Living Large With Miss Finesse

Ben Hinkernell on the set of his movie, “Lebanon, PA”. Photo courtesy of Ben Hinkernell

Lebanon, PA tells the story of Will (played by charmingly handsome Josh Hopkins), a slick yet awkward advertising agent. Our protagonist is having a less than stellar day; his father dies and his girlfriend walks out on him. He numbly leaves Philadelphia to go to rural Lebanon, PA to tidy up his estranged father’s affairs.    

At the funeral, Will’s relationship with his dad is summed up in a short yet touching scene.  While waiting in line to use the restroom, a stranger asks Will, “Did you know him well?” to which he responds, “Not really.”  Will stays in Lebanon to sort things out, much to his ice-cold mother’s chagrin.

A bond is formed with Will’s distant relatives.  CJ (Rachel Kitson) gives us a notable performance as the knocked-up 17-year-old who confides her womanly woes to Will.   It’s hard to believe that Kitson is a new-comer to the big screen…she delivers like a pro. 

Much of the storyline revolves around CJ’s conflict with her friends and family (particularly her dad, played by veteran actor Ian Peakes).  They inflict their right wing, pro-life Christian values on CJ and try to guilt her into keeping her baby and giving up her dreams of going off to college.  CJ has other plans. The big conflict in this movie for all the characters is carrying on after the loss of life.

On his journey to find himself, Will makes a pit stop for a steamy affair with Vicki (Samantha Mathis), a married school teacher.  Sparks fly between the two and an honest and genuine on-screen affair ensues…and then fizzles out.  In the end, Will decides to sell the house and go back to Philadelphia after he realizes that is where he belongs. He also realizes his mother has been the constant in his life.  Upon receiving the news of Will’s return, his mother thaws out and reveals a mature character with surprising vulnerability and depth.

Mary Beth Hurt in the role of Will’s mother is fantastically fabulous. In her short screen appearance, Hurt mesmerizes us and draws us into her fragile world.

As a filmmaker, Hinkernell does not preach through his characters; he allows the audience to draw their own conclusions on controversial issues.  Each character clearly owns their personal opinions and issues. Professionally executed, the brilliant cinematography lends no clue to Lebanon, PA as being a low budget indie. 

Lebanon, PA is playing at the Cosford Cinema in Miami, FL  May 27, 28 and 29^th.  To find out movie times and to get tickets, visit www.cosfordcinema.com .  To find out when the movie will be playing in a city near you, visit www.lebanonpamovie.com .  This diva gives this movie a 5 tiara rating!

I got a chance to chat with Ben Hinkernell who had some very insightful answers to my questions:

BEN

Thank you! And we’re excited to be opening in Miami. Really wish I could be there. Definitely Producer, especially on a film like ours with a tight budget. The director in me had grand ambitions – the producer in me had to be the realist and constantly find ways to work with very little. Not to mention, there is a lot of paperwork associated with making a movie.

BEN

I think it may have been if I hadn’t written it.  Since I wrote it, and “saw” the film at that stage in my mind’s eye, a lot of the editing process was trying to recapture that original vision. I also edit based on performance. There are many moments in the film where I picked the take that wasn’t technically the most perfect, but had the best performance – the strongest heartbeat. That’s what an audience latches on to – moments that feel real. Also, I had lots of friends look at the film and give notes. We cut about 30 minutes from rough cut to final cut, so I did get other opinions to counterbalance my own. 

BEN

Hard to say.  It is a fictional story and not autobiographical, but some of the elements are borrowed from my life.  I’ve lived in Philly the past fifteen years and I have ties to the Lebanon area, and have been visiting the town all my life.  I think, at its heart, the film explores some of the cultural divisions that split the country by zeroing in on how these divisions affect the lives of a few specific characters. It’s a story whose scope is small, but where the reach of the themes is wide.  And while I feel these divisions do certainly exist, they are often simplified or exaggerated in films, and so our goal was to be a bit more subtle and to give every character rounded edges and find the grey area and the common ground where people meet and come together.

BEN

Even though we think we are so divided in this large country, are we? Is it possible for us to live separately, or are we going to always influence each other’s lives? And also, can we live up to that American ideal where we can discuss our views peacefully and communicate, even when we disagree? And even if we never change each other’s minds, is the act of speaking our mind and listening to others worth something on its own? 

BEN

The cast was tremendous. We were lucky to get so many talented people willing to work for so little and willing to put up with the rudimentary and rushed conditions. Josh Hopkins hung in there with charm and patience and was a workhorse from day one – the man is in almost every scene! Samantha Mathis was so supportive to the film, and stood by us as we developed it – helping to find other cast because she felt passionately about the script. Mary Beth Hurt was a total pro – I hardly directed her at all. Rachel Kitson had done *nothing* on film before this, and totally holds her own with the seasoned actors. And Ian Peakes is a longtime friend who played against type here (he is usually a dashing, charismatic theater actor) and blows the audience away. We were very lucky. 

BEN

To move people.  To have them have a good time, and then something to think about afterwards.  We’ve been travelling with the movie, first in film festivals and now in release, and the breadth and depth of reaction has been outstanding and humbling. *That* is what makes 5 years of hard work worth it. 

And, of course, I’d like to make more movies and tell more stories, so if people like the movie, they should tell their friends to come out! My biggest hope for the film is probably that it will lead to me making another one. 

Angels, make sure you don’t miss this gem of a movie.  And remember, until next time, keep your Pradas on the ground and keep on living large!