I loved this gem of an indie film from beginning to end. I didn't even take a snack break or play around with my iPhone. I was hooked out of the gate! I loved the story and it's so relevant for what's going on today. Exceptional acting!! All of the actors did such a good job. And bravo to the actor!! The film moved along at a good pace. Well done folks! I hope to see more in the future from these talented people!!
34 Reviews
touching and inspirational
williamgway31 August 2020
Very well done movie. An excellent ensemble cast that deals with the important subject of mental health in relationships. The three leads do an outstanding job and the writing is powerful. I recommend a watch of this one.
Powerful story
gpigville3 September 2020
This is a story about dealing with trauma and how that trauma can follow us even when we're trying to move past it. It follows Erica who moves to California to forget about a tragic event. The film opens in the middle of the aftermath of that event and we see her trying to process that as she starts new relationships and meets with a new group of damaged people who are all trying to help each other heal. This is a very moving film dealing very realistically with confronting topics that should have a light shined on them.
Gripping
NUDavis859-113 November 2020
With a powerful cast, the writer and director tells a gripping story about friendship and how does one move on from traumatic events. The story could have easily been mishandled but the writer, cast, and director take you into the emotions that comes with "survivor's guilt" and keep you in there until you can feel what the characters feel. What makes it also work is the story does not shy away with easy answers to the events but give a realistic take on what one must endure and what each character still must continually fight through even by credits end. This is a tale on what it takes to persevere and thrive in life and what happens if you don't and hide from life. Nicely done.
Touching movie
AvaCincotti30 November 2020
This indie movie explores the struggles of three young adults, especially their mental health. The script is solid, the acting and directing good. The movie takes a deep look at trauma, depression, PTSD and shows how hard it is to move on and have a "normal" life after a trauma. It also shows that people are not alone, they can find help into other compassionate people who can relate to their traumas.
true to life
mich1elle1 September 2020
Relatable and Sympathetic Characters
GilbertS-8518 November 2020
The Extraordinary Ordinary is a solid indie drama. The relatable characters (and the acting) helped me connect to the story and experience the film's emotional core that deals with mental health issues. The direction and writing are authentic and makes this a near-perfect young adult-ish drama.
A Heartwarming Indie About Mental Health
JGReviews14 November 2020
The Extraordinary Ordinary is a heartwarming indie about young people coping with mental health issues. I was drawn in by the film festival accolades and found the movie to be a worthwhile watch myself. The story concerns a student who moves to Southern California for a new beginning and discovers that she is not alone in her mental health challenges. The film is raw look at trauma, love, recovery, and community within this social circle and it feels like an authentic glimpse into real life circumstances as well.
First-Time Feature Filmmaker Natalie Rodriguez Mines Mental Health in "The Extraordinary Ordinary"
jtncsmistad4 September 2020
"The Extraordinary Ordinary"(2020): Embracing Uncommon Resilience
Anxiety and depression have both touched my life. They are far less prominent now. For a variety of reasons. Primary among these is the love and support of my family and friends.
This is the essence of the new independent drama "The Extraordinary Ordinary". We all, to paraphrase the enduring poetry of The Beatles, get by with a little help from our friends. Find our reason for being. Our purpose with which to flourish.
I spoke with filmmaker Natalie Rodriguez about "The Extraordinary Ordinary", her first feature motion picture.
"The Extraordinary Ordinary" is truly your baby, having written, directed and exec produced here. Clearly, this is a story you are driven to tell. What inspired you?
Growing up, I used to ask a lot of questions, especially when it came to mental health and wellness. The story was first 'born' when I was a junior in high school. For weeks, I kept thinking about the main character, ERICA (played by Maddison Bullock in the movie), and her journey of finding solace and healing from her own past. It almost felt like an obsession and I wanted to know her story. What pushed me, and I am sure most of the cast and crew could express the same, to get through the production/filming of this project was the rejection process.
Whether that was, rejection by an agent, manager, studio, and even a now-former boss telling me that I would 'fail' at making this movie, it only motivated me to get the project done. There is also a big stigma I continue to hear by some people in the industry how talking about recovery and mental health is a 'bad thing'. That always baffles me because mental health is part of health, therefore, if we go to the doctors for our annual physical, then why can't we do the same for our mind?
Anxiety and depression were once prominent in my life. They are not now. I never went to a place where I wanted to hurt myself. However, this is a subject explored in your film. If you would, please share your personal thoughts on mental health, and about those who struggle with emotional and psychological issues in their lives?
Of course! Until this day, it still bothers me how there is shame around mental health, wellness, and particularly, anxiety and depression. As someone who has been in counseling on and off for the past eight years, it truly does HELP to get help. Especially during this pandemic, I believe it is opening up more eyes on mental health and how people are seeking treatment and/or recognizing they need help themselves. But it is also a process, too. I think people, especially during a pandemic, need to be patient with themselves. Even I am still learning to do so. It is why I strongly recommend people to give counseling a try at least ONCE and see if it is for them. Plus, there could be a lot of good that comes with speaking to someone who is not part of your inner circle but a stranger.
I lost my precious mother earlier this year. One of the characters in "The Extraordinary Ordinary" has, as well. The scene in which this heartbroken son describes his mom as never seeing herself as special, and always only wishing that those she cares about are happy, touched me deeply. This is my mother. Parents play a crucial role in your film, whether it be noxious or nurturing. As the fiercely proud dad of three remarkable sons, would you talk with us about your feelings regarding the critical role, and lasting impact, we all have as parents of our children?
My sincere condolences! Our leading man, ALEX (played by Alex Montalban), actually used this scene as his audition. I watched his audition like 3-4 times and cried each time. There was just so much sincerity and empathy Alex Montalban delivered in the lines during the scene. It is one of my favorite scenes because, to me, even children often have to remind their parental guardian(s) how amazing they truly are.
"The Extraordinary Ordinary" tackles different standpoints of how we see parents portrayed. To me, I always felt that to be realistic, where parents are supportive while others are not. As we see with our main character, ERICA, she leans heavily on her father, ROB (played by John Posey), as she and her mother, CATHY (played by Della Lisi Kerr), disagree on multiple life matters. But in reality, someone such as CATHY is actually in a lot of pain herself and is unaware of it. For me, growing up I saw how much my parents were impacted by the decisions of their parents, and it sort of becomes a cycle, until it is broken. I think in my family, in this case, it is getting help by going to counseling and doing the work to not repeat the sins of our parents.
Aside from success, what do you genuinely want to accomplish with your films moving forward, Natalie?
For me, the ultimate dream is to make an audience feel something after they watch a film. The most impactful thing a creator can do is to get their audience thinking, whether they agree or disagree with something that was said or done in the film. That is something I hope my work can continue (to do) in the years to come. To me, success is all about being content - not the glitz and glam aspect - but hoping your audience sees the passion in the work and feels that way, too.
Anxiety and depression have both touched my life. They are far less prominent now. For a variety of reasons. Primary among these is the love and support of my family and friends.
This is the essence of the new independent drama "The Extraordinary Ordinary". We all, to paraphrase the enduring poetry of The Beatles, get by with a little help from our friends. Find our reason for being. Our purpose with which to flourish.
I spoke with filmmaker Natalie Rodriguez about "The Extraordinary Ordinary", her first feature motion picture.
"The Extraordinary Ordinary" is truly your baby, having written, directed and exec produced here. Clearly, this is a story you are driven to tell. What inspired you?
Growing up, I used to ask a lot of questions, especially when it came to mental health and wellness. The story was first 'born' when I was a junior in high school. For weeks, I kept thinking about the main character, ERICA (played by Maddison Bullock in the movie), and her journey of finding solace and healing from her own past. It almost felt like an obsession and I wanted to know her story. What pushed me, and I am sure most of the cast and crew could express the same, to get through the production/filming of this project was the rejection process.
Whether that was, rejection by an agent, manager, studio, and even a now-former boss telling me that I would 'fail' at making this movie, it only motivated me to get the project done. There is also a big stigma I continue to hear by some people in the industry how talking about recovery and mental health is a 'bad thing'. That always baffles me because mental health is part of health, therefore, if we go to the doctors for our annual physical, then why can't we do the same for our mind?
Anxiety and depression were once prominent in my life. They are not now. I never went to a place where I wanted to hurt myself. However, this is a subject explored in your film. If you would, please share your personal thoughts on mental health, and about those who struggle with emotional and psychological issues in their lives?
Of course! Until this day, it still bothers me how there is shame around mental health, wellness, and particularly, anxiety and depression. As someone who has been in counseling on and off for the past eight years, it truly does HELP to get help. Especially during this pandemic, I believe it is opening up more eyes on mental health and how people are seeking treatment and/or recognizing they need help themselves. But it is also a process, too. I think people, especially during a pandemic, need to be patient with themselves. Even I am still learning to do so. It is why I strongly recommend people to give counseling a try at least ONCE and see if it is for them. Plus, there could be a lot of good that comes with speaking to someone who is not part of your inner circle but a stranger.
I lost my precious mother earlier this year. One of the characters in "The Extraordinary Ordinary" has, as well. The scene in which this heartbroken son describes his mom as never seeing herself as special, and always only wishing that those she cares about are happy, touched me deeply. This is my mother. Parents play a crucial role in your film, whether it be noxious or nurturing. As the fiercely proud dad of three remarkable sons, would you talk with us about your feelings regarding the critical role, and lasting impact, we all have as parents of our children?
My sincere condolences! Our leading man, ALEX (played by Alex Montalban), actually used this scene as his audition. I watched his audition like 3-4 times and cried each time. There was just so much sincerity and empathy Alex Montalban delivered in the lines during the scene. It is one of my favorite scenes because, to me, even children often have to remind their parental guardian(s) how amazing they truly are.
"The Extraordinary Ordinary" tackles different standpoints of how we see parents portrayed. To me, I always felt that to be realistic, where parents are supportive while others are not. As we see with our main character, ERICA, she leans heavily on her father, ROB (played by John Posey), as she and her mother, CATHY (played by Della Lisi Kerr), disagree on multiple life matters. But in reality, someone such as CATHY is actually in a lot of pain herself and is unaware of it. For me, growing up I saw how much my parents were impacted by the decisions of their parents, and it sort of becomes a cycle, until it is broken. I think in my family, in this case, it is getting help by going to counseling and doing the work to not repeat the sins of our parents.
Aside from success, what do you genuinely want to accomplish with your films moving forward, Natalie?
For me, the ultimate dream is to make an audience feel something after they watch a film. The most impactful thing a creator can do is to get their audience thinking, whether they agree or disagree with something that was said or done in the film. That is something I hope my work can continue (to do) in the years to come. To me, success is all about being content - not the glitz and glam aspect - but hoping your audience sees the passion in the work and feels that way, too.
I love how real this is
directortim201213 November 2020
I know people who deal with PTSD and bi-polar conditions. It's a daily struggle, yet so very human. This film does an amazing job of capturing that complex reality. Not by glossing over things or giving these characters a Hollywood treatment. But by showing them in a candid, mature, yet heartfelt way. It's all incredibly relatable, even to those of us lucky enough not to struggle with such difficult mental health issues. On top of all that, this is a really well made and acted film. And oh so affecting.
Well done with good acting and a solid story
baccaruda11 September 2021
I know the people in this movie. And the actors the Extraordinary Ordinary made me feel like I knew them as well. We all deal with life's traumas in different ways, but in the end we are not an island - we need people to help us through. Lead actress Maddison Bullock (Erica) is extraordinarily appealing, and the actors surrounding her are all quite good. In this viewer's opinion, the color is washed out, especially toward the beginning of the movie. This may have been an intentional metaphor, as Erica is leading trying to heal an emotional trauma and sealing herself off from the potential vibrancy of a full life, but if this is the case, it could have been handled differently. Movies are a visual medium after all, and adjusting the color and contrast would have made the film far better looking. That said, this a well done Indie with solid production values, a touching story, and good direction.
Touching film that is very relatable
lindapalmer25 November 2020
Touching drama
daria-nazarova1 September 2021
Poignant and uplifting drama
robinhoodinmoscow23 January 2021
Beautiful film! Natalie Rodriguez delivers a poignant and important drama. The Extraordinary Ordinary is an original and subtle take on mental health issues and a possible path to recovery. The human struggle is powerfully conveyed by the cast, particularly John Posey and Maddison Bullock.
Cute little indie film
anjanipandey9 March 2021
A moving and authentic indie film.
evelyne-87 December 2020
I really enjoyed this moving indie film. What I loved about the Extraordinary Ordinary is that it felt very authentic and real. The main character is struggling with anxiety about a previous event and how to cope with it as she moves away to find her own strength and independance. It was really well told and acted.
Navigating Mental Illness
catheraneskillen30 October 2022
This is the story of three college-age young adults who each have their own emotional upheavals to deal with and who become friends. Too many people probably struggle in silence, hiding their pain beneath a quiet exterior as does Erica. Slow moving and with little dialogue at times but is always filled with emotional presence. As this film points out, there are times when those closest to the traumatized individual behave in a way that exacerbates the problem, having tendencies to bring their own baggage into the equation. Very good performances, especially from Maddison Bullock, Alex Montalban, Ana Marte, and John Posey.
Heartwarming and relatable
sitebpro27 January 2021
Heartwarming and relatable, cute little indie film. Very well paced and edited. I thought the cinematography had a very grounded look and feel. I loved the use of negative framing. I think the movie did a good job at understanding its budget and letting it play to its advantage. Good directing and handling of the actors. Who all do a good job with the material. Bonus points for raising Mental Health awareness too!
Thought-provoking and moving
helmetsandshades25 July 2022
Glad I took a chance on this little indie. Well-made and well-acted. A compelling story about trauma and mental illness. For anyone who's ever known someone who struggles with mental health issue -- you'll feel seen and validated. Bravo.
Slice of Life Indie Drama
julianbaner17 December 2020
A naturalistic look at the difficulties of a young freshman in college overcoming mental health issues. The film is touching in its empathetic way of looking at all the main characters, while drawing realism from the strong performances and true-to-life writing. Very relatable, and a great watch.
Great Indie Film
schrades2210 December 2020
A coming of age drama ripe for today's world.
mettlesetdesigner4 June 2023
The Extraordinary Ordinary is a movie involving several troubled characters and their tragic pasts. It shows the challenges and struggles that people with mental health issues have to deal with within their daily lives but it does it in a relatable and very elegent way. Many of the characters are played like the girl next door which makes them relatable and realistic. I found myself connecting with the movies message because the characters are so down to earth and relatable. It is a different type of coming of age movie compared to what we have seen in the past and that's a good thing because today's world is nothing like the past. So if you're looking for a coming of age drama ripe for today's world, check out this movie.
Empathetic and realistic depiction of mental health in young people
andrewwalshfilms22 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Extraordinary Ordinary is the story of Erica (Maddison Bullock) an 18 year old who has just graduated high school after surviving a vicious sexual assault that has derailed her life.
She is keen to leave the familiarity of New York to explore the great unknown enrolling in university in California to pursue her passion of photography and most importantly to get away from her overbearing and overprotective mother portrayed who is clearly still racked with guilt.
Erica's new life on campus is anything but smooth as she battles homesickness overwhelming school work and an navigating increasing number of crass men whose intentions are anything but good.
Erica finds a lighthouse in the form of her two classmates Bianca (Ana Marte) and Alex (Alex Montalban) who have some mental challenges of their own which they're dealing with in their own individual way.
The trio quickly become inseparable bonding over being outsiders but as they get closer to each other you get the sense their dynamic may be doing more harm then good especially to Erica.
Writer and director Natalie Rodriguez portrays her actors with a keen humanistic eye especially utilizing many long takes and tight close ups making it literally impossible to look the other way at actor and her friends trials and tribulations.
Unlike similar films like Silver Lining Playbook or or Infinitely Polar Bear Natalie shuns the fairytale ending.
Mental health is a complex thing and the road to recovery can take a lifetime.
After the end I had this feeling these characters have barely scratched the surface and begun their journey but couldn't help but feel proud of the small and significant steps they each take through the film.
She is keen to leave the familiarity of New York to explore the great unknown enrolling in university in California to pursue her passion of photography and most importantly to get away from her overbearing and overprotective mother portrayed who is clearly still racked with guilt.
Erica's new life on campus is anything but smooth as she battles homesickness overwhelming school work and an navigating increasing number of crass men whose intentions are anything but good.
Erica finds a lighthouse in the form of her two classmates Bianca (Ana Marte) and Alex (Alex Montalban) who have some mental challenges of their own which they're dealing with in their own individual way.
The trio quickly become inseparable bonding over being outsiders but as they get closer to each other you get the sense their dynamic may be doing more harm then good especially to Erica.
Writer and director Natalie Rodriguez portrays her actors with a keen humanistic eye especially utilizing many long takes and tight close ups making it literally impossible to look the other way at actor and her friends trials and tribulations.
Unlike similar films like Silver Lining Playbook or or Infinitely Polar Bear Natalie shuns the fairytale ending.
Mental health is a complex thing and the road to recovery can take a lifetime.
After the end I had this feeling these characters have barely scratched the surface and begun their journey but couldn't help but feel proud of the small and significant steps they each take through the film.
Heartfelt and Moving
catia-ojeda14 December 2020
Writer/Director Natalie Rodriguez has tapped into the residual trauma of PTSD in this excellent indie. Lead actress Maddison Bullock shows a lot of depth and emotion with very little dialogue, a sign of a rising star. In lesser hands, this movie would have been over written and over acted. A great film for those interested in a drama dealing with depression, PTSD, and mental health.
Heart Warming & Life Affirming Film about Healing
gabriela-tollman4 December 2020
This is a lovely film about new beginnings, first loves, and independence. It also explores a path to overcoming anxiety and healing from trauma. It is about a woman told by a woman and that's why it feels intimate and believable. The writer/director offers a sensitive and compassionate understanding of mental health issues. The lead actors deliver subtle and nuanced performances. The directing is simple, understated, and effective. This is a feel-good movie about difficult subject matter that is very well done.
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