Like most years, Sundance was a mixed bag, but this year I found myself consistently impressed. A lot of quiet, methodical filmmaking. A lot of PG rated fare, which ended up some of the best stuff. You never know? Anyway, here are a few words about everything I watched last week, in order of viewing.
Watcher
Watcher is unfortunately bland start to finish. A film about gaslighting, centered around an irrational person who seems to be committing that offense more than anyone. The pretty people are good. The ugly ones are bad. I knock off a few extra points as the depiction of the killer seems to be an autistic man. Ugly stuff.
A Love Song
A quiet meditative piece about people who have already lived a life and are looking to start a new one. An expansive melancholic tone juxtaposed with humor and music make it a lively experience. Dale Dickey and Wes Studi have never been better. A lovely couple. A lovely film.
2nd Chance
A doc about the man who invented the modern Kevlar vest. Doing so, he shot himself 193 times. His invention saved thousands of lives in the line of duty. That is until unchecked productions and new patents came into play. A sad and “tell it as it is” styled film. Different viewers will have different feelings about the man in this complicated depiction of business over ethics. I am a fan.
Dual
Karen Gillan gives a career best playing Sarah/Sarah’s Double in this dark comedy/sci-fi that takes a large inspiration from Yorgos Thanthimoses canon. A dying woman clones herself to ease the burden of her departure for her loved ones with an experimental procedure. Things are off to a bumpy start when the clone seemingly takes over her life overnight, and does so with a slimmer physic and affable attitude! Things get worse when there appears to be a misdiagnosis with Sarah’s terminal disease. Dark and poignant, Dual is one of my favorites of this year’s fest.
Hatching
Another story of doubles in this Finnish horror fable about a girl who hatches an egg for a dead bird. The egg grows to enormous size before a grotesque, human sized bird creature is born. Seemingly connected to the girl, the newborn foul begins to lash out against the young girl’s frustrations. As bad as avian attacks may be, the girl’s overbearing mother is the real monster here in this metaphorical dark comedy that takes great inspiration from The Babadook and early 90’s fashion. A solid film.
Leonor Will Never Die
This Filipino film borrows heavily from Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s genre-shifting, allegorical cinema of human life. Leonor, an elderly woman, once action film screenwriter of the 80’s Filipino exploitation film movement, is now penniless. After seeing a newspaper ad for screenplays, Leonor dusts off the old typewriter and gets back to work. Unfortunately, an accident involving a fighting couple and falling television from a second story window sends Leonor into a coma and simultaneously into her current screenplay. The premise is fun, but the film takes a thematic misstep in trying to make the film a metaphorical drama, where it should have stuck to comedy. Unfortunate, as there was a lot of potential, but not as presented.
You Won’t Be Alone
This Macedonian set,19th century film about witches taking forms of different people couldn’t be more tonally different than that premise suggests. What the film actually is, a poignant look at life and nature through the lenses of many viewpoints. It’s a heartbreaking and beautiful movie that will surely be adored critically when it gets its April release. Standout performances across the board, and an ending that will move even the most cynical hearts. Fans of Terrance Malick, look out for this one.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
Writer/Director/Star Cooper Raiff treads a fine line and mostly succeeds in this feel good comedy. It’s essentially The Wedding Singer, on an indie film budget, directed by Cameron Crowe. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you will surely love this film. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and found the humor to be refreshingly free of the vulgar cynicism that permeates in the Apatow stronghold of American comedy. That said, I found the character annoying in his too cute portrayal, and a scene involving back scratching an autistic teen while babysitting is ill-advised. Don’t worry, nothing happens, but I think that kind of behavior can be perceived as grooming under most circumstances. I am probably in the minority here, as Apple just paid $15 million for the rights.
Brian and Charles
Brian and Charles is the kind of film you always hope for when attending fests. Inspiring, singular, small, and quirky, this film is a real gem. The story is about Brian, an inventor of useless items, who treads the Welsh Countryside in a lonely existence. After a moment of reflection, gazing upon frolicking sheep, Brian decides to make a companion robot out of a washing machine and spare parts around the house. The result, an 8 foot tall, baby puppy of a soul named Charles. Charles is a ridiculous display, making Robbie the Robot seem like a billion dollar NASA creation. The mockumentary style and silly humor is highly reminiscent of Taika Waititi’s ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, but Brian and Charles is in a realm only of itself. I don’t know when it will be released, but when it is, check it out promptly!
Emily The Criminal
Aubrey Plaza gives a good performance in a very okay movie. We have seen it before, an ex-felon trying to turn a new leaf, only to be pulled back into a life of crime. The filmmakers attempt to take a subversive view, suggesting that corporations are just as bad, and in the film’s opinion, worse than the criminal’s behavior. Anyone who has ever had their bank account number stolen and drained knows that viewpoint is bogus. In a scene where the participants are filled in on what “Dummy Shopping” is, the line explicitly said, “no one gets hurt” seems oblivious and lazy. Pretty lame. That said, I like seeing Plaza stretch her acting chops in roles like this.
Something In The Dirt
Moorhead and Benson are back with another lo-fi, sci-fi head game. This time, Levi, a new tenant in a seedy LA apartment complex and his neighbor, John discover an ashtray that reflects otherworldly light. Levi sees it as odd, but John sees it as a possible portal to another world. Playing with the tropes of documentary and unreliable narrators, the film weaves a twisty-turny kind of story that will leave viewers debating as to what went down long after. If you like this duo’s work, you will love it. If you aren’t up for their low-budget hijinks, then you may find the minimalism off putting. I personally am charmed from here to Jupiter with what they pulled off sub $100k.
