The old saying goes, "Casting is 90% of Directing." A shame the Director hired a lightweight (primarily) TV actor for the lead in this tedious film masquerading its shortcomings under a pretty wrapper of kicky graphics, pseudo-surreal mumbo jumbo and special effects.
Truth be told, I never finished the film. I surrendered at about the halfway mark and got the gist by scanning the remainder at 4X. Take this review with a grain of salt then.
Honestly, one of the funniest opening scenes I've seen in a while. The lead finds a long-traveled message in a bottle. Breathless, he falls in the water retrieving the bottle, cuts himself smashing it, only to read the message, "Fuck You." It's all downhill, and fast, from there.
The Writer-Director lacks confidence. There are too many disparate elements - religion, art, marketing gone awry, blind consumerism, corporate irresponsibility - failing to mesh. Taking risks is laudable. There are far too many derivative and minor films forgotten by the time one's feet hit the parking lot outside the local multiplex. But dramatic or comedic risk is not jamming many stories into one. Russo might have a fine career, but only if he recovers from this misstep.
Further, janitors (who provide a vital service) will be insulted by their portrayal by elitist Writer-Director Russo. But he's safe. Neither Janitors nor anyone else will see this dog. (Wonder no more if you work in an office and your desk looks like a couple screwed on your desk.)
Sundance should stop rewarding uninteresting tripe like this. It only encourages more crappy Indies lacking narrative drive and truth.
The best way to view this film is in fast forward. Or not at all.
Truth be told, I never finished the film. I surrendered at about the halfway mark and got the gist by scanning the remainder at 4X. Take this review with a grain of salt then.
Honestly, one of the funniest opening scenes I've seen in a while. The lead finds a long-traveled message in a bottle. Breathless, he falls in the water retrieving the bottle, cuts himself smashing it, only to read the message, "Fuck You." It's all downhill, and fast, from there.
The Writer-Director lacks confidence. There are too many disparate elements - religion, art, marketing gone awry, blind consumerism, corporate irresponsibility - failing to mesh. Taking risks is laudable. There are far too many derivative and minor films forgotten by the time one's feet hit the parking lot outside the local multiplex. But dramatic or comedic risk is not jamming many stories into one. Russo might have a fine career, but only if he recovers from this misstep.
Further, janitors (who provide a vital service) will be insulted by their portrayal by elitist Writer-Director Russo. But he's safe. Neither Janitors nor anyone else will see this dog. (Wonder no more if you work in an office and your desk looks like a couple screwed on your desk.)
Sundance should stop rewarding uninteresting tripe like this. It only encourages more crappy Indies lacking narrative drive and truth.
The best way to view this film is in fast forward. Or not at all.