Ben Gourley Movies
Wunderkind writer/director-cum-actor Ben Gourley garnered his initial film experience in front of the camera, with a small roles in such feature outings as the contemporary Mormon-themed romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice (2003) and the 2006 romantic comedy Love and Mary. Gourley then struck out on his own as a filmmaker, by headlining, scripting, and directing the road comedy Moving McAllister (2007). In that farce, the multihyphenate plays an aspiring Miami-area attorney-to-be who gets in over his head (way over his head) when he agrees to help the partner of his law firm (Rutger Hauer) move. Little does he realize that the fellow's new home is in Los Angeles -- and that he must figure out a way to make it to California and back in four days, to give himself enough time to take the dreaded bar exam. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
An ambitious young intern at a prestigious Miami law firm finds his dreams of passing the bar and becoming a real lawyer thrown into question when he hastily agrees to help one of the firm's partners move -- only to discover that the attorney's new home is in Los Angeles. Rick Robinson (Ben Gourley) has what it takes to become a great lawyer, the only trouble is that he's a bit of a pushover. Though today he spends most of his time copying documents and dreaming of courtroom debate, in four short days he will take the bar and begin his professional career. Upon stepping into the office elevator and noticing one of the firm's partners, Maxwell McAllister (Rutger Hauer), the starstruck Rick jumps at the chance to help the counselor move. His patience is put to the ultimate test, however, when he arrives at the lawyer's house to find a mountain of boxes and a note demanding that he hire a moving truck and drive the load to Los Angeles. As if that weren't bad enough, the lawyer's pet pig and spoiled, college-dropout daughter, Michele (Mila Kunis), will be joining him on the drive. Not only does the tempestuous Southern belle seem intent on sabotaging Rick at every turn, but by the time he arrives in L.A. he will have to jump on a plane and race home in order to take the bar exam on time. Strong bonds have a funny way of forming in tense situations, though, and before Rick and Michele know it, they can't stand the idea of being apart. Moving McAllister also co-stars Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Gourley, Mila Kunis, (more)
A woman pulling a minor scam to keep her dream business alive digs herself in deeper when she becomes involved with a goofy ex-con in this independent comedy from first-time director Elizabeth Harrison. Mary Wilson (Lauren German) was born and raised in Texas, but by the time she became an adult she'd grown tired of her off-the-wall family and moved East to build a career for herself. Mary is an expert chef who has opened an upscale bakeshop, but some bad press and a severe rent increase could put her out of business. Desperate to keep the store afloat, Mary decides to bite the bullet and go back to Texas for a visit; her plan is to bring along her fiancé Brent (Gabriel Mann), introduce him to her folks, and hope their engagement gifts will bring enough cash to pay off her creditors. However, a severe allergic reaction prevents Brent from going; Mary can't afford to postpone the trip, so she brings along Brent's twin brother Jake (also played by Mann), an irresponsible jailbird, to impersonate her intended as she pumps her family for money. Love and Mary received its world premiere at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lauren German, Gabriel Mann, (more)
Having lived a sheltered childhood while her absentee parents traveled all over the world, artist Abby Morrison (Shiri Appleby) has developed an extraordinarily vivid imagination, but her grasp on reality is tenuous at best. Now the roommate of Jessica Lindstrom (Alexandra Holden), Abby agrees to tutor Jessica's cousin Quinn (Nick Zano), a selfish and cynical college student. Much to her surprise, Abby is attracted to Quinn, helping him to come out of his shell and develop his own artistic talents. But when it comes to romance, Jessica remains true to her "dream man" Sy (Orlando Seale), who poses for her paintings and shares all of her likes and dislikes -- and whom nobody but Abby has ever seen. Based on a play by Natalie Prado, the made-for-cable Everything You Want premiered April 17, 2005, on the ABC Family Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shiri Appleby, Nick Zano, (more)
Utah-based filmmaker Andrew Black makes his feature debut with Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy. The screenplay is an adaptation of the original Jane Austen novel, updated to reflect the contemporary dating situation among Mormons at Brigham Young University. Kam Heskin plays Elizabeth, an independent student who repeatedly rejects the advances of suave Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire). She lives with four roommates: best friend Jane (Lucila Solá), nerdy gal Mary (Rainy Kerwin), and the marriage-obsessed sisters Lydia (Kelly Stables) and Kitty (Nicole Hamilton). Jane starts dating the wealthy Charles Bingley (Ben Gourley), who brings around his British friend Darcy (Orlando Seale). At first, Elizabeth thinks Darcy is overly pompous, but he grows quite fond of her headstrong intelligence. Meanwhile, Charles' evil sister Caroline (Kara Holden) competes for Darcy's affections. Pride & Prejudice opened in a limited number of Salt Lake City-area theaters in December 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kam Heskin, Orlando Seale, (more)
