Watch Laura Smiles

Laura Smiles is a drama film from 2005 that tells the story of Laura and her struggle to keep up appearances, even when her world is falling apart. The movie opens with Laura, played by Petra Wright, going through her daily routine, getting her children ready for school, getting dressed for work, and saying goodbye to her husband Steve, played by Kip Pardue.

Despite the fact that Laura has a seemingly perfect life, as a stay-at-home mom with a handsome husband, a beautiful home, and two adorable children, she begins to feel unhappy and unfulfilled. Her routine and the expectations of her family and friends stifle her, and she longs for a life that is more her own.

As the story progresses, we see Laura begin to unravel. She starts to have an affair with a man named Chris, played by Ted Hartley, who is her husband's business partner. This affair is an escape from her mundane life, but it also adds to her stress and turmoil. She tries to balance her home life with her secret affair, but the tension and guilt become too much to bear.

The movie is shot in a unique style, with frequent flashbacks and time jumps that keep the audience engaged and guessing as to what will happen next. Laura's world is slowly revealed, and we see how her past has influenced her present. The film's use of disjointed storytelling, which feels very deliberate, offers a sense of confusion that reflects the protagonist's emotional state.

One of the central themes of Laura Smiles is the pressure women face to conform to societal norms, and how that pressure can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Laura is expected to be the perfect wife and mother, but her inner turmoil shows us that her life is anything but perfect. In an early scene, her neighbor Kiki tells her that she just needs to smile more and that everything will be fine. But it isn't that simple for Laura, and her struggle to find a sense of purpose and fulfillment is relatable to many viewers.

The film's cinematography is used beautifully to emphasize the contrast between Laura's perfect exterior and her inner turmoil. The colors and lighting are bright and cheerful, but Laura's expressions and mood are often tense and brooding. This contrast tells the story of a woman who is struggling to maintain a facade of happiness, despite the fact that she is falling apart inside.

The acting in Laura Smiles is superb, with Petra Wright giving a standout performance as the titular character. She brings a sense of vulnerability to the role that allows the audience to empathize with her struggle. Kip Pardue and Ted Hartley both do a great job as the two men in Laura's life, and the chemistry between them feels genuine.

Overall, Laura Smiles is a well-crafted and engaging film that delves into the ramifications of societal expectations and the pressure to conform. It examines the ways in which people hide their true selves to project a facade of perfection, and how that pressure can lead to a sense of disconnect and dissatisfaction. The film's unique storytelling and excellent cast make it a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas.

Laura Smiles is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 57.