First, let's touch on my vote. "awful" being a completely subjective concept, and sometimes even desirable in enjoying a "bad" movie, this film gets 10 if you like bad movies, and only 2 if you don't. So, here we are being fair and putting it in the middle. "Is it all that bad?" you might be asking. Yes! But that's intentional, i believe, to some degree. There is a certain slowness to this film that, if you give the film makers some credit, truly represents the character's life. This is a world without TV, work, the things in our daily lives that cause it to seem so fast, and keep us distracted from the slow passage of time. The Stranger has no such constraints, and in his freedom, he can, with you as his guest, see time for what it is; a slow and plodding thing. The almost entirely black and white aspect of this movie adds to it's gritty appeal (very much as in Clerks) and make the sometime flashes of colour shocking where they are meant to be. There is little to no dialog spoken by the characters on screen. Rather, we have a monologue, a neigh Shakespearian soliloquy of one liners strung together with more pertinent thoughts, all this carried by the rather animated face of the actor (credited only as ?) playing The Stranger, who would have done well in the silent movie days because of such an expressive continence. All in all, worth the price i found it used, and worth the time. A Jewel in any bad movie collection, for all those who like "artsy" and just plain horrible cinema!
5 Reviews
A Good Effort and Worth Watching
paul-day-clone19 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Ignore the review about "bad movies". This is not an MST3K affair. It's got some serious problems, especially the lead performance which alternates between appropriately somber and mugging like a high school student. But a vision propels this movie and low-budget filmmakers don't get everything they want. As such, he did the best with what he had and that's pretty damn good.
The movie is a monologue that follows a drifter drifting through the country country. Parental and systemic abuse left him damaged, cynical and determined to keep moving forward to "anywhere". "Life is an endless banquet and I haven't even finished my salad yet." There's a some really sharp writing here. And some really flat writing. The word "folks" gets abused just as much as the drifter did.
Even so, the visuals switching from beautiful black and white to washed out, over processed color hold your eye and make up for some of the clunkers. The sound track, blues, muzak and some Hawaiian, compliments the action perfectly. Technically, it approaches greatness.
It's a low budget indie film in the best sense of the word. It's not Hollywood. It's not a B-movie. It's an intelligent, proficient filmmaker putting his vision on screen. Whether it's your cup of tea is up to you. If you're STOKED to see both of the new Ghostbusters films then you probably will hate it.
The movie is a monologue that follows a drifter drifting through the country country. Parental and systemic abuse left him damaged, cynical and determined to keep moving forward to "anywhere". "Life is an endless banquet and I haven't even finished my salad yet." There's a some really sharp writing here. And some really flat writing. The word "folks" gets abused just as much as the drifter did.
Even so, the visuals switching from beautiful black and white to washed out, over processed color hold your eye and make up for some of the clunkers. The sound track, blues, muzak and some Hawaiian, compliments the action perfectly. Technically, it approaches greatness.
It's a low budget indie film in the best sense of the word. It's not Hollywood. It's not a B-movie. It's an intelligent, proficient filmmaker putting his vision on screen. Whether it's your cup of tea is up to you. If you're STOKED to see both of the new Ghostbusters films then you probably will hate it.
Nothing happens but Philosophy on the Road
mrdonleone28 May 2020
Stranger is strangely attractive as art, but certainly not interesting as a movie. It is nuts fascinating to see the main character do nothing at all; yeah. Unfortunately this is all we get to see in this movie which of course is sans what does the AR level of the film is very high and philosophy moments behind it all is great like wow.
Yet should we really need to see it? I don't think so. Way too boring for me at least.
Yet should we really need to see it? I don't think so. Way too boring for me at least.
See "Stranger" and see a real indie film
firebrandfilms15 September 2005
This critically acclaimed dark little jewel is one of those sleepers that not a lot of people know about. Hopefully, that's about to change.
STRANGER chronicles the surreal journey of a no-named homeless drifter who meanders the back alleys, mean streets and lonely highways of this chaotic universe known as America.
Along the way, we get an in depth character study of the man and the manic mazes of his mind, and it ain't pretty folks! Each frame is an angst splattered canvas of urban grit and grime, seedy bums, rednecks, kinky prostitutes, and well, you get the picture.
It's a seamless shadow world where every mundane highway sign is rich with metaphor, every frame filled with archetypal images that are as heavy with symbolism as they are with smoky hipster cool.
In one scene, the Stranger takes a whiz in an adult bookstore parking lot as a train zips by, a tattered American flag flapping in the background, and police siren screaming in the distance. It would take a 'Social history of American cinema' class half a semester to analyze that scene. And look out for a left turn ending that'll keep you watching this one over and over for years to come.
STRANGER is more than a shock schlock movie. There's more to it than the usual blood and guts shock cinema fare, but it's just as visceral and compelling in it's own jagged way. STRANGER is a thought-provoking, often disturbing and visually stunning piece of art... all be it a sick, twisted piece of art.
The critics seemed to agree: "Aces! A great film." John Pierson - Indie Film Guru "Humorous and disturbing. Subversive. Creates an effect that's hard to shake." NASHVILLE SCENE "Epic and inspired." BIJOU FLIX "Bile dipped celluloid." FILM THREAT "A psychotic mix of Jarmusch and Bukowski." SHOCK CINEMA "Enthralling! Expressive and accomplished film-making." Amy Taubin - VILLAGE VOICE I strongly suggest you go to Amazon/Borders and purchase the 4 pack DVD titled "PSYCHOTIC TENDENCIES" and experience STRANGER for yourself. It's the only way you'll get to see this piece of hard candy... anywhere. Warning: Not for the squeamish!
STRANGER chronicles the surreal journey of a no-named homeless drifter who meanders the back alleys, mean streets and lonely highways of this chaotic universe known as America.
Along the way, we get an in depth character study of the man and the manic mazes of his mind, and it ain't pretty folks! Each frame is an angst splattered canvas of urban grit and grime, seedy bums, rednecks, kinky prostitutes, and well, you get the picture.
It's a seamless shadow world where every mundane highway sign is rich with metaphor, every frame filled with archetypal images that are as heavy with symbolism as they are with smoky hipster cool.
In one scene, the Stranger takes a whiz in an adult bookstore parking lot as a train zips by, a tattered American flag flapping in the background, and police siren screaming in the distance. It would take a 'Social history of American cinema' class half a semester to analyze that scene. And look out for a left turn ending that'll keep you watching this one over and over for years to come.
STRANGER is more than a shock schlock movie. There's more to it than the usual blood and guts shock cinema fare, but it's just as visceral and compelling in it's own jagged way. STRANGER is a thought-provoking, often disturbing and visually stunning piece of art... all be it a sick, twisted piece of art.
The critics seemed to agree: "Aces! A great film." John Pierson - Indie Film Guru "Humorous and disturbing. Subversive. Creates an effect that's hard to shake." NASHVILLE SCENE "Epic and inspired." BIJOU FLIX "Bile dipped celluloid." FILM THREAT "A psychotic mix of Jarmusch and Bukowski." SHOCK CINEMA "Enthralling! Expressive and accomplished film-making." Amy Taubin - VILLAGE VOICE I strongly suggest you go to Amazon/Borders and purchase the 4 pack DVD titled "PSYCHOTIC TENDENCIES" and experience STRANGER for yourself. It's the only way you'll get to see this piece of hard candy... anywhere. Warning: Not for the squeamish!
Stranger is art, not mindless merchandising!
boonandbane007 November 2007
I just saw this film and would like to comment on those who choose to degrade others' work. This film was a masterpiece.. a flawed masterpiece, but a true work of genius.
The following post goes out to all those people who pay money to see the usual Hollywood blockbuster/Taco Bell combo meal ad, chick-flicks, holiday feel-goods, etc,... If you enjoy these types of "films" (and I use that term with a cringe)that is fine. These films tailor to the masses and sometimes they actually make money.
If this is your cup of tea, then don't try to swallow Stranger and even more importantly don't write one-sided negative reviews about films you should not have bothered watching in the first place. Go see Transformers or Good Luck Chuck.
This is a free country and everybody has a rectum... I mean opinion, but do not criticize your neighbor until you HAVE walked a mile in his moccasins. I wonder if those guys who malign Stranger and other art films like it have ever had the courage or the talent to make their own feature films, get good reviews from top indie film critics like Amy Taubin and John Pierson, or ever struggle to and actually secure distribution for a feature film... I doubt it.
These bitter pills spend most of their time "mouse-ter-bating" at the computer and disparaging other peoples' hard work.
Stranger is an esoteric piece. It takes patience to watch, but if you truly enjoy film as an art form, then you will appreciate the film's deeply layered structure, rich cinematography, and skillful editing.
I've only seen this film once, but I intend on watching it several more times. Stranger is the kind of film that only gets better with repeated viewings, but only if you are an open-minded person who truly understands, respects, and appreciates the art of film and can empathize with the struggle of real artists.
So, if you like the mindless escapism that Hollywood subjects us to then enjoy... that's what it's there for. I enjoy it at times... when I'm drunk.... But, if you like to see films that challenge you, provoke thought, and can be respected on a more artistic level of substance over style, then enjoy Stranger.
Otherwise, enjoy your blockbuster and its Burger King Combo companion.
Cheers! Ollie
The following post goes out to all those people who pay money to see the usual Hollywood blockbuster/Taco Bell combo meal ad, chick-flicks, holiday feel-goods, etc,... If you enjoy these types of "films" (and I use that term with a cringe)that is fine. These films tailor to the masses and sometimes they actually make money.
If this is your cup of tea, then don't try to swallow Stranger and even more importantly don't write one-sided negative reviews about films you should not have bothered watching in the first place. Go see Transformers or Good Luck Chuck.
This is a free country and everybody has a rectum... I mean opinion, but do not criticize your neighbor until you HAVE walked a mile in his moccasins. I wonder if those guys who malign Stranger and other art films like it have ever had the courage or the talent to make their own feature films, get good reviews from top indie film critics like Amy Taubin and John Pierson, or ever struggle to and actually secure distribution for a feature film... I doubt it.
These bitter pills spend most of their time "mouse-ter-bating" at the computer and disparaging other peoples' hard work.
Stranger is an esoteric piece. It takes patience to watch, but if you truly enjoy film as an art form, then you will appreciate the film's deeply layered structure, rich cinematography, and skillful editing.
I've only seen this film once, but I intend on watching it several more times. Stranger is the kind of film that only gets better with repeated viewings, but only if you are an open-minded person who truly understands, respects, and appreciates the art of film and can empathize with the struggle of real artists.
So, if you like the mindless escapism that Hollywood subjects us to then enjoy... that's what it's there for. I enjoy it at times... when I'm drunk.... But, if you like to see films that challenge you, provoke thought, and can be respected on a more artistic level of substance over style, then enjoy Stranger.
Otherwise, enjoy your blockbuster and its Burger King Combo companion.
Cheers! Ollie
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
