Zack's Crush Journey

Zack's Crush Journey

Bruce Von Stiers

An unfortunate incident occurred at a video store in a small Maine town. As a result of that incident, nine-year-old Zack comes into possession of a video of the film Anna. That film starred Sally Kirkland. Zack formed an immediate and long-term infatuation with Sally Kirkland.

That is how the comedy film Sallywood starts out. It's a bit of a coming-of-age film but is much more than that. It deals with fleeting stardom and Hollywood ageism.

As the film moves forward, Zack is now a young adult and wants to go to Hollywood to write for television and films. His mom doesn't want him to go. She wants him to work at the lumberyard with his dad. But his dad doesn't seem to mind so much. So, off Zack goes to Hollywood.

As Zack transverses the country to get to Hollywood from Maine, there are some interviews with people. George Corrigan and Kathryn, his ex-wife, are interviewed. Later in the film, it is revealed that George had at one time been a big-time director. And that Kathyrn is now becoming a major player as a former actor turned director. Also interviewed is Venetia Boyd, who purports to be a literary agent. And then there's this agent named Clem who is interviewed. He seems to be a bit of a sleazeball.

Zack moves in with a up and coming filmmaker, Tom. And meets Bibi and Poundcake, who both have had questionable film roles. And a chance sighting of Sally Kirkwood leads Zack to follow her. And that begins a strange, yet comical journey for Zack.

Zack ends up becoming Sally's assistant. She wants to get re-established as a possible A Lister actor and Zack wants to get his foot in the door as a Hollywood screenwriter. They both have ambition but not the proper contacts to make it happen. Tom convinces Sally to star in his turkey of a sci-fi zombie film. But in and around that plot element are scenes of Sally and Zack getting close, forming a bond stronger than just him being her assistant. Later, Zack gets a job as an assistant to television producer, Ned Levitt.

The film circles around the adage that once a woman reaches a certain age, or has a certain reputation, she no longer gets starring roles in film or television. In this film, there is a scene where Sally mentions, by name, several of the big named stars she slept with. So, there's the reputation part. But ageism is prevalent in the film as well. Her agent Clem can't seem to get her a role in anything, not even a commercial, seemingly because of her age. But it is also just not women who seem to be shunned. In his interviews, George Carrigan talks about how people in the industry tend to forget about you after a while, no matter if you had won awards in the past.

Tyler Steelman starred as Zack. He previously co-starred in This Game's Called Murder and The Wake of Light. Tom Connolly was Tom. He played John F. Kennedy in a sci-fi drama film and appeared in two episodes of the Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life.

Eric Roberts was terrific as the sleazy agent Clem. A known commodity in starring or guest roles in film and television, he has over eight hundred screen credits. Maria Conchita Alonso was also good as the supposed literary agent, Venitia Boyd. She co-starred in a Predator film and opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Running Man. Nikki Tuazon was Bibi and Angeline-Rose Troy was Poundcake.

Jennifer Tilly was great as Zack's overprotective mom. A staple of the Chucky franchise, she has well over a hundred screen credits. Lenny von Dohlen played Zack's dad. He had a recurring role in Twin Peaks and appeared in thrillers such as Threshold. Michael Lerner played television producer Ned Levitt. His screen credits total almost two hundred film and television appearances.

Keith Carradine was former directing legend George Carrigan. From co-starring in Nashville and Pretty Baby to playing the President in Madame Secretary, he's had an extensive acting career. I especially liked him in the slasher thriller Blackout.

Kay Lenz played the former actor turned director Kathryn Corrigan. From starring in Lisa Bright and Dark to appearing in films such as The Downside of Bliss, she has over a hundred screen credits. When I was a kid, she kind of reminded me of a girl from my neighborhood that I had a crush on. So, you might say that I had a bit of a celebrity crush on her like Zack had on Sally.

Appearing in various roles in the film were Danny De Lillo, Jesse Lambert, Kaylee Ferguson, Mann Alfonso, Sigi Ravet, Lars Norgaard, Sean Walker, Maggie Wagner, Vanessa Dubasso, Clent Bowers, Doris Davis, Susan Harmon, Joe Russell and Lucas Kystek.

And, of course, Sally Kirkland played herself.

Songs in the film included Breakaway sung by Toni Basil, Carol of the Bells sung by Jim Covell, Mexican Sombrero by Jim Covell, Question Mark by Tom Strahle, Hollywont and I Don't Know What It Is by Rufus Wainwright and Sallywood by Smokey Miles.

Sallywood was written and directed by Xaque Gruber. He was the assistant to the producer for several TV Land awards shows. He also worked on a few television shows reunion specials. He did, in real life, serve as Sally Kirkland's assistant for a little while. That was the inspiration for the film. In fact at the end of the film Zack tells Sally he's going to write a screenplay about her.

The cinematographer was Mathias Fain. He has worked as a set dresser on films such as Cloverfield and Meet Dave and was cinematographer on several short films.

The film was produced by Steven Wolfe. He produced the remake of Valley Girl along with The Prank and Ray Meets Helen. The casting was done by Valerie McCaffrey, who was also an associate producer for the film.

As sometimes happens, this film took a long time to bring to the public. The last day of filming was in November of 2019. Two of the cast, Lenny Van Dohlen and Michael Lerner have died since the filming.

As I mentioned at the start, this is more than a film about Zack coming of age and finding his way in the world. It showcases an intergenerational friendship that starts with a celebrity crush and deals with fleeting fame and ageism. The film is better when the friendship between Zack and Sally shines through and the typical Hollywood cliches move to the side. But are they really cliches or does art imitate real life in this instance?

Sallywood has won several film festival awards. Those awards include Best Feature Film from the Los Angeles International Film Festival, Best Actor for Tyler Steelman from the California Indies and Best Original Screenplay from the Silicon Beach Festival. Sally Kirkland received the Best Actor award from the Santa Clarita International Film Festival. The film has received over 40 awards so far.

To learn more about Sallywood and where you might be able to see it at, visit the film's official website at https://sallywoodmovie.com/ The website has a trailer for the film as well.

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