In the fall of 1998, in Philadelphia, we started production on a $2mil film that created a new Murphy's Law - "The Kimberly Effect". Things went wrong due to the general ineptness,politely called inexperience, of an odd crew led by the usual Los Angeles cast of meglomaniacal above the line people. This was particularly amusing because if they weren't Europeans, they were Isralis - how do they learn a second language, figure out who to "lunch" with and become the aspiring arbitrars of American pop culture? The only answer - the Kimberly Effect. Last month I got to see this film projected at the Houston International Film Festival, introduced by director Frederic Golchan, who walked right by me 4 or 5 times without recognition, even though in Philadelphia he gave me champagne. Product placement, but champagne none the less. He was busy being schmoozed by the festival folks, so I did not bother him. Amazingly, this picture was sweet and funny and made Philadelphia look beautiful - no small feat. Gabrielle Anwar and Chris Rydell had great chemistry, and people laughed in all the right places. A model turned actor was the only weak link in the cast, and he's so attractive no one else at the theatre seemed to notice. The music was lovely, and all in all, it was a pleasant bit of entertainment. I kept waiting for the film to break, the theatre to burn, the popcorn to spill, but nothing happened. The Kimberly Effect was over. I hope they sell the movie.
