Feb. 2, 2006

Soderbergh's 'Bubble' won't burst

by PHILIP LeMASTER
pcl001@marietta.edu

Who isn’t tired of this area?  Most of us Marietta students only stay here four years, but many residents remain here their whole lives.  Filmed in Belpre and Parkersburg, Steven Soderbergh’s (Erin Brokovich, Traffic, Ocean’s 11) latest feature ‘Bubble’ explores the lives of individuals stuck in the Mid-Ohio Valley.  Unlike any other film before, ‘Bubble’ was released in theatres, on high definition television, and on DVD simultaneously.  Local residents Debbie Doebereiner, Dustin James Ashley, and Misty Dawn Wilkins lead the cast as three low-income workers in a doll factory.  None have aspirations for the future; each just simply struggles to survive in a town devoid of opportunity.

Middle-aged Martha (Doebereiner) and the young Kyle (Ashley) both follow their routine lives until new girl Rose (Wilkins) arrives at the doll factory.  Martha considers Kyle her best friend, despite their age difference, but Rose seems intent on winning Kyle’s attention.  An unusual triangle of love, jealousy, and deceit quickly develops.  One evening Martha babysits Rose’s daughter so she can go on a date with Kyle.  After Rose returns home from the night out, her ex-boyfriend arrives for a heated argument.  Next morning, Rose is found dead in her home and each character’s “bubble” is shattered.

Although ploddingly slow, the film engages with its dissection of rural America.  Soderbergh perfectly captures the debilitating power of an area that sucks its residents of any hope for something better.  All in all, the film reinforces what any Marietta student will say:  “GET OUT OF HERE!”

3 ½ stars