Kwik Stop

2001 Comedy

Two strangers discover you really can find anything at a convenience store -- even love -- in this engaging independent romantic comedy. Mike (Michael Gilio) is an aspiring actor stuck in a small town who has big plans of moving to Hollywood so he can strike it rich. One night, while on his way into a corner store, he meets Didi (Lara Phillips), a pretty but aimless girl hanging out in the parking lot. Mike and Didi strike up a conversation, and she discovers there's a big dose of self-doubt lurking beneath his confident exterior. Mike, on the other hand, finds that the longer he talks to Didi, the more he finds himself thinking she might be a good reason to stick around. Kwik Stop was the debut feature from writer and director Michael Gilio, who also co-stars as Mike; the film premiered at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival.

Director: Michael Gilio

Starring: Michael Gilio, Rich Komenich, Lara Phillips

Reviews

  • This is the movie to seek out.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

  • This is the debut feature for Columbia College graduate Gilio, and it shows great promise.

    John Petrakis - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • The movie is about the interactions between these characters, and though I'm still trying to figure out what all the pieces mean, there's no way I can shake off the experience.

    Jonathan Rosenbaum - Chicago Reader

    26 April 2013

  • A screwball road movie set in a middle-of-nowhere town, Kwik Stop suggests "It Happened One Night" as reimagined by David Lynch or Hal Hartley.

    Scott Foundas - Variety

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Michael Gilio

    Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (2002)

  • New Directors Competition

    Chicago International Film Festival (2001)

     
  • Michael Gilio

    Independent Spirit Awards (2002)

     
  • Michael Gilio

    St. Louis International Film Festival (2002)