This film was not perfect. Neither was yours. It was, however, tender and enlightening if viewers would allow themselves to really see the story being told. The film was "all over the place" and the protagonist, that's the main character to you and me, was "gratingly child-like" as some professional critics have said because that's what your life is like when you have lost yourself and your heart aches and you wonder if you will ever be o.k. That's it. The acting doesn't have to be great, the story is. This movie will touch you and give you hope if you just let it. I think more people would be more adjusted if they let themselves go to the brink of existence, go a little crazy and open their eyes to who they can become.

Advertised as a black comedy, and that's all, "Rid of Me" suggests that there is an event or plot twist that should not be revealed. And indeed it does open with an obscene, aberrant action which most people have the little bit of self-restraint required to never perform such an act. Following that opening sequence, the film reveals two subtle twists which show how unique and independent this is.After the first scene, our sympathies are forced to suddenly and dramatically shift. That's because they make you realize that we all make character judgements before we even get to know the character. I thought that was very brilliant and kept me watching. Secondly, Meris (Katie O'Grady) is like a normal person and has experienced the same sort of life events that others have. What makes this unique is that we see her thought processes as she tries to balance what has happened with what is "fair" — you know, that pesky thing that kids are taught what life is.Meris suffers from depression. She tries to be happy, she tries to make friends, but that's hard especially for someone who suffers from depression. "Rid of Me" is a character study fused with dark comedy elements. With everything that she goes through, life finds a way of getting worse for her. But the film managed this by interspersing comic relief with the depression, but also finding new actions and new consequences for her to experience.The production design is bleak, but that fits with the bleakness of Meris' situation and the low budget they had to work with. I was so intrigued by where they were going with Meris' character that I wasn't distracted by any of the off-putting elements of the film. I'm usually not a fan of jumpy filming and editing, and while I still didn't like it here, at least they used it in relevant places. Some of the supporting acting was weak and lessened the impact of at least one scene in particular.But this film is not about the supporting actors or characters. This film is about Meris and Katie O'Grady. To me the character of Meris was a revelation —that's how you write depressing character studies. And O'Grady put her all into this character. I loved how you could see Meris change and stay true to herself all at the same time within her eyes.Some people probably aren't willing to have someone like Meris as a movie heroine, but it was one of the first times I could connect to a depressed woman and have hope for realistic optimism. "Rid of Me" is minimal, bleak and off-putting, but it's also a unique, original dark comedy character study.

Okay, so here it comes in all its stupid glory, from the master filmmaker's own blow-hard announcement: "here is the epic behind-the-scenes video of RID OF ME, which comes out this March on DVD". Well we can't wait. Now maybe we'll get a mini-masterclass glimpse into why this absolute "dog of movie", to coin the words of a responsible critic, is as woefully awful as it is. Rid of Me, together with the inanely amateur films of Todd E. Freeman, (where do they get the money for all this junk?) are all that Portland has to offer? We think not. Absolutely in love with Portland, Oregon, but not her filmmakers. But then I'm not alone judging by the reviews. Okay, maybe I just want my money back from the Living Room Theater for being duped into buying a ticket.

I loved this movie. The movie starts with a scene that is so gross and disgusting… you immediately feel sympathy for the "victim" and wonder how someone could be so horrible to another human being. But then you are taken back to the beginning… way before the previous scene… to a time when everything was going well. It doesn't take long before you begin to like Maris and your feelings get all twisted inside. Who hasn't met the family or friends of a loved one and wonder if you could ever fit in… if they will like you? The music in this movie puts you on the edge of your seat, bracing you for the worst. You begin to realize that you are sympathizing for Maris and not her "victim." You are cheering for Maris. This movie plays on every emotion. Katie O'Grady is wonderful and James Westby has truly created some interesting characters and a great film.