Slamdance Film Festival 2012

In his feature film directorial debut, James Stenson brings us Kelly, a documentary about Kelly Van Ryan. I know what you’re thinking: “Denise Richards’ character in Wild Things?!” Not in the slightest. This Kelly (born Raphael Gibson) is a transgender prostitute living in Los Angeles. Stenson reveals Kelly’s life in layers, starting with her living in high demand. But as more about Kelly is revealed (her abusive boyfriend/pimp, her meth addiction, her arrests for prostitution and drugs, her eviction from her apartment, her constant lying, etc.), the more one-dimensional she becomes. With each additional thing Kelly says, you begin to wonder how much has been fact and how much has been fiction, and as the film progresses, it becomes harder and harder to give a fuck. Though there is somewhat of a “train wreck” quality to it all, Kelly’s self-centeredness eventually becomes unbearable, which is probably why the film is only 50 minutes long. Maybe the kids who watch Jersey Shore will find this documentary entertaining. –Johnny Logan