Next Time (1998) User Reviews

A deeply emotional and detailed insight into the lives of two very real, different yet remarkably similar lives.

[raffibag · 9/10 · 1 March 1999]

First time director L Alan Fraser captures the real life differences of two seemingly ordinary people with remarkable force, accuracy and poignancy. The magic of the film lies not in these differences, rather how they connect on a human level via said differences. The film proves itself as a challenge not only to the director but to the actors as well. The script is based primarily around the dialogue between Matt (Christian Campbell) and Evelyn (Jonelle Allen). Both Christian and Jonelle conjured up just the right amount of energy and feeling to expose their characters in a riveting manner over the course of several contiguous Saturday nights in an inner city LA laundromat. These nights are the canvass on which the problems of inner city life are painted, embodied as a collection of troubled souls drawn into the laundromat for whatever reason. Ultimately, their friendship must stand the test of the society around them regardless of the fact that Matt is a 19 year old white kid just off the bus from Ohio drawn to LA for questionable personal reasons, and Evelyn is a black 30-something grandmother with real life problems of family and love. An original through and through.

Wonderful!

[gstridsigne · 10/10 · 11 June 2003]

I wish that I could say that this was probably allegorical of something else, because it truly has that potential and that magnitude of greatness. Jonelle Allen plays a lovely African-American woman named Evelyn who meets a young white man named Matt (Christian Campbell) while doing laundry in downtown Los Angeles near the time of the Rodney King Riots. It truly is the best movie I have ever seen due to its true plot. The only other director that I have seen in semi-recent years to create such a wonderful plot and thought-provoking story-line is Tim Burton's Edward Scissor-Hands (which I believe to be an allegory). Just beautiful, but very hard to find --- I spent forty dollars buying it off the internet. It has won the 55 mm award by the way. It deserves its title.

BitterSweet

[savanna-2 · 8 July 2001]

A film that begins with tentative non personal laundry discussions, at the local laundry mat, turns into a deeper relationship between the two leads.

A character driven film, with success dependant "Matt and Evelyn" and their dedication to the spirit of the film and a very real chemistry between them.

A true friendship develops, and the film rings true to the viewer. Because we care about the characters, as they have come to care for one another.>

Was this a Theatrical Release?

[FORREST136 · 4 July 2001]

Just caught this film on "Black Starz" a cable movie station. I was extremely impressed by the performances of Jonnell Allan and Christian Campbell. The dialogue reads like a play, and the actors are excellent! A little dramatic at times, I ust say I could not take my eyes off of the screen. The end song "Next Time" is still going through my mind! Catch it if you can!

A Fine Lesson on What I Don't Know About Racism

[R True · 20 October 1998]

I attempted to view this film with the same, tolerant eyes of the lead, Matt. However, I found that my earnestness could only go so far in trying to understand the difficulties of racism. The film gave me a strong sense that my understanding of the problem is proper, but I can't feign a blindness, however noble my motives. I was very impressed by the entire film, the only exception being the story line that intimated of stalking. Otherwise, it is a clear success in exploring the worthiness of bridging the communication gap that separates whites and blacks.