film.

Lisanne Skyler directed and wrote the screenplay, which is based on stories by Joyce Carol Oates. Trix (Bebe Neuwirth) and Darrell (Mark Blum) are repulsive as the self-centered, egotistical, unloving parents of Judith (Heather Matarazzo) and Wesley (Zach Braff), who find themselves basically abandoned in their teen years.

This film is an interesting first feature for Skyler that was Official Selection at Sundance and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. She obviously has a great potential and we look forward to seeing what direction she takes with her next feature film.

A quick glance at available videos and DVDs shows that this film is difficult to find, which is a little unusual considering it had a fairly substantial video release.

Getting to Know You (1999, Search Party Films) (out of 4)
directed by Lisanne Skyler
written by Lisanne Skyler and Tristine Skyler based on stories by Joyce Carol Oates
produced by Laura Gabbert and George Lavoo
Heather Matarazzo as Judith
Zach Braff as Wesley
Michael Weston as Jimmy
Bebe Neuwirth as Trix
Mark Blum as Darrell
Bo Hopkins as Officer Caminetto
Tristine Skyler as Irene
Sonja Sohn as Lynn
Chris Noth as Sonny

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