Peyton and Elena are, on the surface, diametrically opposed - one, a well-known lesbian writer, the other a mother and wife of a pastor - but when their paths cross, several times over, they feel compelled to connect. What begins as friendship quickly blossoms into something deeper. Peyton tries to extricate herself before her heart wants what it can't have. Elena can't imagine not having Peyton in her life. And despite the fact that she has never even considered kissing a woman, Elena is overwhelmed with a desire to do just that. Despite Peyton's reservations, Elena pushes the relationship into a full-blown affair. The two women fall deeply in love, both keenly aware a future together might be little more than a dream. Written by

Plot Synopsis:
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In the opening scene, the paths of two women cross. They are Elena Winters (Necar Zadegan), a mother and pastor's wife, and Peyton Lombard (Traci Dinwiddie), a well-known lesbian writer. They are both in their late 30s and while they are walking down a park pathway, both make eye contact with each other before walking their separate ways.

The movie opens in two places - following the two protagonists - first, within a church, where Elena's teenage stepson, Nash, refuses to support an anti-homosexual protest, and then within a funeral service for Peyton's recently deceased mother.

Elena and her husband Barry (Gary Weeks) are trying to conceive but it becomes clear that their efforts have been unsucessfull when Barry rebukes Elena after her period starts. Meanwhile, Peyton starts cleaning out her mother's things from her house, having flashbacks of her emotionally troubled mother as she works. Peyton finds a tape entitled 'Women's Glory Project' with her things, and becomes obsessed with it.

Elena visits her friend Tyler for advice, telling him that she and Barry are going to adopt instead of trying to have another child. He asks "what's in it for her," and insists (as he's apparently done in the past) that Barry is not her soul mate, or "twin flame." Even so, he pushes her to go to the adoption, saying that "someone is definitely coming into her life, in a big way."

Peyton and Elena meet once again at the adoption agency. They briefly speak as Peyton returns Elena's lost keys to her. They exchange business cards after Peyton mentions that she might have use for a photographer (which Elena was prior to marrying Barry).

Peyton's lesbian best friend, Wave (Mary Wells), drags her to a 'love guru' (who happens to be Tyler) where Peyton and Elena meet again. Elena finds out that Peyton is gay as they talk about their marriages. Peyton calls Elena the next day, inquiring if Elena would help her with continuing her mother's Women's Glory Project, and make plans for Elena to visit the next day with her portfolio.

They meet once again, and it's revealed that Peyton's an agoraphobic with substantial difficulties trusting. They bond over the next few weeks - over picnics with Tyler, and late-night glasses of wine. Later, Elena takes better professional photographs of Peyton for her books, and they discuss their upbringings and how they knew they were straight and gay, respectively.

One day, Peyton calls Wave asking for advice on her feelings for Elena, and her friend tells her to be honest with Elena about said feelings, unaware that Elena has some of her own. She visits Peyton later, after being avoided for some time, showing up at her door with the printed photographs. At the unexpected visit, Peyton discloses her feelings to Elena and suggests that they not spend time together. Elena violently rebukes that idea, telling Peyton that she's her absolute best friend, that they need to be in each others lives, and that Peyton can have "all of her except for that (meaning physically romantic encounters)." Subsequently, however, Elena begins to rapidly examine her own feelings. Elena calls Peyton after exploring lesbian websites, saying that she's not attracted to them and doesn't think she's a lesbian (leaving the viewer aware that she is attracted to Peyton). This is followed by an uncharacteristically (up to this point) passionate statement from Elena asking if she and Peyton could agree to call her feeling a serious "crush." Her husband walks up in the middle of the call, causing her to quickly end it, which appears even more suspicious.

The following day, Elena comes over to Peyton's house and makes out with her passionately (in a long, three-minute unbroken shot) before leaving. As time passes, Elena begins wanting more from her relationship with Peyton. Another day or two later, while over at Peyton's house to look over more of the photo shots that she took, she suddenly asks Peyton to make love with her. At first Peyton refuses, saying that "once they go there, there's no going back." Elena tells her that she doesn't want to go back. As they're having sex, Peyton asks Elena to stay with her, though it's unclear whether she means physically or emotionally.

The next day, both Elena and Peyton happily confide in Tyler and Wave about their newfound sexual tryst with each other. Tyler is happy and supportive to Elena, while Wave disapproves to Peyton, reminding her that Elena is married and straight. Peyton yet is happy in her new romance with Elena and doesn't want it to end.

One morning after another night of lovemaking between them, Elena and Peyton get into a bit of an inquisition when Peyton asks how Barry comes on to Elena and when and how often they have sex. Elena tells her that they don't have sex anymore, and also tells her that they're going on an annual vacation to Hawaii together. Peyton writes intimate letters to Elena as she's away, and Nash is the one that finds them as he's looking for some aspirin in her suitcase.

The toll of having two partners starts to eat away at Elena, and she begins to get in more fights with both Barry and Peyton. Nash starts stealing and drinking from the stress of keeping Elena's affair with Peyton secret, and ends up getting caught by the police after getting drunk and returning to the store he stole from. When Elena comes back and confronts him about it, he tells her that he knows of her affair with Peyton and she explains (briefly) that she does not intend to stop seeing her.

Elena returns to Tyler out of desperation for answers as to why she's been set on this path, and meets Peyton later and kisses her in the park, oblivious to Millie seeing them together. Millie then calls Barry and tells him about Elena's affair. Peyton tells her that they should probably break up, because of all the complications arising for Elena. Elena insists that they don't, asking Peyton rhetorically if she ever saw a future of them together. They break up and Elena walks off as Millie goes to Barry and tells him about the affair to his face. Elena breaks up with Barry, telling him that Nash needs the real them, not the fighting couple that they've become.

Six months later.

Wave and Peyton are taking a walk in the park and run into Tori and Nash, also doing the same. Elena also comes up, walking with Tyler and his wife. She's now pregnant, and at first Peyton freaks out, thinking that Elena played her and was sleeping with Barry the entire time they were together. Elena faints, and Nash gets Peyton and Elena to talk together at Tyler's house so Elena can explain that she broke up and is getting divorced from Barry, but still wanted a child, to have some hope in her life and that she received IVF with Tyler's 'contribution,' and asks Peyton to try and understand. Peyton apologizes to Elena and they kiss.

The final scene shows another of Tyler's picnics with Peyton and Elena together with their infant.

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flores_idealist from United States
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I was disappointed and frustrated to see that the only review of this film so far was by a woman who had the nerve to dish on a film that she walked out of after only the first 40 minutes. Seems to me that that should automatically disqualify her review and critique on that grounds alone.

My partner and I, on the other hand, stayed for the entire film, and would have quite happily stayed for a second showing if they'd decided to have one. We agreed that it was the best lesbian film that we've ever seen (and we've seen most of them that are out there).

When the reality is that most (though thankfully not all) lesbian films are mediocre at best, and embarrassingly bad at worst, "Elena Undone" sets a new standard for what lesbian films can and should be: intelligently written, well-cast and well-acted and well-directed, with natural and believable dialogue, a storyline that is actually believable, and characters that you can relate to (and may even want to be friends with), and extremely erotic scenes that still manage to be tasteful and believable. It is rare to find all of these qualities in a mainstream blockbuster feature film, and nearly impossible to find them in lesbian movies, so I was thrilled almost beyond reason to see what can be accomplished in lesbian film-making.

And then there's the astounding beauty of the two co-stars and the incredible and believable passion and eroticism of the connection that builds between them as the movie evolves. To say that this was a satisfying element of the movie would be a serious understatement... I have never been so aroused by a film, and couldn't stop thinking about it for the entire week since I've seen it. I have watched the trailer at least once a day since and am totally hooked! I am not embarrassed to admit that I have fallen hopelessly in love with this exquisite film.

I encourage every woman-loving-woman out there (and our friends and allies) to do whatever it takes to SEE THIS FILM, even if it means buying it sight-unseen (yeah, it's THAT good!) We need to create a market for more high quality lesbian films like this, and the only way to do so is to provide support to the talented filmmakers who gift us with delicious movies like this one. SEE IT -- YOU WON'T REGRET IT! Kathy Berkeley, CA

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dapere-2 from United States
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Elena Undone is a breath of fresh air for Lesbians everywhere. It is well written, acted and directed. I was very pleased with the storyline and the outcome of the struggles that the two women face and endure. There was an obvious chemistry between the two main characters. The attractions were well played out and meaningful. Very romantic. I loved it.

The attraction between the confirmed Lesbian and the married woman is so inevitable. I enjoyed the obvious and subtle suggestions. It reminded me of my own experiences. The relationship between the two women slowly develops. It is not rushed. Thankfully, we don't have to wait for the end of the film to observe the attraction and how the women act upon it. This is a positive LGBT film that should be experienced by Gay, straight, or whatever floats your boat individuals. It is important to see that the two women are open to their relationship - whether it remain as a friendship as it starts or continue down the path of deeper and physical love.

I am very pleased that this film was made. There was a good amount of sensuality that is missing from so many LGBT and other romantic films. Nicole Conn is very good with the writing and directing. Thank goodness for Nicole Conn! I also loved the main characters. Kudos to all who made the film possible!

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robynsleo from United States
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Except for the very end, this is the story of my life. This story is very touching and accurately conveys all the emotion we felt as we lived it. As a lesbian falling in love with a married straight woman was the scariest thing I've ever done. I didn't mean for it to happen, but I had to follow my heart as Peyton followed hers.

The "love guru" was a little corny at times, but it allowed us to see other excerpts of love. Love truly comes in all shapes and sizes. I still have a hard time seeing him with that business tycoon, but who am I to judge. The emotion was suffocating, but most people can't understand that until they have lived it.

...And the best part is we are still madly, passionately, and totally in love even after 15 years...yes, love does conquer all.

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connier88 from United States
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Yes, my review is long, but I hope you'll hang in there.

Tastes vary, but a couple of reviews here make me wonder what film the reviewers were watching. I completely disagree with anyone who says this was a bad film. I just watched countless short films and other "features" at the LGBT film festival, and I've seen bad. This wasn't it. In fact, I registered on this site for the first time because this movie...well...moved me, and I don't want anyone to be swayed from giving it a chance due to people posting reviews based on not having seen the movie. Seems like it would be akin to taking the advice of a friend who recommends a doctor based on walking through the lobby, filling out paperwork, and walking out. The beginning of the movie includes exposition but is anything but torturous. If you don't want to feel, laugh, and root for two women to find happiness together, by all means, ignore this flick. Otherwise, gather the popcorn and your girl (or guy, or friends, or what have you) and get ready to be pleasantly surprised.

Elena Undone included the elements that a high majority of lesbian films neglect altogether, while successfully weaving together elements that most simply get wrong. Though there is angst in the complex coming together of two very different lives (as there needs to be), this movie also had laugh-out-loud humor, passion, heart, and -- something I personally appreciated -- no insane lesbians, homicidal lesbians, dying lesbians, or any insane, homicidal, dying lesbians. Right there, it beats most TV shows and movies out there (and yes, I'm still mourning Tara Maclay of Buffy fame). However, the mere absence of those clichés is not indicative of how I arrived at 9/10 for this movie.

Yes, in Elena Undone, there's a friend who's a relationship guru of sorts, and he occasionally narrates throughout the film, but there are far worse things in Gay Movieville than a personally and professionally respected, sweet, straight dude who's basically cheering for our girls from the get-go and is actually pretty charming in his optimism. In any case, he's hardly a focus of the film, and for me, his interjections didn't interrupt the flow of the storyline. The inserted snippets from "real life" couples are reminiscent of those in When Harry Met Sally, but it's a nice little glimpse into the lives of other brave souls who've found each other and made it work despite life getting in the way. The guru and the couples are a small part of the film overall.

Addressing another issue that many are chatting about online lately, yes, there's a long kiss between two women. A very long kiss. Over 3 minutes long. Ever been completely in love and lust with someone and wanted to make out for about a day and a half? That's what I felt coming from the screen during the scene; it was about the new, it was about discovery, it was about palpable attraction and affection. It's not a porn movie, so it was tastefully done, hot (for lack of a better term), and fitting within the context of the story.

The characters must process a lot during this movie's run, so anyone expecting every facet to be thoroughly examined is probably only in luck if someone decides to make a series of this film. I appreciated the inclusion of the family members' reactions to the relationship, as well as the fact that -- at least to some degree -- the filmmakers addressed the wake of chaos left after the relationship is discovered.

I know nothing about the back story of the filmmakers, so I can't say if this movie is a reflection of that or not. Frankly, I didn't and don't care. Regardless, it was realistic and beautiful, and compared to many films of this genre, it didn't have a low-budget vibe at all. I thought the clothing of the lead was less "Hey, I'm stuck in the 90s" and more "Hey, I'm the Repressed Wife of a Pastor," at least until she started to explore her feelings and the freedoms and choices available to her.

I gave this film 9 out of 10 because I felt there were some uneven moments and because I have a little thing about their *always* having to be babies involved (you'll see what I mean), but overall, I enjoyed the heck out of it and will be buying it. I get that I'm a total stranger, so I would bet that the fact I like it means pretty much zippo to you who are reading this. If it helps for perspective, two of my favorite lesbian-centric films are Tipping the Velvet and When Night is Falling.

So that's it. Thanks for reading, and have fun out there.

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jlhopwo from United States
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OK, put away your presumptions and your prejudices about what a "lesbian" movie is. If you skip this movie because "it's about lesbians," or gays, or the mysterious "other," then you're missing out on one of the best romantic films I've ever seen.

First, I'm a happily married straight guy, 45 years old. Now having dispensed with that, on to the review!

As another reviewer has already noted, this is a romance film. It happens to be a romance film with two women as the lead actors. Sure, you can call it a lesbian film, if you wish to force it into some niche. You can note that the director and producer, both women, are partners, and therefore let that make a choice for you about the movie. I recommend, however, that you watch the film, and let it stand on its own merits. You won't be disappointed.

While some say that this film appears to be somewhat formulaic (girl meets girl, girl loses girl, girl gets girl back in the end,) movies use formulas because 1) they work, and 2) they are true representations of how life happens. What separates this movie from other romance movies isn't that the main characters are women, but the visceral, raw, and quite real emotions captured by the camera and shown to us on film. I was bowled away by the acting, amazed by the cinematography, and stunned by the chemistry. Oh yes, there's chemistry! I'm making a distinction between the acting and the chemistry because I would like to speak to the acting in general, and the chemistry in particular. Am I exaggerating when I write "bowled away", "amazed", and "stunned?" OK, maybe a little bit. Obviously, I'm biased- I really like this movie! But allow me to explain.

The acting in "Elena Undone" is wonderful. And I don't mean wonderful for an indie film. I mean truly wonderful. The phrase "suspension of disbelief" gets bandied about quite a bit in film reviews, and I don't want to, again, exaggerate, but I really felt like I was there when watching this movie. There were so many scenes where I was no longer sitting in my living room, but I was "there", at the park, or in Peyton's living room, or in her (their) bedroom... I felt like I was disembodied, hovering at the periphery of the scene, really watching events unfold in real-time! Not just the main characters Elena (Nacar Zadegan) and Peyton (Traci Dinwiddie), but all the actors performed wonderfully.

The cinematography was also excellent. There are two main themes in the cinematography that I would like to speak to. One is the "style" of the movie, and the other, from a comparative point of view, is the role that the park plays in the movie. I can point to the "narration style" used where one of the actors, Tyler, talks to the camera in the guise of the cinematographer-type role that he plays in the movie. Similar to other movies that have used this device (Kenneth Branagh's "Othello" comes immediately to mind), it helps steady the movie and keeps things moving along. The park is another part of the cinematography that plays an important role in the movie. The park becomes almost like another part of the cast, present at many important points in the movie. It's there when Elena and Peyton first see each other, although they don't meet then. It's there when "girl loses girl," and also there when at the very end and the credits begin to roll, they are at their happiest. I bring these points up not because they are especially important, or especially poignant, but to demonstrate to you, the reader of this review, that particular care was spent in the cinematography of this movie. Please be assured, that if the cast and crew cared about these things, they certainly cared about all other aspects of this movie that make it so great.

Lastly, the chemistry. This movie, were it not for the chemistry between Nacar Zadegan, and Traci Dinwiddie, would be an above average romance movie. With it, it explodes on the screen! From their first glance that shows interest, to their open conversations, to the scene where there is that first spark that ignites the tinder, to the scene where the tinder begins to blaze a little more, to that scene... that scene where the flame is no longer small, but all-consuming, engulfing them... I don't even know if I can properly even describe it to you, to give it its due. You just are going to have to take my word for it, when you see this scene, you will be so affected, as I was, it's so amazingly beautiful and raw- the acknowledgment of Elena's feelings, her forthrightness, yet tempered with her knowledge that she may be changing things irrevocably, but with her stubborn, almost petulant need to charge forward into the abyss... And by the way, it's not a sex scene that I'm writing about (while there is sex in the movie, it's thoughtfully and provocatively muted, sensual, loving, while still being erotic and sexy!) Anyway, I'm probably letting my feelings thinking about this scene get away with me, but once again, please let me say to you, you deserve to see this scene, and by extension, the whole movie!

To summarize, and to close this somewhat lengthy and totally biased review, you need to see this movie. Yes you, straight man, as well as you, lesbian lady, and you too, curious lady. And hey, you too, straight woman with a boyfriend. All of you can put aside whatever baggage you're bringing to the table and watch this movie. If you aren't affected by this romance, this love story, this amazing retelling of how two people can meet, and fall in love, and run into problems, and become redeemed because of their unassailable love for each other, then you must be dead inside.

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shellcinsd from United States
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To start out I'm going to say that Nicole Conn makes films about romance. If you've seen her other works (not counting the documentary about her son) I think it's clear that she is not going for the more edgy drama or romantic comedy she's trying for and I quote the film "the romance in love." That being said, I think this is her best dramatic feature yet. Budget with independent film, particularly lesbian or gay themed films, is always an issue which is why I think a lot of the time we get films that look like they were shot on a Sony handicam and have lead actors with about as much acting talent as a junior high drama club. I have to applaud the production team for being able to get the caliber of people that they did to make this film. The leads are stunning and have a very natural chemistry between them plus they can act! The camera work is good and the set designs were natural and realistic to the characters. There are other things in the film that aren't particularly noteworthy like the wardrobe and soundtrack but again I think those things are more of a budget thing. Okay yes the story does fall flat in certain spots and the rhythm does seem to shift in the second half of the film and yes there are some flaws in the editing (most of which I only noticed after watching my DVD about 10 times), but overall this is one of the better lesbian themed films out there. Again this film is not going to appeal to everyone, but to me this film does exactly what I think it promises which is to show you the romance in love. Hope this helps.

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cmbrown203 from United States
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This movie is one everyone should see. The truth is that people fall in love; it can be messy; people may get hurt. The more complex reality is that we can really "sleep half our lives away" and wake to find our life is not what we believed it to be. We can have the best intentions; make the most detailed plan for our lives and wake to find nothing is the same.

Two women of good intention-adoption for God's sake- find themselves involved in an escalating romance. It doesn't matter what you think about gay, lesbian or even broken marriage vows, it happens.

And, the simple truth is no one talks about how a woman's world is split open by discovering that she can be sexually and romantically involved with another woman when that has never seemed "imaginable to her." No one talks about the collateral damage a woman will do on both sides of the equation because she has been conditioned to compromise, to "work it out."

So, Elena Undone talks about it; shows it; let's you live it for just a little while. Long kisses, glorious love-making, mine-field maneuvering in the land of disintegrating marriage; heart breaking choices in the pool of self-protection; and the simple notion that once the wreckage has been sorted, if it's true love, there is hope. That's all any of us want to believe, really. There is hope. AM I a romantic? Sure. I am living proof that the wreckage doesn't have to bury the flame. Twenty five years after meeting; with an 11 year separation, my soul mate and I just marked 13 years in June.

Go see the movie. Leave all your baggage at home. It's a movie. It tells a story and it makes you feel good; not bad...good!

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Brittany Ganswith (Brittles1984) from United States
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I cannot express enough how much I absolutely LOVED this movie. I originally found it when i was streaming for LGBT movies on Netflix which i like to watch when i have some downtime. I've seen plenty of movies so far,most are boring before they get interesting, but 'Elena Undone' captured my attention after watching up to 15 minutes of the movie.At first i thought it was some type of documented movie which i cannot stand. But I gave it chance and was blown away. I've seen the movie at least 9 times in the last 4 days and thats due to watching the movie twice one after another. The whole story line just makes you want to fall in love, and feel the love that that actresses felt in the movie. The passion and emotions that are portrayed just make you smile and feel so wrapped up in love. If you're someone who has been in love, or knows what it feels like to have someone who you cannot stop thinking about constantly should be able to relate to this movie. I really wish this movie was a lot more popular than it is because this movie DESERVES the attention. Necar Zadegan and Traci Dinwiddie are amazing actresses and each played their characters to the max. I couldn't ask for more. Nicole Conn is an amazing Writer/Director and i praise her work. It is phenomenal. This is a MUST-SEE Movie!

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lyndaharv from United States
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Elena Undone is one of the best indie and also lesbian movies i've seen in a long time. the acting by both main actresses was compelling. they had a lot of chemistry even without the love scenes. the other actors did a very good job as well. i'll mention Mary Wells as one of the best and Sabrina Fuster as a newcomer was surprisingly at ease in front of the camera. as for the story it was romantic but also had moments of tension and heartbreak. Nicole Conn, the director and writer was very good at getting all there was to get out of each actor, especially Traci and Necar. i could almost feel what each was going through in the very intense moments. there was also a lot of chemistry though not romantic between Traci and Mary. they really seemed like true friends. over all i'd say this movie should attract many people, more than just the lesbian population. it is first and foremost a love story.

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Amason0429 from United States
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This is the best lesbian film I've ever seen. It's a film that would not just be appealing to a gay/lesbian audience but to anyone. The storyline is so wonderful and touching. It's full of emotion, life lessons, humor, great writing and directing and so much more. It also doesn't fail in the sexy category :) These characters are so real and have such great chemistry on screen that it makes the movie that much more believable. The anticipation of these two women getting together gives you butterflies. The build up is heart pounding. The first kiss is magic and historical....lasting more than a minute. With great acting, great music, great storyline....Elena Undone is a must see. Absolutely wonderful film! Nicole Conn doesn't let us down with this one!

woman|pastor|triple f rated|f rated|lesbian sex|author|religion|church|gay parent|wife of minister|lesbian mother|lesbian kiss|lesbianism|soul mate|sex|gay|independent film|writer|lesbian|taking a picture|infidelity|adultery|extramarital affair|indian|character name in title|

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Certifications:
Netherlands:12 / UK:15 / USA:Not Rated