Rating:

Starring Kyra Sedgwick, Parker Posey, Fairuza Balk, Wallace Shawn and Ron Leibman

Written and Directed by Rebecca Miller

Based on the book of the same name by Miller

Produced by Lemore Syvan

Distributed by United Artists

86 mins.

Rated R

How far have independent films come in the last 10 or so years? They seem to be more engrained in our society with the advent of things like the Internet and renowned film festivals.

It’s always good to see an independent film like “Personal Velocity” come into the spotlight of the main stream and shine a glimmer of hope that films made under a million dollars can still inspire.

Based on the short stories of author Rebecca Miller, “Personal Velocity” conveys the stories of three women at pivotal turning points in their lives through a more biographical and unconventional approach. A great effect in emphasizing the word “personal” in “Personal Velocity.”

Delia (Kyra Sedgwick of “Phenomenon”) is a battered mother, trapped by her abusive husband of twelve years whom she still loves. She reaches her breaking point upon being viciously beaten by her husband in front of their three preteens and decides that enough is enough. She faces her “crossroad” and takes the path unknown, realizing that it might be the only way to gain control of her life and give a better one to her children.

Greta (Parker Posey of “The Sweetest Thing”) is a cookbook editor on the verge of newfound professional stardom. However, she finds herself dealing with issues of fidelity to her loving, but somewhat boring, husband and is drawn towards her new intimidating working partner. A sudden and disturbing thought comes to Greta and it will change her life forever.

Paula (Fairuza Balk of “Deuces Wild”) is a runaway, changed by the events of a sudden and unexpected near death experience. In a rush to cope with the trauma, she drives away in haste and picks up a hitchhiker along a rain-soaked road; a young boy who’s been badly beaten. Along the way, Paula ascertains a new sense of life and it changes the direction she’d ultimately been heading.

The film has a pseudo “home video” style to the cinematography, periodic narration, and interesting camera angles that work to great effect. It takes the viewers on a biographical as well as journalistic journey through the three women’s lives that results in us feeling helplessly depressed for them.

You can’t help but wonder what sort of events led these women to the situations they are now in. Rebecca Miller (author and director) does a wonderful job of addressing this and inserts vital flashbacks that tell the character’s history and help stitch together vital pieces of each story.

Unfortunately, these characters do not interact in the film, but are instead viewed at different points in the movie. Perhaps it makes more sense to leave them as separate entities, but one could imagine that they may have known each other at some point. “Three Portraits,” as part of the full title of the film proclaims and it is just that.

The film, a winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, also boasts an award in Excellence in Cinematography.

What truly should have been rewarded were the performances that Sedgwick, Posey, and Balk bring to this film. Each actress delivers a very believable emotional side that really leaves you feeling much better about your own life.