This was a rather funny movie that had wonderful bits of insanity throughout. I felt that Leelee Sobieski did a fine job of being the screwy person way out of her league. Everything she touched turned to fertilizer. I had seen Tricia Helfer in a few television shows where she was effective, but here she steps up nicely to steal the show. She is trying to be in control of everything but Leelee Sobieski is too much for any controlled, organized person to handle. The remaining cast of violent and crazy people fills out the story in a humorous and rather frightening way. To me, there was a nice amount of tension being built as the story comes to its conclusion. Not a classic,but a nice rental to fill out an evening's viewing.
15 Reviews
A Clever Screwball Comic Take On A Subculture
Patriotlad@aol.com19 May 2008
Tricia Helfer sparkles nicely in this "Bizarro World" comedy directed by Robert Cuffley. In some ways it hearkens back to the mid-1930s and to some of the great screwball comedies of that era, except with a much harder and daring edge to it. She's an old friend of the bungling ingénue from a hick town ( Lee Lee Sobieski ), who has made a niche for herself in the big bad city by becoming a pro dominatrix.
For those who don't know, being a dominatrix is a lifestyle choice with psychological and sexual overtones, but rarely involving actual sex. It is about psycho-sexual mind games and role-playing, with its own rules and subculture. In all of that, Helfer's characterization and charm seems to be admirably suited for the choice of Celine.
Sobieski takes a brilliant turn as the goofy young friend who simply cannot keep out of her own way. There is in all of this comedic action a dark undercurrent of criminal behavior, as Sobieski's character -- ironically named Alberta -- blunders her way into and out of real trouble where there's real violence done to the real people in her life. She's like a lightning rod in that regard.
The genius of the film lies in how the director and these two superb actresses move the story forward, almost effortlessly, as every time Alberta stumbles into a predicament whatever she does next fails to resolve the problem. It only brings a worse and yet even funnier predicament.
The DVD presentation is terrific and there's just enough of Sobieski's beautiful body shown ( for the right reasons ), to warrant this film having a most sensible R rating. There's just too much sexual role playing in the plot for young teens, and it is not something in the way of entertainment for pre-teen youngsters, at all, period.
Aside from that caveat, this is one goofy, wacky, well-done comedy.
The criminal behavior involved in the plot is diluted somewhat by the hapless nature of the three criminal characters. They are bad hombres for sure but just so darned incompetent that they don't really frighten anyone, all that much ... adults, that is.
They are not misunderstood, it should be noted, these characters -- but they are comically incoherent and impulsive.
So this film ought to and does get seven stars out of ten, with two additional boxes of popcorn tossed in for good measure.
For those who don't know, being a dominatrix is a lifestyle choice with psychological and sexual overtones, but rarely involving actual sex. It is about psycho-sexual mind games and role-playing, with its own rules and subculture. In all of that, Helfer's characterization and charm seems to be admirably suited for the choice of Celine.
Sobieski takes a brilliant turn as the goofy young friend who simply cannot keep out of her own way. There is in all of this comedic action a dark undercurrent of criminal behavior, as Sobieski's character -- ironically named Alberta -- blunders her way into and out of real trouble where there's real violence done to the real people in her life. She's like a lightning rod in that regard.
The genius of the film lies in how the director and these two superb actresses move the story forward, almost effortlessly, as every time Alberta stumbles into a predicament whatever she does next fails to resolve the problem. It only brings a worse and yet even funnier predicament.
The DVD presentation is terrific and there's just enough of Sobieski's beautiful body shown ( for the right reasons ), to warrant this film having a most sensible R rating. There's just too much sexual role playing in the plot for young teens, and it is not something in the way of entertainment for pre-teen youngsters, at all, period.
Aside from that caveat, this is one goofy, wacky, well-done comedy.
The criminal behavior involved in the plot is diluted somewhat by the hapless nature of the three criminal characters. They are bad hombres for sure but just so darned incompetent that they don't really frighten anyone, all that much ... adults, that is.
They are not misunderstood, it should be noted, these characters -- but they are comically incoherent and impulsive.
So this film ought to and does get seven stars out of ten, with two additional boxes of popcorn tossed in for good measure.
Enjoyable, fun and quirky.
RatedVforVinny29 March 2019
This is a movie that sort of starts off at a slower pace but as it trundles along, gets more involving and enjoyable. Really liking some of the off-beat, Canadian humour and with charming, engaging characters. I think the 18 rating is not a good reflection of the content. It's neither sexy or a violent thriller but being hard to classify is great plus point.
Entertaining but Confusing
MikeyB179329 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
An entertaining, but somewhat convoluted plot line. Shift's from a young girl escaping a boring small town, learning that her sister is a dominatrix in the large city and then attempts to become a film noir when one customer of the dominatrix turns out to be wanted for a money heist from his partners. It's like a confused Coen brother's imitation.
The plot keeps shifting and twisting form one location to another – there are three different houses where hostages or activities take place. The family situation did add some comedic value; the women are sisters and two of the thugs are brothers. The leader of the group seemed to be a father to someone but I couldn't figure that one out.
The plot keeps shifting and twisting form one location to another – there are three different houses where hostages or activities take place. The family situation did add some comedic value; the women are sisters and two of the thugs are brothers. The leader of the group seemed to be a father to someone but I couldn't figure that one out.
Leelee Sobieski's Cleavage Elevates This
slightlymad2216 August 2019
Whilst, for the main part I found this distinctly average, the awesome cleavage of Leelee Sobieski kept me glued to the screen.
The sight of her wonderful breasts was truly something to behold. All the cast do a fine job, and there are some laughs to be had!! I'm not sure why it was billed as a thriller.
The sight of her wonderful breasts was truly something to behold. All the cast do a fine job, and there are some laughs to be had!! I'm not sure why it was billed as a thriller.
Walk all over me.
adnkeels5 January 2009
After reading the reviews on this film I sat down with the frame of mind that this was going to be a really good watch. Much to my surprise I was HORRIBLY wrong. For a start the acting was only mediocre at best so maybe these other reviews are on a different film. The plot was ridiculous and far fetched and also very predictable. I didn't see this in a cinema but if I did I would think twice about asking for my money back. I am very open minded about movies as I watch a lot of them every single week but this definitely was not a good movie. If you want my advice stay away or you will be p****d off that that you have just wasted almost 2 hours of your life.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
A pleasant surprise
imdb-178319 February 2018
At Least It Isn't Part Of A Trilogy...
Twelvefield13 May 2009
This is the kind of film you could watch if you were sick in bed with the flu and there was nothing else on TV. Beyond that, consider lowing your expectations.
I remember when Leelee Sobieski and Natalie Portman were considered rivals in the media for being precocious up-and-coming teenage actresses. Both girls have grown up, and Hollywood has done them no favours. Ms. Portman will have to work very, very hard to overcome Queen Amidala, and Ms. Sobieski has gone from the supernova superwierd vixen in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut" to, well, this film.
That's not to say she doesn't have appeal, at least to some folks. In this show, however, talent is wasted, ability is squandered, and the audience is assumed to be sick in bed with the flu. I would compare this film to "Bon Cop, Bad Cop", another Canadian production that took actors with chops and turned them into chopped liver.
Put another way, I think if you laughed uproariously at the humour in "Bon Cop, Bad Cop", and you never figured out that "Harry Buttman" in that film was a parody of a real person, then you will love "Walk All Over Me". I didn't think "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" was funny at all, nor entertaining, but it was "Heat" combined with "Ghostbusters" compared to this turkey.
Screwball comedies work because the humour arises from the peculiar logic of the situation. "Walk All Over Me" has precious little logic, just a long list of cliché peculiarities that fail to amuse or arouse.
I remember when Leelee Sobieski and Natalie Portman were considered rivals in the media for being precocious up-and-coming teenage actresses. Both girls have grown up, and Hollywood has done them no favours. Ms. Portman will have to work very, very hard to overcome Queen Amidala, and Ms. Sobieski has gone from the supernova superwierd vixen in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut" to, well, this film.
That's not to say she doesn't have appeal, at least to some folks. In this show, however, talent is wasted, ability is squandered, and the audience is assumed to be sick in bed with the flu. I would compare this film to "Bon Cop, Bad Cop", another Canadian production that took actors with chops and turned them into chopped liver.
Put another way, I think if you laughed uproariously at the humour in "Bon Cop, Bad Cop", and you never figured out that "Harry Buttman" in that film was a parody of a real person, then you will love "Walk All Over Me". I didn't think "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" was funny at all, nor entertaining, but it was "Heat" combined with "Ghostbusters" compared to this turkey.
Screwball comedies work because the humour arises from the peculiar logic of the situation. "Walk All Over Me" has precious little logic, just a long list of cliché peculiarities that fail to amuse or arouse.
quirky indie
SnoopyStyle12 February 2017
Naive small town girl Alberta (Leelee Sobieski) loses an envelop full of money. She runs from thugs escaping on a bus going to big city Vancouver. She reconnects with her old babysitter Celene (Tricia Helfer) who reluctantly lets her stay. She's surprised that Celene is now working from home as a dominatrix. She spills on Celene's expensive outfit. With no money from her grocery store job, she tries to pay Celene back by taking on Paul (Jacob Tierney) who applied to be Celene's client. Rene (Lothaire Bluteau) barges in with brothers Aaron and Isaac looking to retrieve his money from Paul. Alberta is over her head.
This is an odd quirky Canadian indie that should be funnier that it is. Sobieski is playing clueless but it's oddly unreal. It would be funnier to be broader. She may not be good enough as a comedic actress but she has never looked hotter. Her boobs look great and her pretend dominatrix dancing is sexy fun. At least, the music is fun. Helfer has a dry wit. There are a few good smirk-worthy moments which keeps this on track.
This is an odd quirky Canadian indie that should be funnier that it is. Sobieski is playing clueless but it's oddly unreal. It would be funnier to be broader. She may not be good enough as a comedic actress but she has never looked hotter. Her boobs look great and her pretend dominatrix dancing is sexy fun. At least, the music is fun. Helfer has a dry wit. There are a few good smirk-worthy moments which keeps this on track.
Mislead by multiple factors
Gogiovski19 September 2021
I would like to start this review with the fact that i never write reviews, yet once a time I stumble upon an overrated movie which doesn't deserve to have such good reviews.
Walk all over me is a extremely badly acted film (Leelee Sobieski is so bad at acting, i don't get why people love to see her on the screen) which tries to explain the struggle of a girl who is used to run away from their problems. She goes back to her old babysitter, who is (surprise surprise) a dominatrix. After a big hustle of useless footage (her trying on the clothes, dancing, getting caught etc.), the film starts to throw over-complicated scenario's to your head, which, in the film, make sense in some point but the way they portret it, is so cheap, banal and not original at all.
I don't know what they wanted this film to be, but one thing it has become for sure; A failed portret of what could've been the story of a woman experiencing the BDSM scene for the first time.
Oh and before i finish, if you're into BDSM and try to look for a turn on, just turn away.
The film walks over you!
Walk all over me is a extremely badly acted film (Leelee Sobieski is so bad at acting, i don't get why people love to see her on the screen) which tries to explain the struggle of a girl who is used to run away from their problems. She goes back to her old babysitter, who is (surprise surprise) a dominatrix. After a big hustle of useless footage (her trying on the clothes, dancing, getting caught etc.), the film starts to throw over-complicated scenario's to your head, which, in the film, make sense in some point but the way they portret it, is so cheap, banal and not original at all.
I don't know what they wanted this film to be, but one thing it has become for sure; A failed portret of what could've been the story of a woman experiencing the BDSM scene for the first time.
Oh and before i finish, if you're into BDSM and try to look for a turn on, just turn away.
The film walks over you!
Charming and clever
mischa_sandberg19 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I had the privilege to attend the cast+crew screening of this -- no, I'm neither; just the luck of blundering into the right cineplex. I've just now rented and watched it again: it's definitely as good and sharp as I remembered it. With that in mind ...
I agree with the previous reviewer (gylgamesh): well acted, cleverly written, and charming. Every character has something surprising to reveal; and the humour is at once subtle and laugh-out-loud funny. The food court scene alone was priceless.
Other postings here about Leelee Sobieski's acting puzzle me: in an early scene, Leelee Sobieski gives a tremendous nonverbal expression of everything fighting inside her. Throughout the film, she shows you someone you know you've met before, who's not that bright, but thinks they're smarter than they are... and perhaps they're not all wrong about that, either.
Tricia Helfer is full of surprises here; if you've seen her in "Battlestar Galactica", you can probably imagine how she might carry off the role of dominatrix, but there's more to her role than that. The most surprising thing I found was seeing what shoulder muscles she has. No spoiler, but from the screening after-show stand-up, one of the other actors (Michael Eklund) said that he now wished he hadn't encouraged her to hit him hard enough to be realistic.
The supporting roles are neatly done, as well; Michael Adamthwaite in particular.
The video jacket and promotion might make you think this is a film for guys. Girls: enjoy, this one's at very least as much for you. I'd give it a 9 out of 10, except that I promised I'd save my 9 for that special one :-)
I agree with the previous reviewer (gylgamesh): well acted, cleverly written, and charming. Every character has something surprising to reveal; and the humour is at once subtle and laugh-out-loud funny. The food court scene alone was priceless.
Other postings here about Leelee Sobieski's acting puzzle me: in an early scene, Leelee Sobieski gives a tremendous nonverbal expression of everything fighting inside her. Throughout the film, she shows you someone you know you've met before, who's not that bright, but thinks they're smarter than they are... and perhaps they're not all wrong about that, either.
Tricia Helfer is full of surprises here; if you've seen her in "Battlestar Galactica", you can probably imagine how she might carry off the role of dominatrix, but there's more to her role than that. The most surprising thing I found was seeing what shoulder muscles she has. No spoiler, but from the screening after-show stand-up, one of the other actors (Michael Eklund) said that he now wished he hadn't encouraged her to hit him hard enough to be realistic.
The supporting roles are neatly done, as well; Michael Adamthwaite in particular.
The video jacket and promotion might make you think this is a film for guys. Girls: enjoy, this one's at very least as much for you. I'd give it a 9 out of 10, except that I promised I'd save my 9 for that special one :-)
Embarassing on so many levels
silviuzz-314-17001013 January 2024
Random guys passing by the street and casted as actors, screenplayers and director would have done a better job than the actual ones. This film is embarassing on so many levels: the filming is awful, the plot is stupid and confused and the acting (oh, the acting!) is beyond terrible. 96 mins wasted. I thought it was a film about a girl entering and discovering the BDSM world, a psychological "descent into hell", and no, it was just a super stupid gangs vs. Idiot girl B-movie that jokes about it. It is labeled as "drama" but it is just an unspeakable mess without rhyme or reason. Seriously, as a person working on that crap I would be embarassed to have my real name on the credits. And someone also had the courage to dub it in other languages. Save yourself and skip that crap.
Pretentious Critics
crinolynne4 March 2016
First, this is a comedy; whoever tagged it as a thriller should watch it again. Second, the reviewers, see above, who didn't like it, simply didn't get it - the fault is in you guys, not this movie. Third, the movie is a self-deprecating, unpretentious romp in the peculiar genre of that is Canadian comedy. It's fun.
Lastly, a warning , the principal characters are empowered females, this may cause males of a particular persuasion fits of apoplexy, there should be a warning to this effect in the opening sequence...
At a production cost $3M, I consider this a good use of my tax dollars. And to the author of the synopsis, it's set in Vancouver not Seattle. duh.
Lastly, a warning , the principal characters are empowered females, this may cause males of a particular persuasion fits of apoplexy, there should be a warning to this effect in the opening sequence...
At a production cost $3M, I consider this a good use of my tax dollars. And to the author of the synopsis, it's set in Vancouver not Seattle. duh.
Not your usual vanilla type of movie!
vikimb16 September 2018
This movie gives a decent introduction to viewers who love to know what is S&M about. The storyline is not disturbing and people who accept this lifestyle will understand that its normal to watch this movie. Some might find it silly, but it was ok for me. The leading actress done a decent job in her performance
Would've worked better as a straight-up thriller
selfdestructo9 April 2023
I didn't think the bumbling bad guys worked at all. It would have been more effective if they were menacing. Most of the rest of the movie is played straight. It was an interesting enough premise.
Alberta (Leelee Sobieski) seems to do nothing but get herself involved with trouble. Fleeing one such scenario, she stows on a bus to Vancouver, to stay with her former babysitter (Tricia Helfer). Turns out her "aunt" Celene is now paying her bills as a dominatrix. Alberta is curious, and can't help but get involved, posing as Celene. This gets Leelee into some incredibly hot outfits (as well as more trouble). I suppose that was the main appeal for me in Walk All Over Me. Actually, I did enjoy it when Celene beats up the French-Canadian guy (or whatever the hell that accent was supposed to be. His name was Rene Leblanc, or something like that, so I'm making some assumptions). Am I sensing a theme? Celene, Rene, Alberta, in a Canadian production?
I'm surprised by the number of people who consider Leelee a bad actress. I've watched 3 of her movies in the last 2 nights, and she plays completely different characters in all of them. And I'm the first to point out a bad performance. Here, she plays a naive, meek young woman who gets to taste a little empowerment. She was quite good.
Alberta (Leelee Sobieski) seems to do nothing but get herself involved with trouble. Fleeing one such scenario, she stows on a bus to Vancouver, to stay with her former babysitter (Tricia Helfer). Turns out her "aunt" Celene is now paying her bills as a dominatrix. Alberta is curious, and can't help but get involved, posing as Celene. This gets Leelee into some incredibly hot outfits (as well as more trouble). I suppose that was the main appeal for me in Walk All Over Me. Actually, I did enjoy it when Celene beats up the French-Canadian guy (or whatever the hell that accent was supposed to be. His name was Rene Leblanc, or something like that, so I'm making some assumptions). Am I sensing a theme? Celene, Rene, Alberta, in a Canadian production?
I'm surprised by the number of people who consider Leelee a bad actress. I've watched 3 of her movies in the last 2 nights, and she plays completely different characters in all of them. And I'm the first to point out a bad performance. Here, she plays a naive, meek young woman who gets to taste a little empowerment. She was quite good.
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