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“Everything Relative” A Lesbian Big Chill

Films targeted for lesbian audiences are seldom able to meet more mainstream standards, but Everything Relative is a well-written, provocative story of seven women coming together for a weekend to celebrate the birth of a child. One can't put this much chemistry together in one place, though, and not expect some amazing things to happen.

Friends in college, all have a shared history, at least in part, much of which is unresolved. An old relationship must be confronted when Josie and Maria become painfully aware of a conversation they should have had many years ago, and they must now find a way to put misunderstandings to rest. We watch as they struggle with a past neither of them could control, and question what the future might hold if they could somehow reach out to each other.

Victoria and Katie, mothers of the child bringing the group together, deal with relationship issues brought on by external pressures including a child, financial inequality, and career vs. family pride. When Victoria drops her lover's hand as a colleague approaches them in public, a debate begins within the group that covers very real issues facing all lesbians in today's society. How much is our pride worth, and how much power is actually lost by letting the Far Right draw their own conclusions?

All will be intrigued by Luce (who just happens to be the lead dance / acrobatics choreographer on the latest Cher tour), the sexual dynamo with rock-hard abs and a sexy voice to boot, who must come to terms with herself and her past, and with the ghost she harbors in both places. Luce is partly what we all want in a lover and partly what we all want to be—serious yet wild, desired yet strong, beautiful yet vulnerable. But if Luce is ever to break the endless stream of casual affairs she seems both able to start and end with a fair amount of apathy she must let go of Sonja, the perfect lover, who died many years ago, and who keeps Luce's heart from taking chances and losing the game.

Gena could be the one to bring Luce back among the living. With her sarcastic wit and movie-star looks, she is the songstress who sings life back into the hallowed place reserved for Sonja, and brings a less serious pace to the film. She looks like fluff but, in the end, it is Gena who reveals more of life's truths than we deemed her capable.

Everything Relative features outstanding performances by the entire cast, and addresses many lesbian issues while providing great storylines and interesting characters. Those looking for racy love scenes will not be disappointed, as the film is not to be outdone in this area either. This group can heat up a Northampton night better than most, without compromising the integrity of the film or our expectations of the characters. They play, laugh, and love the way we would if we were them, and in a way that truly depicts many lesbian lifestyles.

Rating: (on a scale of 1-5, with one being poor and five as excellent)
Everything Relative

Everything Relative Director: Sharon Pollack Starring: Ellen McLaughlin, Olivia Negron, Andrea Weber Released: 1996 | Rated: NR Category: Drama | Length: 110 minutes Retail: $19.95 VHS | $24.95 DVD Format: VHS and DVD Click here to buy EVERYTHING RELATIVE (VHS) from amazon.com Click here to buy EVERYTHING RELATIVE (DVD) from amazon.com Click here to buy from Wolfe Video (lesbian owned)

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