Sally and Jess

Director - John Wintergate (Boardinghouse)

Starring - John Wintergate, Kodey Wintergate, and Shanti Wintergate (CSI: NY)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Drama

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I grew up during the golden age of VHS.  I lived in my local video store snagging releases from any genre.  I wasn't bit by the horror bug yet so I was always renting comedies, dramas, action, and children's films.  This was the 90s so there was an abundance of straight to video kid's flicks to choose from.  Growing up on these types of films has creates a soft spot for children's flicks from the late 80s and early 90s.  I know my horror readers will bitch and moan but if it wasn't for films like Prehysteria, Adventures in Dinosaur City, Homeward Bound, and The Big Green then I wouldn't be the movie buff that I am now.  When I noticed that the AGFA release of Boardinghouse included another John Wintergate film from 1989 that was intended to be a children's film.  After watching Boardinghouse I was quick to hit play on Sally and Jess.

     The film follows siblings Sally and Jess, who find themselves in the care of the state after their mom passes away and their father perishes in a plane crash rushing to get home to be with them after his wife passes.  They are unable to house them in the same home and are resort to splitting them up which infuriates the two.  They promptly run away into the woods and a long search for the pair commences.  

    Sally and Jess is far from perfect but what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in heart.  It's a generic family adventure film that pulls you in with the characters.  As a father watching the film I found it to be a very emotional experience that I think others will feel the same way as I do with it.  The acting in this one is about what you would expect from a film where the cast has little to no experience.  The characters, especially the main ones, are very relatable which is why you find yourself pulled into the story.  The cast really tries to deliver the best possible performances they can but the two leads have inexperience and age working against them.  They are by no means bad but there is plenty of room for improvement.  The story for this one is pretty straight forward as a family friendly adventure.  A siblings pair is pushing through the wilderness while the social worker and police is on their tails.  It's simple and it works.  Finally, don't expect blood or a body count because you won't find it here.  Well, a small body count maybe but it's not a bloody flick.  The film's focus is on the children so no bloodshed or trippy effects that you previously experienced in Boardinghouse.  Overall, Sally and Jess was a pleasant surprise.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope many of you are open to it as well.  I want to thank AGFA for including this one in the release.