I saw the full length version of Ellie Parker, not the Short. I wish I'd seen the Short! The first thing I thought/commented about this film was that it didn't seem finished. It was filmed in a very amateurish way; hand-held, digital, possibly on someone's phone, lots of background interference/noise. Sound quality and picture quality were poor. Clearly very low budget, to the point that it was almost embarrassing to watch, like you were watching something you shouldn't be, but on the plus side that did make it more personal watching the titular character (Watts) intimately. But it was painful viewing; warts and all with intrusive camera shots, where you thought you should be looking away. The Direction and editing were odd, and the style of the film changed in bits throughout, which also didn't make any sense, it looked like home videos filmed by different people, mashed together. If it was a college kid's exam piece it would have been quite brilliant. The only scene which was in any way poignant was part (not all of it) of a scene with Ellie at the Therapist's rooms… her monologue about not feeling like her life had begun yet and she was still practicing etc. That was deep and profound, for a few minutes.I get that it was a fly on the wall look at the inner workings and ridiculousness, angst and awfulness of trying to make it in LA, I really do get that. I can see that as a show reel for Naomi Watts, the chameleon actress playing the part of a chameleon actress, schlepping across LA to her auditions, it was pretty impressive. However, as a film, it was terrible. I get what it was trying to do, but it was the wrong kind of pretentious, self-indulgent film-making that actually has no substance. Perhaps that is a commentary on the Hollywood machine, right there. Arty types might see nuances and double meanings, like the scene in the art gallery; the art is supposed to mean something really profound but actually it's just ridiculous, but it's not good enough to carry that sort of commentary. You've got to still sit through it.None of the characters were likable, or even had much presence. Jennifer Syme was sweet and natural and had one of the two laughs in the film (slipping on the blue stuff), and it was nice to see her; she seemed to be the only real person really but even she didn't rate a named role! May she rest in peace. Chevy Chase was quite likable and vaguely amusing in his small role.I watched the film as one of Keanu Reeves' back catalogue, and I wonder why on earth he signed on for it; perhaps because of Syme's involvement. Perhaps on paper it was interesting, somehow though, it turned out to be not very original. And messy. Reeves' role was as himself at a Dogstar gig, the footage of which looked superimposed into the film from elsewhere, YouTube or a newsreel. That whole scene was really awkward and fuzzy. I like Dogstar's music but it didn't sound good in this film.There were a few scenes which I just wanted to look away from, Naomi on the loo was one of them, and it was often just that feeling of dread waiting for something horrible to happen. It does make me make me realise how vulnerable jobbing actresses are, and how awful it must be to try to make it – especially in light of recent scandals in the business (Weinstein etc).There was a very brief laugh involving Ellie in the southern belle dress, waiting for her audition in the hotel, but I really wouldn't call this a comedy. That whole audition scene I was thinking "something awful is going to happen," again, a bit like the creeping impending doom of Reeves' Generation Um…? where you're on the edge of your seat for all the wrong reasons.I had no idea what to expect watching Ellie Parker, but overall I can attest that it was not an enjoyable film; I went into it believing it was a comedy, back when I was naïve and the world was still colourful, but I would go so far as to say it was boring and whilst watching it I was just waiting for something to happen and/or it to end. I feel a little jaded by it. I feel it was a waste of time. Perhaps all of that, though, is part of the dialogue of the film. How you are supposed to feel, before as a glittering Hollywood star rises from those ashes. I have no idea. It would explain why some stars are so protective of their position if they've been through all that, but all of us who strive towards something can perhaps relate in some small way to Ellie's travails. Maybe not.I gave this 2/10 as it was so awful, but Naomi's performance and versatility in the film, and her bravery, despite my not liking anything about her character, was actually pretty good. If you are a fan of Naomi Watts you will see her in all kinds of guises here. Dogstar get a point, just because, so 3/10.

A movie doesn't need to be full of action, shooting, love, to be expensive, to be a block buster,..., though I don't like a 'French' school, when two people have enough time and money to be in a single room and make problems to each other. I call t movies 'slow' and 'problematic' without any obvious reason. You see people who are egoistic and bored.A movie can be an extended monologue, if it is totally authentic. If treats tome subject, the live itself as it really is. From the beginning, this movie has a type of wide frame, it is so 'alive', so direct. You see the life without any additional make up, fancy details, you see the life as it is: full of struggle and disappointment, it is the organic part of life, the other moments are happy. The leading character wants to succeed in the world of movie, but it is a hard job, we are the witnesses of dying of her dream and we can see how their life collapse in any aspect, including her love life.People like an ordinary movie, which talk about THEM, about disappointments, hard times, pointless living..., they can relate to it.But, this kind of movies must have some ending, the message. An acceptance or the words of wisdom. This movie has none. Trainspotting, for instance, is pretty entertaining, but generally says how life stinks, whatever we try. The guy is a drug addict, then he tries to work honestly, but his 'past' (his friends) drag them back. But, he finds the solution, he takes the money and go to make an ordinary, but nice, normal life. He had enough strength to go out and live as the other people.Here..., it is nothing but a desperation. Life sucks and that is it. Nothing has learned, grasped, understood, we can't see how the leading actress even she has found the peace..., she is like a white wall, without any feeling,..., this movie says nothing to us. A nice start, which continues through the whole movie..., then..., no messages. Nothing. We can't see that her giving up of the acting really freed her as she says, because the last scene is the opposite: she tries to fulfill her dream, she goes to the last audition, she tries to reach her dream to the last scene. To repeat myself: when the movie is talking about the emptiness of the life, some message must be conveyed. To give up some dreams must be deeply felt and understood, accepted, it must give some additional quality to our lives. To fail, that is not an end. When the house is burned, a Chinese saying says: "Nice, we can see the Moon now, there is no obstacles." This movie is just a pointless struggle which leads to nowhere. It can't entertain, to teach, to say something wise, it is just a half-finished story about the life as it really is, no guaranties, but the final touch.... is a big biiiiiiiiiiiiip...., the movie died before any finish touch. It doesn't need to be a happy end. Just a movie with the proper ending. I gave 4 stars for the realistic picture of the life, but the rest..., is like an unfinished painting.

Well, ...(I am rather hesitant to say this)....but, I suspect that this film's audience are people who are already in some way connected to the business. (Of making films, that is). (It seems to me that the humour is mainly intended for them).-0-However, I also want to stress that I did find Naomi Watts' performance outstanding!Up until now, (as far as I am concerned), Naomi Watts has been, basically, "a pretty face". (And a very pretty face it is)! ;-) But in this film she really showed that she is really and truly an *actress*! (And a very fine actress, actually)! -I was impressed!Karl Barkarson,-from Iceland

As much as I like Naomi, I found extremely hard to follow this movie. It seemed to be filmed with a video camera you buy from your favorite electronics store and it followed Naomi's character relentlessly, with jerky movements, from all her endeavors to become an actress to more private moments such as being in the bathroom. I am not too sure if the director tried to give the movie an air of reality show, but the camera didn't give any space and the screen seemed to be suffocating. This movie looks like a movie made by a kid who just got his camera as a birthday present, takes the camera, strolls in the city and films anything that moves with the pretentious claim that it is worth. Well, after half an hour I couldn't stand it anymore. So, save your money...