«Wallie’s Gals» by Mary C. Ferrara

In Wallie’s Gals, writer-director-actor Mary C. Ferrara crafts a heartfelt, delightfully off-kilter comedy that explores the enduring bonds of female friendship with wit, warmth, and a generous dash of surreal charm. Part nostalgic time capsule, part offbeat ensemble piece, the film is anchored by its vibrant characters, quirky comic timing, and a surprising emotional depth that sneaks in between laughs.

Blending the energy of a choral sitcom with the emotional resonance of a coming-of-age drama—only the age in question is… later—the film proves that some stories just get better with time.

Set between the pastel-hued world of 1989 and the more grounded present day, the story follows the employees of Wallie’s Big Deals—a once-floundering discount clothing store saved by the charisma and oddball flair of its all-female staff. When Maxine, the no-nonsense manager, calls the Gals back for a mysterious reason decades later, the reunion triggers a hilarious and unexpectedly touching journey into shared history, missed connections, and second chances.

Roe Pacheco brings gravity and bite to Maxine, with Danielle K. Gensler (Lorraine), Audrey Noone (Jeannette), Therese Lloyd (“Maneki”/Maureen), and Ferrara herself (Leanne) rounding out a cast that fully leans into each character’s eccentricities without turning them into caricatures. The adult ensemble is matched beautifully by their younger counterparts—Christie Devine as Young Maxine and Casey Schryer as Young Lorraine in particular shine—delivering performances that mirror the emotional core of their older selves with uncanny precision. This seamless dual casting adds a surprising layer of realism to a story that otherwise dances playfully on the edge of the absurd.

Ferrara, a Boston-based multi-hyphenate known for her award-winning shorts and screenwriting, brings a singular voice to this feature-length comedy pilot. The tone is loose and unpredictable—one moment absurd, the next sincerely moving—yet always anchored in the strange, familiar rhythms of long-term female connection. There’s an almost theatrical quality to the way scenes shift and pivot, but the heart always stays true.

Premiering at the Shawna Shea Film Festival in 2023 and steadily gaining momentum on the festival circuit, Wallie’s Gals is that rare comedic gem: smart without being cynical, funny without losing depth. It’s also refreshingly full of women over 50 doing things we rarely get to see onscreen—being bold, awkward, wild, and above all, still evolving.

Equal parts nostalgic and irreverent, this is a film that reminds us the past is never as far behind as we think—and that the people who knew us “back then” might still be the ones who know us best.

Don’t miss the deal — it’s weird, warm, and just right.