Elena Undone

I'm a 68 year old white heterosexual male...who happens to LOVE relationship movies, and LESBIAN relationship movies in particular....and lesbian-meeting-and-loving-straight-woman-relationship movies even more!! Those predilections taken into account, "Elena Undone" is the absolute BEST of that "genre"!! Before I saw "Elena", I'd watched "Room in Rome", and THAT movie became my #1 in the above genre. (Previously, my favorite "lesbian" movie was "Everything Relative", but that movie is sorta like "The Big Chill" of lesbian movies. Great flick, but NOT in the "lez loves straight" category!!) So, why is "Elena Undone" so fabulous?? I'll begin with the story. It's believable! A married (15 years) woman with a teen son meets a lesbian at an adoption center. Elena (a sensational Necar Zadegan) and her Pastor husband have tried, but failed to conceive a 2nd child. Peyton (an also-sensational Traci Dinwiddie) is a woman whose mother just died, whose last relationship ended, but who wants to have a child. It's an instant attraction!! For both of them!! For Peyton, it's easy.....she's met another woman she's very attracted to. For Elena.....not so easy!! She's NEVER been attracted to a woman, hasn't even kissed a woman...ever! The story follows their blossoming relationship, from first chats to a photo shoot (for Peyton's book cover...Elena is a GREAT photog!!) to deeper and deeper involvement....to their first long kiss (advertised as the "longest kiss in cinema history"!!)...to sex. But this is one story where the sex ACT isn't the be all-end all of the movie. Nonetheless, it's beautifully done, erotic, sensual, poetic. I won't reveal what happens later.....You'll have to see the movie for that!....but problems DO arise, and how they deal with those problems makes the ending a real HUGE tearjerking few minutes!! Yes, me, a 68 year old male, cried WET tears (not just a damp tear drifting down my cheek, but SOB-like crying!!) in the last 10 minutes of the film!! The actresses. In one word, PERFECT!! If you can think of any "name" actresses who could have done a better job, please let me know!! They are beautiful, and display their emotions right up FRONT!! You really believe these women ARE falling in love, and ARE lusting after the other!! The dialogue As a writer for 47 years (and counting!), I MUST have GREAT dialogue to make me enjoy a movie (or TV show or book). And "Elena Undone" has all that!! I don't know if any of it was improvised (the dialogue, I mean), but it easily COULD have been!! Because the words these women speak are words YOU have spoken in YOUR serious relationships...and words I've spoken in mine!! Again, in one word, PERFECT!! Then there's the "extras". Meaning the other characters. Elena's best friend is a married male motivational speaker who's doing a documentary on "twin flames", people meeting their true soulmates. (They're platonic friends!!) Peyton's best friend is another lesbian she's known since high school. She's a wise-cracking Brit (Her accent sounds British!!) who is always THERE for Peyton!! Also, interspersed throughout are "real" (??) couples who tell the audience (or Elena's friend's camera!!) how they met and fell in love. Reminded me a LOT of similar scenes from "When Harry Met Sally"!! Then there's Elena's husband, who plays it kind of straightforward. And their son, Nash, who has a key role in the movie. Lastly, there's Nash's girlfriend, Tori, who is INCREDIBLE!! Wait till you see and hear HER!!! All told, if there's a "better" lesbian-loves-straight movie, with all the necessary elements--emotions, lust, love, sex, believability--please tell me its name!! For lesbians and straights alike (both female AND male variety!), "Elena Undone" is a MUST SEE movie!!

Compelling acting by the leading women. This movie actually should be my favorite but I have to knock the writer or director for the "side stories". I fast-forward through them because they really don't add anything to the movie. I would have preferred to have more character development of Peyton and Elena rather than stories about random and "not so believable" love matches. The lead actresses did a masterful job though. So wonderful, in fact, that I was left wanting more! The chemistry was amazing and, best of all, believable. The movie pulled me in and made me experience the various emotions that women in similar situations would unquestionably experience. The writer(s) and director(s) even created that feeling of struggle and internal conflict where you don't want to accept something but you know it's part of life and no matter how much you fight it, you cannot control it. It's funny, serious, sad, happy, loving, passionate, sensual, erotic, . . . and on and on. You'll get it all with this movie. In the end, the movie left me feeling like I was wrapped in a warm, soft blanket, and everything was going to be just grand! You can and will watch this movie over and over. Besides, both actresses are undeniably beautiful so it won't hurt to watch it time and time again. Go ahead, buy the movie and enjoy -- I know you will!

This is one of the most beautifully performed films I've seen. The acting is superb by all the characters, and the intense relationship that develops between Peyton and Elena is so believable and real and personal that it "took MY breath away". I was astounded that anyone could rate this as 1. I'm not a writer, I'm a viewer. My standard metric has been Desert Hearts (Hard to beat that one), but this one does. Perhaps those who have never experienced the kind of love expressed in this movie would consider it poorly, but for me, this is the best Lesbian movie I have seen to date. Yes, the "soulemetry" scenes may be a bit much for some, but they needn't detract at all from the movie. I enjoyed them. If you wish, take them as a delightful interlude and move on. It is hard to believe a love so deep exits that it would so completely change your life. This one is believable. I could not, and still can't believe that Traci and Necar are acting. The electricity between them is phenomenal. I've have the DVD a little over 2 months and still get it out to watch - from beginning to end. And I loved the featured interviews. And Peyton's friend Wave, played by Mary Wells, is delivers hers lines perfectly. I laugh over them every time I watch. The two kids, Conner Kramme and Sabrina Fuster as Nash and Tori are delightful together and as well as in their separate roles - and to think Sabrina wrote and performed one of the best songs in the move! Wow! Actually all the acting was good. Even those you want to "hate", you do, although hate is too strong a word - dislike would probably be better. Anyway - a wonderful, delightful, and amazing movie with all the right stuff - over and over!

This is the best recently made movie I have seen at the moment. The story line was beleivable and most people would be able to relate to all the characters in this movie as someone they may know in real life. The movie dealt with a range of topical issues. They were well portrayed by each character. Most lesbians will also feel deeply connected to Peyton and her cycle of feelings for Elena. The longing and struggles she faces for loving Elena are clear, even without words. And....what a kiss. Best kiss between lesbians on screen in any movie I have watched. You can almost feel the passion from these women radiating off the screen, red hot. Well made, well acted, GREAT cast.

This classy, well made, poignant, sensual lesbian drama features commendable performances by drop dead gorgeous Traci Dinwiddie, playing the part of Peyton, and Necar Zadegan, playing the part of Elena, in what constitutes a well directed romance, based on an amalgamation of true stories, by acclaimed director, Nicole Con (probably one of her best efforts to date), that incorporates a brilliant soundtrack and an engrossing screenplay that revolves around the story of Elena, an Indian married to a conservative right wing preacher opposed to lesbian marriages, to whom she has never felt any real love and whom their son and his girlfriend finds overbearing, discovering herself unaccountably attracted to Peyton, whom she met during Peyton's attempt to adopt a child, after she embarks to photograph Peyton in a session where she discovers herself experiencing unaccountable feelings of tenderness for Peyton and under the encouragement of a liberal preacher who gave innumerable sermons encouraging his parishioners to search for their true soul mate regardless of gender as the discovery of true love is so confoundingly difficult and true love so ephemereal, gradually finding herself unable to control her feelings for Peyton and discreetly engaging in passionate sexual relations with her and falling in love despite her strict religious upbringing and what she has been brought up to belief, dealing with her inabilty to confess her love for Peyton to her husband and leaving Peyton to go on a vacation with her husband in Hawaii, where she receives countless love letters from Peyton, and promises to take time off for a sexual triste but failing to do so on countless occasions, until one occasion where she manages to escape her husband to meet with Peyton, during which time they engage in passionate sex, after which she engages in a serious conversation with Peyton, during which time Peyton decides she cannot continue with the relationship due to Elena's unwillingness to leave her husband, leaving Elena crushed, but resolving to confess her feelings to her husband, and hence achieve self actualization as a photographer and a woman, and being forced confess her feelings to her son, after he discoveres Peyton's love letters to Elena and confronts his mother, only to encounter Peyton in a park, with Peyton finding herself unable to resist Elena and kissing her in public, where her husband's closest friend in Christ witnesses them kissing and take several shots with her camera phone and shows them to Elena's husband, prompting a confrontation between Elena and her husband that culminates in Elena leaving her husband, only to discover Peyton rejecting her when she discovers Elena pregnant and mistakenly reaches the conclusion that she was unfaithful to her and had engaged in intercourse with her husband when they were apart, until Elena falls ill and her son requests Peyton's presence at her hospital bed, to which she reluctantly agrees, during which time Elena declares her true love for Peyton and explains that their liberal preacher had engage in sexual intercourse with her to reward them with the child that they had so ardently desired, and the two resolve to take each other's hand in marriage in a movie that heavily criticizes the teachings of Christianity and unreasonable dogma of this ridiculous religion. Highly recommended.

Loved this film. Thought the acting was outstanding by the leading ladies. Hard to believe they were "acting" since I was convinced they were really in love. The husband "Barry" was perfect for the role of the preacher with a problem understanding that its actually possible for people to love someone of the same sex. The son Nash wasn't as convincing playing the role of the son that discovers his mother's little secret. Not sure why the film needed to be set as a documentary versus just letting it play out as a standard movie. Tended to distract from the movie in my opinion. The ending was a different. Not sure why they needed to move forward 6 months and then try to tie up the lose ends. I guess having the ladies walk off into the sunset would be too mundane. The film held my attention. Especially during the scenes involving the two lead characters. This has to be the longest kiss ever in a film. Bravo! Worth the money to buy this DVD and keep it in your library of great Lesbian films.

before I review this movie. let me tell you my favorites. it is very hard to judge a review from someone, if you're really not sure you even like the same style.. my top 3 Favorites..... now elena undone, loving annabelle, imagine me & you. I also love, I can't think straight, claire of the moon, gray matters. Hope this helps. this isn't just an absolute must see. this is an absolute must own. from start to finish I was enthrawled, inspired, and lost myself in this movie. I can't seem to watch anything else. although I am a fan of claire of the moon. this movie truly shows nicole conn at the absolute top of her game. the cinematography, and the script cannot be touched. the characters not only beautiful, captivate you immediately. you find yourself embarking on a journey that saddens you when it has to come to a close. 2 women who find friendship, admiration, equality, love and the truth behind the meaning of.....soulmates. yes, again as in many movies 1 of them of course is married, to top it off her husband is a preacher. and although it sounds of the typical. lesbian meets straight married woman and converts her,,, bla bla. it is truly nothing of the sort Elena has a love for photography. but of course manages a family so her love for taking pictures takes a backseat. peyton is a writer, of course the lesbian in the movie. and finds a real admiration for elena's work. as does elena for peyton. how'd they meet is classic. how this friendship begins is divine. Elena finds herself attracted to the spirit of peyton and soon doesn't know how to be away from her friend. Peyton on the other hand, finds herself in a place she never thought she'd be. this movie also has the longest homosexual or heterosexual on screen kiss in history. the love scenes , yes I said scenes, plural. are erotic, passionate, tantalating and show the true depth of love between 2 women. 2 women who fall in love with each other, not the gender that is so common in a lot of lesbian movies. you'll grow as a person, as u r touched by the kindred spirits of these characters. you will lose yourself in their world. you will regain faith through their journey. and you will open your heart to believe that you can fall in love all over AGAIN.... this movie is intoxicating and u will want to watch it over and over again. definitely the best money I have ever spent. there is no way and I repeat no way you could possibly be disappointed in this movie. finally a movie that totally takes u in. I laughed, I cried and I found a reason to believe that my soul mate may still be out there. trust enough to buy this video. and let this be one regret you WON'T have in your life.

Its not what i thought at all it should not have brought religion into it at all and the weak music playing in the back ground over kill ))) kissing was good nudity good then Drama then you have a gay guy came into the movie to tell about relationships more so i felt for those kind if people which i find in all disturbing and wrong )) i got this movie for the hope of good woman on woman intimacy uncut but it was all fake acting waste of money its like their trying so hard to make it a real love story BETWEEN A LESBIAN AND A STRAIGHT WOMAN THAT'S MARRIED To a paster of a church and all they did is turn it into BS. MOVIE LIKE WHO'S BETTER IN BED THEN THE Jealousy from her new lover against her husband its a joke like their so in love with eachother its ((BS)) i only watched the second half the sex scene then the trash seriously i broke it up in peace just being honest a Man and woman is the only relationship it should be its how i feel iam a straight Man but love to watch woman doing the deed but only as a entertainment only nothing more i have the right to speak for how i feel and donot give a f if people disagree with me those relationships are a ((Abomination))

Watching this film was a breath of fresh air. Its been made with love and attention and the leading characters are beautiful and believable. These actresses defiantly had some real chemistry going on. A heart warming film with great balance between humor and serious attraction and feelings which in my opinion is fantastically portrayed by the two beautiful leading ladies. Y ou will watch this DVD more then once. Great soundtrack also. Good Job!

Comme beaucoup je suis allée voir les commentaires avant d'acheter "Elena Undone", en les lisants je me suis ravisée sur son achat. Puis il y a quelques semaines j'ai regardé des extraits sur YouTube, et me suis dis que toute compte fait il n'avait pas l'air mal, alors je me suis lancée. Depuis que je l'ai reçu je l'ai regardé plusieurs fois, et même après toutes ces pages de commentaires négatifs qu'il y a avant, je ne peux que vous dire une chose, c'est que j'adore ce film (amour, humour, tolérance, et j'en passe), et en plus deux femmes sublimes. Et comme l'on dit, il en faut pour tout les goûts et cela dans tous les sens du terme.

I loved the story line. Traci Dinwiddie and co star are amazing, love their work.

Da vedere senza se e senza ma.

1.映像も綺麗だけど、音楽もステキです。 2.英語がわからないので、ストーリーはなんとなく理解できた程度ですが、主演二人の演技は素晴らしい。（日本語の字幕はありませんが英語はあります） 特に、エレーナ役のNecar Zadeganは、人生とはこんなものだと諦めていた主婦（牧師の妻）が、思いがけない出会いから恋に落ち、 だんだん綺麗なっていく過程が、私的には見所の一つと思う。 不思議なのは、メチャ綺麗なエレーナとそうでもないエレーナが混在するこの映画は、どっちが本物？と。 その点、ペイトン役のTraci Dinwiddeは、変わらず同じなので、エレーナは、見る角度や光線の具合で変わるのかなとも。 でも実物は、メチャメチャ綺麗なんでしょうね。この映画でも、ハッと息をのむ程の美しいシーンもあるし、 思わず微笑むかわいいシーンもある。ペイトンを自分から初めて愛した後、そんな自分に気づいて、恥ずかしそうに笑いペイトンの肩にうずくまるエレーナ。 ここはとても短いけど、めちゃかわいいのでスゴく好きです。 もうひとつ好きなシーンは、様々な出来事があり、やっと会えて、公園の石の上に寄り添って座る二人。 エレーナは嬉しそうにペイトンの腕を取り、ぴったりとくっつく。ペイトンは複雑な顔、別れを告げに来たから。 それを知らずに幸せそうにペイトンの肩にもたれかかるエレーナは、初めて恋をした少女のよう。 背筋を伸ばして真っすぐ遠くを見つめ、不倫に罪悪感を持つペイトンと、人生で初めて幸せを得たエレーナとのギャップが描かれたシーン。 エレーナを演じるNecar Zadeganの、短いけどさりげない少女のような演技が好きです。 3.ナレーションが、状況やいきさつ、今後の展開を語っていたとは思うけど、よく理解できなかった。 4.ハッピーエンドで終わってくれたので良かった。欲を言えば、もう少しハッピーになってからの二人も見たかった。 5.ラブシーンもあるが、逆光を使い美しく撮られているし、ここの音楽も綺麗でこのシーンを盛り上げていると思う。 6.小道具で雑な部分があり、思わず笑ってしまったシーンもあるが、ここが日本との違い。間違い探しの一つと思って探してみてください。 ちなみに、リージョン1なので、ウチのDVDで見られないかと思いましたが、チャンとみられました。 Macはダメでしたが、ウインドウズでも見る事が出来ました。