Review of Elena Undone (2010) by Janet L — 02 Dec 2011

Elena Undone is by far, the best lesbian movie I've ever seen. The chemistry between the two women is palpable, the script is well written and believable, and the acting is wonderful by the two leading actresses as well as the supporting cast.

Traci Dinwiddie (Peyton) especially stands out when she is preparing to share her feelings with her up-til-then platonic friend. Her discomfort yet innocent naivety was delightful. She conveys with one raised eyebrow or sigh her embarrassed, self consciousness.

There were two other scenes where she took my breath away: in the short love scene when her lover, (Elena) Necar Zadegan, asserts herself sexually and Peyton is forced to face her own control issues and vulnerability ; and in the swimming pool when her pain overwhelms her after their breakup.

Peyton's pain becomes your pain as she disappears sobbing underneath the shimmering water. I actually regard The Longest Kiss as the first love scene in Elena Undone. The energy and determination with which Elena bursts into the room would cause any heart to race and the poignant dialogue between kisses rang so true that it only added to the passion between the two women.

Necar Zadegan is truly enchanting as she wrestles with her new found reality of finding herself in love with a woman. She owns the screen in the morning-after breakfast scene and the scene in the park when her dreams begin to crumble as Peyton emotionally steps back and pushes her away.

Two other actresses deserve special mention: Mary Wells as Wave, Peyton's best friend, was fabulous! She's a best friend everyone would want. And Sabrina Fuster as Tori was simply charming. I predict she has a very bright future.

They both made the dialogue even better than it was through sterling performances.One final mention...the music by Jennifer Corday is remarkable. Corday is best known for her rock n roll yet in Elena Undone she excels in pulling our heartstrings and telling the story through her lyrics.

She has outdone even herself!In closing, I don't know how Nicole Conn does it. A great script is the key and this was indeed a wonderful, reality based script. The movie just gets better and better.

It's important to note too that Nicole Conn has given us more than just a lesbian movie. It's a movie about relationships and an affirmation that if we pay close attention and truly show up in our lives, then our chances of finding love is better than we think.

Janet Liss.