In the film "Hard Sell", a high schooler is struggling with money. He helps out a stripper which eventually leads to them starting an almost borderline prostitution service for his fellow schoolmates.
The premise alone gives the impression that this film could have deep and interesting characters that the viewer wants to root for, but unfortunately, it doesn't reach that far. Watching the film, it seems that the writers just piled various life problems onto their characters, in hoping that we will feel sorry for them and connect with them, but it doesn't happen. The character of Hardy has many life problems: lack of money, mother with mental challenges and a dog that needs a $10,000 surgery. Yet under all that baggage, Hardy came across as an unlikeable asshole, and same goes for the stripper, Bo. The only time any character came across as likable is when two characters who have never danced before attempt to dance at a party.
This film is not bad, but is in no way a must see Indie.
Plot summary
When Hardy Buchanan, a senior at an elite private school, needs to make some quick cash, he enlists the help of Bo, a beautiful runaway. Together, they devise an unconventional plan to profit off the wayward teens at Hardy's school. When the students learn that Bo has more to offer than meets the eye, the unlikely duo's new business takes a unique turn, tossing them headfirst into the lifestyles of the rich and dysfunctional.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
October 08, 2023 at 05:33 PM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Doesn't Have the Heart it So Desperately Wants
a bit of this, a bit of that
Hardy Buchanan (Skyler Gisondo) is a loner attending a rich Long Island private school. He lives with his depressed mother Lorna (Kristin Chenoweth) in a small apartment. His aged dog needs surgery but he has no money. While volunteering at a homeless shelter, he meets Bo (Katrina Bowden) who claims to be a homeless stripper. He takes her in for the night. She reveals that she ran away from a mental hospital. She flashes a bunch of kids for $50 and Hardy has an idea to make money for his dog surgery. Lake (Hannah Marks) is a disenfranchised girl at the school who takes an interest in Hardy. Bo's appeal becomes more than flashing her boobs as she helps these kids' troubles. Meanwhile, her past is closing in on her.
There is a bit of Risky Business, high school romance, and some mental health issues. The characters are good. Bowden is a fine manic pixie dream girl. This is a fine indie for the most part. I can do without the preaching by Hardy in the climatic confrontation with the school authorities. I would have liked a more interesting ending for Bo. There are a bunch of little things that could have been better but it's a nice effort for Sean Nalaboff's debut full length film.
And that is what this movie was for me - a hard sell
Director/writer: Sean Nalaboff doesn't quite pull it all together in this flick and it was a hard sell to me. I wanted to like this movie but I found the characterization to be more uneven than consistent. Plus the story is told as episodes in Hardy Buchanan's life - examples - there is Hardy with his emotionally unstable mother, these is Hardy with the beautiful runaway Bo, there is Hardy at the preppy school showing off Bo, there is Hardy dealing with the administration after his money making scheme is uncovered.
All these bits a pieces just do not come together as a flowing story. (At least that is how the movie comes across to me) Then his mother is put into a mental institution and we never really know what her problem is. Bo comes across as too together to be a runaway. And the outdoors party scene was confusing as Hardy seems an outcast at school but OK at a party.
I couldn't go with the intent of a boy having to become an adult at his young age. This story, as it is, doesn't develop the soul Sean Nalaboff is so trying to project.