Doonby (2013) User Reviews

Not for children, but thought provoking

[yokedforyears · 6/10 · 22 February 2016]

The description Netflix had for this film did not reveal that it had quite adult themes.

My husband and I turned it off, after beginning to watch it with our kids, after about 20 minutes. It was a bit much for our younger kiddos. There are violent scenes, and sexual scenes as well.

We watched the rest later, and found it to be interesting at times, and to have a very thought provoking final 5 minutes.

The characters were interesting. I think John Schneider does a great job as the happy-go- lucky new guy in town. He made me wish he was my neighbor.

We weren't crazy about the gal who played his love interest, but she was fine. I just found her skills for timing her reactions to other actors left me wanting. Just a bit amateurish.

The man who played the leading lady's father was odd, and a bit creepy.

Ernie Hudson is believable in the role of the local bartender. Friendly, outgoing, everyone wants to be at his place.

I can't give a description without spoiling it, so I'll leave it up to you. If you like films with flashbacks, intrigue, mystery, and surprise endings, you'll probably like Doonby.

Held my interest but left me feeling cheated - mysterious enough - but in no way thrilling.

[bmk8 · 5/10 · 2 March 2015]

*** This review may contain spoilers for 'It's A Wonderful Life' as well as for 'Doonby' ***

In 'It's A Wonderful Life' the lesson George Bailey learns is 'every life is worth living'. In 'Doonby' the lesson is 'even 'unwanted' children will grow up to save lives and become talented, successful musicians'. In 'It's A Wonderful Life' we see the support of the loving family George Bailey grew up in, and can easily understand how he came to be the man he is. In 'Doonby' they never show how he went from being abandoned at an orphanage by his mother at a very young age, to being the totally well-adjusted adult he becomes.

In 'It's A Wonderful Life' an Angel uses magic to show George Bailey what Bedford Falls would have been without him. In Bedford Falls with George Bailey in it, everyone knows him, and in the Bedford Falls without George Bailey, no one knows him. But when Doonby exists, he is unable to shake the hand of Laura's father – how can Doonby exist and at the same time hate Laura's father for aborting him? Not only is the magic hidden until the very end, but the world with Doonby and the world without Doonby seem to have been blended together without explanation. It is like a paradoxical and half-finished script for a 'Twilight Zone' episode.

Small wonder I did not see that coming. Who would have guessed the lesson would be so absurd – much less that it would not be directed at any of the characters but at the audience instead. Nothing that happens in the movie is even known to any of the characters except Laura. Laura is the only one who learns the lesson, and she is not pregnant. So the entire story was not about the characters, but about what the film makers want the audience to learn – a clumsy, manipulative, and incoherent breaking the fourth wall.

If 'It's A Wonderful Life' and 'The Twilight Zone' had a baby, 'Doonby' would be it. And this baby should never have been born.

Joe Estevez steals the show!

[NotGreggButAGregghead · 5/10 · 20 October 2019]

I came around to watching Doonby after being made aware that living legend Joe Estevez starred in it. I really enjoyed his scene at Terry Black's BBQ in Austin, Texas where he reflected on his life would be like if he were a drunk and he was no longer a doctor as the dad of the daughter of the doctor.

I give this movie five bags of popcorn and I'm gonna throw in a little miniaturized version of a bottle of barbecue sauce. And you know what you can unscrew the cap on the little miniaturized version of the bottle of barbecue sauce and sprinkle a little bit of it on your popcorn for a little extra kick. But definitely five bags of popcorn and I'm going to make this an Oscar Pick for Joe Estevez for Best Supporting Actor for his role as bar patron.

great chemistry between the two leads.

[tybeedolphin · 30 September 2017]

suspenseful and had good music. great movie to watch for romance. The direction was terrific and the actors brought quirks and life. Loved Robert Davi. There was a scene towards the end where the female lead jenn gotzon was electric. oh and I loved john schneider singing. so charming

I registered just to say how terrible this movie is!

[qmco · 3/10 · 3 June 2014]

I saw it had just about a 7 rating... Watched it based on the first review saying how great the movie was... That review had to be from someone associated with the film... Or they're mentally ill!... Doonby is BY FAR one of the worst movies I have seen in a very long time... The acting is terrible from everyone except from the couple of veteran old timers they got to star in this movie... The plot/story had potential, but it just ended up God awful... and the movies political/moral agenda shines through with the horrible surprise plot twist at the end... THIS MOVIE IS FLAT OUT TERRIBLE FROM BEGINNING TO END!... and yes I made it to the end.. I had to see if SOMETHING was going to make it a good movie at some point.... but no.... nothing.... a complete waste of almost 2 hours of my life I will never get back.... I am actually dumber having sat through this entire movie!... I gave it a 3 only because I have actually seen worse movies in my lifetime... This one isn't at the very bottom... but not far from it!

Misbilled. NOT A Mystery/Thriller.

[ruth-nordenbrook4 · 1/10 · 3 November 2013]

This movie is an anti-abortion fantasy piece. The acting was terrible. The story was disjointed and did not hang together even in the context of its "look what would have been" evangelical message. John Schneider was particularly bad--stilted and wooden.

It was pretty apparent early on that there was something weird going on in this movie, and I don't mean the Superman Sam action. It was set in a small Texas town but though there were drunks and promiscuous women, the F word never once passed anyone's lips. The hero, a big aw shucks kind of guy who is pure in heart and mind sees a woman riding in a Mercedes with her hair blowing in the wind and is instantly smitten with her. He has eyes for no one else despite the fact that many women are lusting for him and she is a spoiled rich drunk. The worst person in the movie was a knife-loving homicidal maniac from guess where? You got it, New York City.

I think the user reviews will tend to break down along ideological lines although I saw one that thought the story & message engaging while agreeing with me about the disjointed nature of the film. Putting aside my disagreement with the movie's ideology, it was aesthetically a badly made and badly acted film.

I wasted $8.50 (I'm a senior who went to a neighborhood theater) and a nice Sunday afternoon. Don't make the same mistake.

Not what I was expecting: Some moments of good, some of it strange and even creepy at times

[heartfantasynovels · 7/10 · 11 January 2016]

This movie was one of the strangest movies I have seen. The acting and directing was pretty good most of the time. The movie cuts to the past of the main character on occasion. The transitions between cut scenes was odd at times. There were moments when I was surprised to see John Schnrieder in a role like this. In this drama, there is drunkenness, lewd comments, innuendo, theft at gun point, sexual situations, stalking, killing out of self defense, and accusations of abuse. Again, not the type of movie I am used to seeing John Schneider in. But, by the end of the film, his involvement made much more sense. The message of the movie (which you do not truly understand until the very end) is worth the watch.

****If you are used to seeing movies with these actors that are more family friendly, please know this is not one of those types of films. I might watch it with a teenager depending on their maturity level but I wouldn't have this playing with younger kids in the room.****

It was also difficult for me to believe the relationship between the two lead characters (Sam and Laura) due to the age difference. This may not be an obstacle for most people. It made sense why the character, Laura, would go for somewhat of a father figure type. It was a bit on the creepy side for me though since my heart views Mr. Schneider as a good father figure and man of faith. Strange as this may be to some... It grossed me out to see them kiss. LOL

awful!

[debfrutiger · 1/10 · 2 January 2014]

I want to write this review primarily to warn people Not to spend money to see this film. We did, and only made it 1/3 of the way through. We saw: indie film, 7.0 score, blues. Wow. Silly, silly us! I assume these are nice folks who were involved in the making and distribution of this film, and I really really hate to say bad things about good people. But I am embarrassed for you! Plot: slow and painful. Acting: forced and fake. Thriller? Really? The few other people who gave this film a review that was positive MusT have a friend or relative involved in the production or distribution of the film and/or some belief system that promotes the agenda the film was attempting to promote. If you are looking to watch a thoughtful and intelligent indie film, this is not it!

Earth, Mind, Conformity and Sanity

[morrismem · 9/10 · 31 December 2018]

Look, the production is not at the scale of IRON MAN. However, any bad reviews are not warranted. The story will only be identifiable by anyone that has depth and has had a lot of life experiences, deep, deep experiences. Experiences that you have not shared with many, or with anyone. There is a lot to this script. Delving into the depth of human nature and the reality that we are an imperfect species on this planet. What is this planet? What is this world? Who are we? Where are we from? How does the brain work? What we have to conform to exist and be excepted in this world. We have no clue what we are. We just traipse along in life ... wondering and acting out and experiencing experiences ... never finding the truth. Maybe in 2070 we will know! This movie depicts what a mess we really are on this planet.

Engaging characters, a clever plot, and a shocking revelation make Doonby a must see.

[manchee · 7/10 · 11 March 2012]

I'd seen just about every movie that was currently running and my choice was between Doonby and Wanderlust. I'd heard nothing about Doonby and didn't find much on-line, so I went with Jennifer Aniston. Can't lose, right? Well, what a mistake. Fortunately, I got another chance to go to the movies and finally did see Doonby. Wow! I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the story grabbed me. The characters were interesting and obviously something was going on beneath the surface that kept me wide awake anxious to find out what it was.

I go to just about every movie that comes out, and I was, frankly, expecting the worst since I'd heard nothing about this movie anywhere. But the cinematography was excellent, the acting first-rate (well, a few of the actors were a little amateurish but you'd expect that in a low budget film), and the script ingenious. I left the movie feeling emotionally charged and excited---definitely a movie that is well worth seeing.

Doonby

[martest11 · 1/10 · 12 December 2013]

I believe the right wing agenda is up to their old tricks again. this is one of the worst movie ever. acting, plot, everything was at its worst. i did not realize the subject matter was about abortions until the end. it was as if the makers wanted to hide this fact from viewers in order to trick them into seeing it. it was preachy,lousy acting, dialog and judgmental. I don't mind a movie with a message but this one was just not well done. some of the theater goers looked as zombie like as some of the actors in the movie. I really have a hard time understanding how this movie gets more than 1 star. the ending's message seemed incoherent to me.

Crazy Good

[JeannieGarciaIMDB · 10/10 · 6 December 2017]

Doonby was crazy good and captivating!!. So well done. Great acting all around. Jenn Gotzon was spectacular. It was almost too freaky, but worth it. I did have to turn it off and wait till morning to finish it. I was too freaked out to watch in the dark. Ha, Ha, Ha. Great for adult of all walks. Amazing message!!! Great job, everyone!!

mysterious stranger arrives in town

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 10 May 2022]

Doonby (john schneider, 25 years after dukes of hazzard!) is a dusty traveler. He takes a job as a bartender in leroy's jazz club (ernie hudson, from ghostbusters). Right away, he makes enemies. Who is he, and why doesn't he have a past? But the issues simmering under the surface were already about to boil over even before he arrived on the scene. The story is all over the place. One moment we're watching doonby freak out when he meets his girl's dad... then there's a car accident, and we're visiting a crazy old lady in the hospital. Mysterious. And confusing. Small role for joe estevez, martin sheen's brother. You'd swear it's sheen talking, they sound so much alike. It's okay. Some politics with which you may agree or disagree. Written and directed by peter mackenzie.

Not good

[free20062006 · 2/10 · 13 December 2012]

Beware: movie is terrible. This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Not because of the intentions or goals, but because of the plot, transitions, and ending. I tried to have hope throughout, but in the end I was disappointed and very much let down. Yes, the plot is unique and the idea is great... but it was not executed as well as it could have been (saying it nicely). There were attempted plot twists, scandalous situations, and strange interactions... but there was not really anyone to relate to. Do not let a couple hours of your life be spent experiencing this bad movie. This movie could be redone and recreated with a better plot and flow, but this movie isn't making the cut. I give it 2/10 only because their intentions were good and there were some interesting ways to portray some things. BUT, I would not and never recommend this movie.

Where we are as humans

[multiherb · 11 November 2017]

I admired all the characters in this movie. Love the music and the path of a moment in life.

After reading all the comments I see no one hit the mark. If we could only get away from all this nonsense that means so little we would get the point of the movie.

That point is simple. THINK of where we as humans are and figure out how to make it better.

Was abortion even legal in 67 in Louisiana?

[Greatornot · 1/10 · 18 November 2017]

A young mother basically being thrown to the coals because of an abortion. This film was so far right wing ideology and it was not even historically accurate. Basically a fantasy film about a man that never was because he was aborted. He was heroic and they actually portrayed the film in a bar in Texas run and owned by a black man. Like a bunch of right wing redneck country boys would frequent such a bar. One of the bad guys was from NYC. This was utterly ridiculous. Also, why is it assumed that aborted babies would be heroic anyway?

TERRIBLE!! TERRIBLE!! Right-wing propaganda soap at about a 7th grade level

[dbh850 · 1/10 · 17 October 2017]

Ohmygosh - I watched this film while puttering about - thank God! SO grateful that I didn't actually just WATCH it.

It is one of the worst films ever. Throughout the ghastly thing, I kept thinking, "this is one of the worst films I've ever seen - it's as bad as those Christian films." Well, guess what? It IS one of those Christian films.

The acting is terrible. The writing is even worse. I can't say anything about the directing because everything else was so bad, I wouldn't know where the director's hand is in there.

Everything felt like middle schoolers had written a story and decided to put a show in over a holiday weekend - so amateurish and clumsy. No character was believable. And the premise at the start? Ridiculous!

A mysterious 50-something fellow comes to town and saves everyone from their various troubles. He's a PERFECT man. He could be Jesus. He had been in the Peace Corps and he's literally better than everyone else in that town of greedy, pathetic, hopeless, conniving jerks. Only the bartender and his wife are decent.

He falls in love with a ridiculous, empty-headed, selfish, hard- partying alcoholic 20-something girl. Really? A guy with those attributes and as old as he is falls in love with a vapid drunk? C'mon!!

The film is a sledgehammer of anti-choice, right-wing rubbish. SO glad I didn't pay for it - and so glad I was organizing my drawers while watching it. If I had sat down and watched without doing anything else, I would be very unhappy over the lost time.

Now, if I can get back those 35 neurons that this terrible thing destroyed, I will be happy.

Cheesy made for TV feel.

[mfouch-75129 · 4/10 · 1 January 2018]

This movie was not a total loss. It had some good music. Overall the acting was very weak, especially the female lead. This movie would likely do well on the Hallmark channel. If you like cheesy, poorly acted movies and don,t value your time very much then give it a try. I would not recommend it.

Touching Awakening Amazing " Doonby"

[bchcreed · 10/10 · 4 January 2014]

Every family needs a copy of this movie. I found it Thought provoking like the Butterfly Effect. I found it heart warming like "Its a wonderful life"

My thoughts are simply this about this movie... Just like the movie trailer states "Everybody is somebody" This movie left me appreciating who I am who others are, and who everyone who never was might have been. God bless the crew, Great job! Wonderful piece, very mindfully done. Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful!

John Schneider and Leading lady Jenn Gotzon did a truly remarkable job in their roles. They related to each other and the audience in a way that you don't feel that your watching people just acting they became their story they shared their story and their story is one that should touch every viewer.

Terrible ending! Don't fall for false critics!

[Darth_Blade · 1/10 · 2 May 2020]

Now I completely believe that most of these 29 reviews were written by the producer's money. I bought this film after reading reviews and it became such a disaster. First of all, they all lie. There is nothing scary about this film, nothing creepy nothing at all. The ending is just pure mess that you think like you spent 90 minutes of your life for nothing. The film doesn't have any ending. Not open ending not something "to make you think"; just pure NOTHING. It's a film about nothing. Don't bother with this trash.

This Movie Will Open Up Your Eyes

[garrettweavermusic · 9/10 · 15 February 2014]

I have to admit when I first began to watch "Doonby" I was a little skeptical. But this movie really opened my eyes to a lot of things I was missing. It had it's moments where I just like, "REALLY NOW" but those moments where overshadowed by the depth of the story. The fact is "Doonby" goes places most movies refuse to go, it will definitely take you by surprise and it will most definitely OPEN UP YOUR EYES, to the way you treat people. I am not going to delve to much as I don't want to put any spoilers in my preview. Please take the time to watch "Doonby" and share it with your family and friends, or people you think may need to see this movie.

This is a must see in my book. I have and do recommend it to everyone.

TERRIBLE.

[dykost · 1/10 · 25 April 2020]

I, like another commentator, only created an account to comment on how terrible this movie and the acting were and also to point out a gaping plot hole that that careening semi could have driven through. If Leroy is dead because Doonby wasn't there to save him from the robbers, and Junior is dead because Doonby wasn't there to grab the shopping cart before the semi hit it, then Laura would be dead, too, and wouldn't be around to wake up and discover Doonby never existed because she would have been stabbed by that psycho from New York because Doonby wouldn't have been there to save her, either! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.

Great message and John Schneider is wonderful as always!

[barbclrd · 10/10 · 4 January 2014]

This movie has a great message that all people have value and make a difference. Our choices dictate what type of affect we have on the people with whom we come in contact. I appreciated the surprises and the emotional pull this story had on me. John Schneider has been one of my favorite actors since the 70's and he continues to create products that are entertaining and powerful. He even has a scene where he showcases his singing/musical skills. I was not familiar with the other actors, but feel it was full of great performances. If you are looking for a movie that leaves you thinking and realizing you can make a difference in people's lives; I recommend this film wholeheartedly.

Doonby is a Heartfelt and Entertaining Story

[nmangano · 10/10 · 11 November 2013]

I recently saw the movie Doonby, and when the film ended, I felt like I had just watched an excellent movie. Doonby is an emotional, heartfelt, entertaining story, that weaves an interesting theme throughout the picture. As a viewer, you can certainly tell that something unknown is going on underneath the story's surface, and this riveting sense keeps you interested and glued to the story. I was pulled into the movie from beginning to end.

I give a nod to John Schneider's portrayal of the lead character, Sam Doonby, yet Jenn Gotzon, as the lead female playing Laura Reaper, carried this movie, in my opinion. Jenn's role as Laura Reaper is believable and powerful, and as an actress, Jenn's character by far reaches the deepest and the most difficult ranges to draw from of all of the characters in the movie. I was glad that I sat through this movie that deals with pertinent social issues, and I highly recommend seeing Doonby.

One of the best films I've seen, A Great movie

[mrwarren8 · 20 November 2013]

Doonby is one of the best films I've seen. Wow! I loved it sooo much. I was shocked the first time seeing it. The whole movie kept me at the edge of my seat. The ending had a powerful message that really made me think about the value of life and how every life is important. the movie was well written and Directed by brilliant and Amazing Director Peter Mackenzie. Great performance from the entire cast. Jenn Gotzons performance as Laura Reaper was her best performance yet. She showed soo much emotional depth to her character and the chemistry between jenns character and John schneiders was fantastic! Jenn did a fantastic job playing a wild party Girl. the ending scene between Sam Doonby And Laura Reaper was extremely powerful. you could feel the emotion between the two especially when she breaks his Guitar. Her performance as a wild part Girl was sooo Amazing. I thought the movie had a great story with a surprise twist at the end that I never expected.. Jenn and John Schneider did a superb Job. The ending had a huge Impact on my life and is one of the best pro life films that I've seen. I highly recommend this Movie. It is a must see. It will change a persons perspective on life and make people think about the choices they Make.