It's been a couple of days since I saw Rattle Basket, the new drama/comedy from Thomas L. Phillips that played at On Location: Memphis International Film festival, and I can't stop thinking about it. Well, to be honest, I can't stop thinking about one of the main characters, probably because I have a crush on him, fictional character that he is.

Stuart Clemons, played by the adorable Alex Walters, is that guy friend every girl tends to have in her life. The one that is probably perfect for you but you are so close to on so many levels that you remain friends. He is the one that because you can't feel what you should for him; you are always fixing him up with everyone else. Stuart Clemons is that friend that will put up with your crap when no one else will but will also put you in your place when you need it. In short, he is the perfect guy.

Friends of Clemons are Cerina (Amanda MacDonald) and Tabitha Strickland (Gia Franzia), sophomoric sisters that revolve their entire world around themselves. Clemons is pretty remarkable (did I mention I am crushing on him already?) and it makes you wonder why he puts up with their crap because no one else does. Yet, they finally push him to the breaking point after devastating a burgeoning relationship with his new interest Bridgett.

Meanwhile, Cerina and Tabitha must learn to handle their own sticky situations forcing them to realize the consequences of their actions and helping to transform them into slightly better people. Although much like real life, they don't improve remarkably, just become a little remorseful over their past actions.

Rattle Basket is well made and has some quirky writing. The film constantly undercut all of my expectations, which is rare these days for any movie. Any formulaic expectations for a buddy film, a romantic comedy, a sibling drama, a story of relationships and coming of age, were eradicated by writer Jared Tweedie.

And this is why the movie worked so well for me, because the strong characterizations helped me to believe the story from the very beginning. The actors were refreshingly honest. Furthermore Phillips, the director, has a way of lingering on a shot just long enough to make it seem real. A perfect example is when Cerina has an awkward conversation with her professor in his car after she had seduced him to get a B+. Because Phillips stays in the scene and doesn't cut, we are able to feel for both characters who seem stiff and uncomfortable dealing with this newfound intimacy.

As the story progresses, Cerina introduces Bridgett to Stuart. Bridgett, who meets Stuart by being locked into his bathroom with him as he is showering and she is peeing, (I mean, come on...that is just hysterical writing) ends up agreeing to a date on his rooftop. In one of the funniest and yet most tender scenes, of which there are plenty, is their awkward first date (if you don't count the bathroom) on the rooftop. As romantic music plays, the camera pans in on a cardboard cutout of William Shatner. Bridgett later asks Stuart, "Is that TJ Hooker?"

In a lovely parallel, Cerina destroys their new connection on the same rooftop by doing something irreparable to her friendship with either of them. Oddly, up until this point, I had really connected with Cerina but her actions angered me so much that I actually shifted allegiance to Tabitha at this point in the film. It had taken me awhile to appreciate Tabitha as I found her to be somewhat uncomfortable in her own skin, primarily with the ex-cop/boyfriend that so violently accosts her. I had trouble connecting with her because she is so afraid to step up and fight and I was surprised when she didn't immediately go to her sister to fight for her. Yet their reliance on Clemons for those sorts of things is the catalyst to help them mature when he stops helping.

Rattle Basket proves that it is possible to make a movie about immature screwed up characters and if made well, then you find a way to care about them. You are drawn in by good direction, good writing, good acting. Phillips is able to handle difficult characters but put them in a context of situations that anyone can relate. As much as I liked the writing, I did find myself occasionally wondering if some of the self examination was a bit forced onto the sisters at times though.