BELLEVILLE – The Review

Review by Kathy Kaiser

Hitting the BIG Screen in the town it’s named after, local film producer Ted Trent brings to life his character and the best that “the town” has to offer with his new independent film – BELLEVILLE

As we meet a strange and disoriented Neila, (played by Ted Trent) he is confronted by a mean spirited woman by the name of Arlene (played by Copper Shaw).  Neila makes his way to the home of local farmer, turned recluse Willie (played by Tim O’Leary), who isn’t sure what to think of Neila, and his peculiar behavior, but is enjoying his company just the same.  Neila makes his way about town, engaging the locals who notice his extraordinary abilities, as they too begin to question like Arlene, what is this Neila person really all about.

Realizing that his friend Willie is in great pain over the unexpected death of his wife, he decides to engage as many people about town as he can, hoping that he can convince them to visit Willie to get him out of this “funk” he seems to be in…..

Will Neila be able to make his way in this new world?  Will Willie confide in Neila things he hasn’t shared with anyone for quite some time?  Will Arlene get her way, and make sure that Neila goes back to wherever it is he came from?  Or will this new friendship turn into something neither Willie nor Neila ever expected?

I give BELLEVILLE 4 out of 5 stars :  I have to admit it was fantastic seeing local Ted Trent up on the big screen and seeing places and people who I have known practically my whole life on the big screen too,  but as I watched the film, it became so much more than just “old home week” for me!  Dan Steadman’s storyline and the characters he created were heartwarming and totally believable.  The Dynamic Duo of Ted Trent Studios and Circa 87 Productions was apparently a match made in heaven, as Ted and Dan have everyone wondering what will happen to Neila next.  Those two gentlemen having the frame of mind to snag Tim O’Leary and Cooper Shaw as the other leads for the film was apparently dead on as well, as Shaw just received the Best Supporting Actress nod from the American Movie Awards for this film.  I asked my 14 year old to join me to see the premier, and she too shared how much she enjoyed the film.

And keep an eye out for the next production to start filming in Belleville from Ted Trent Studios and Circa 87 Productions – EXPECT DELAYS

BELLEVILLE screens at the Skyview Drive In in Belleville, IL this Thursday, May 8th. The gates open at 7pm. The Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1484272845118181/