Division movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Division

This dramatic movie is now available to stream online.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 39 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

This political dramedy was directed by Jason Winn, and written by Jaime Andrews. Jaime Andrews also stars in the movie.

According to the studio, the story is about Andi James, a minor actress who has moved to Atlanta with her inattentive fiance, Zach. With nothing else to do with her time during the pandemic, she starts vlogging. In doing so, she connects deeply with her fan, Mason, and is tempted by his romantic attention. With a mother who just wants her to have a baby, her friend Delaney, who fans the flames of her desire, and her neighbor, Aya, who confirms how out of place she is in her new neighborhood, Jaime attempts to connect to the chaotic world around her. As the volatile presidential election approaches, Jaime is horrified by the machinations of the Trump regime, not realizing that Mason is not only a MAGA follower but is willing to go to great lengths to keep Trump in power, under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Mark. When Jaime and Mason’s inevitable confrontation goes viral, it leads to consequences for them both which ripple far beyond her quiet southern street.

THINGS I LIKED:

When the movie starts, we see these words written on the screen: “This story is true…except for what isn’t.” ha ha That made me laugh and instantly intrigued me.
I hadn’t seen most of the actors in anything before. The cast includes Jaime Andrews, Joshua Payne, David Lee Garver, Amanda Celine Miller, K.D. O’Hair, Sandra Lee-Oian Tho and James Carey. I just happened to watch Jerry & Marge Go Large and immediately recognized K.D. O’Hair in that movie after seeing this one!
Jaime Andrews is talented and has a natural, fun vibe with a snarky attitude. I’d like to see her in more films. Because she wrote the film, I wonder if her character shares her own, personal political views or did she create a character on the extreme side of the Democrat party.
Joshua Payne gave off a little Matthew McConaughey quality, mostly for the accent, I think. I really wanted to trim his beard every time he was on screen. And that hanging snot scene…EESH! He and Jaime Andrews had some chemistry on-screen and I wondered where the story would take us. I was not prepared for the ending!
The movie takes place in Georgia where I lived for 15 years! You can feel the Southern Hospitality there. My family and I loved living there, but OH, that humidity and those nasty fire ants!
We see lots of clips from real-life newsreels that make it look like everything that happens is authentic.
The dialogue is entertaining and sometimes, even profound.
There is a lot of dark humor and irony in the storytelling.
Some of the scenes truly capture how we felt during quarantine.
I love it when movies reference other movies. Listen out for the mention of When Harry Met Sally. That’s such a great movie.
One thing the movie does very well is to illustrate how deeply divided some citizens of our country are, even to the point of true hatred for those on the opposite side of the political spectrum. It’s a sad statement on the state of our country and how far we have gotten from the “E Pluribus Unum” idealogy our Founding Fathers hoped for. Are we doomed as a country if we can’t come together and talk about our differences? The movie will definitely make you feel something, which is the mark of a powerful indie film.
The movie also takes a look at “settling” when it comes to relationships. Would you rather have a relationship where you feel comfortable or one that feels risky and exciting?

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some of the characters are foul-mouthed jerks. I wouldn’t really want to hang out with any of the characters in the film.
I didn’t like the fiancé at all. You could tell the black dog didn’t like him either in a scene at the end of the movie because it was trying to get away from him.
Both sides of the political spectrum are extreme representations. You’ll probably be offended and angry by something said or done in the movie no matter which side you’re on. The film makes Republicans look like uncaring, gun-toting, violent crazies. Democrats are represented as drugged-out baby killers who think they’re morally superior for their woke idealogy. All of them spew profanities and unfair judgments on one another. Do you think those types of characters truly represent the average citizen and how they feel about politics today?
Some viewers might complain that the movie just meanders and moves too slowly. What do YOU think?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be completely bored.
Profanity, F-bombs, crude and offensive language, and the “N” word
An unmarried couple lives together.
Talk of people who have a drinking problem.
Two women do drugs together. A character talks about her trips.
Alcohol, cigarettes
Kissing with tongue
Guns and blood.
Crude conversations

THEMES:

Cheating
Friendship
Politics
Covid
Morality
Ethics
Vlogging
Family
Signs
Relationships
Fans & celebrity
Truth vs. Lies
Fate
Gentrification
Racism
Democrats vs. Republicans vs. Socialists

FUNNY LINES:

“I’m feeling utterly feckless.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)
“Are you talking to me?” – Mason Dennis (Joshua Payne) “No, I’m talking to the dog; he’s just as likely to answer.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)
“Chicks get dangerous when they get brains.” – Mark (David Lee Garver)
“You think theater is done?” – K.D. O’Hair (Delaney Keats) “I think this country might be.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)
“Old people die of Covid. You are an old people.” – Mason Dennis (Joshua Payne)
“I am morally impeachable.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I wanted a challenge and now I’ve got one.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)
“You don’t think people who are different can love each other?” – Mason Dennis (Joshua Payne)
“Two broken people never works.” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)
“Do you leave something good for something that’s great?” – Andi James (Jaime Andrews)