Elvis and Anabelle (2007)

Every-once in a blue moon Netflix suggests an independent film I've never heard of that ends up turning into something I enjoyed.  That's the case with Elvis and Anabelle, a film that was made in 2007 and wasn't released on DVD until October of 2010, a film I'm assuming most people probably never knew existed unless you happen to be a hardcore Blake Lively fan, the only actress (or actor) in the film who could be called relatively popular at this current time.

Elvis and Anabelle is the story of two young adults with completely different lifestyles and personalities who find themselves thrown together by a sort of twisted fate.  Anabelle (Blake Lively) is an over zealous beauty pageant contestant, the pride and joy of her small Texas town, who goes on to win the Miss Texas Rose competition only to promptly keel over onstage and die from results of an ongoing eating disorder created by her and mother's insane attempt to keep her looking thin and beautiful.  Anabelle's body ends up back home at "the only funeral home around for 50 miles" to be embalmed by the great mortician Charlie, only thing is Charlie hasn't been doing embalmings for years.  It's unknowingly to the rest of the town been his son Elvis (Max Minghella), whose mastered his father's profession after his mind became incapable of handling the job.

Elvis is a very quiet, pessimistic young man with a lot of built up anger due to some rather traumatic circumstances in his past that has resulted in him becoming responsible for his family's well being.  Still he treats his father with the utmost respect and it's clear he's the only person that means anything in his life.  When Anabelle's body shows up to be embalmed her sullen beauty overcomes him causing him to kiss her on the lips, an act that follows her suddenly regaining conscience.  Coincidence or miracle, Anabelle finds herself alive again, although her near death experience has brought with it a new outlook on life.  She finds herself no longer concerned with her prior endeavors, and the growing media attention and her mother's continual prodding to use it all to their advantage causes her to find refuge at Elvis's home where her second change at life began. 

For me Elvis and Anabelle is one of the quintessential romance films; a small town setting, a drop dead gorgeous lead actress, a withdrawn and bitter lead character, a fair amount of depressing occurrences and cookie cutter happy ending.  This film doesn't reinvent the romance drama genre, but it takes the aspects that make one good and throws in it's own unique spin.  The characters are relatable, the chemistry is believable and the story is moving.  It's one of the few films I actually found myself appreciating even more the next day as I still find it milling around in my brain.  

Blake Lively gives a surprisingly good performance; aside from Accepted I've never watched her in anything else and was pleasantly surprised that she actually has some decent acting chops.  The performance is not on par with Rachel McAdams from The Notebook, but it's very good.  The rest of the cast is made up of some old familiar faces that give strong supporting performances, especially Joe Mantegna who plays Elvis's disabled father.  Overall, Elvis and Anabelle receives my strong recommendation, a little unknown gem that deserves a little more attention.  Some might find it a little cliche' and maybe even boring, but I think a majority will be able to enjoy it for what it is, a film about overcoming terrible situations in your past and learning to appreciate life for the simple things.

8/10