Cinematography By: Lucas Lee Graham
Editor: Soojin Chung
Cast: Roy Abramsohn, Elena Schuber, Katelynn Rodriguez, Jack Dalton, Danielle Safady, Annet Mahendru, Lee Armstrong
In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father's sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday.
Don’t Really Want to give too much away. I will admit that this was one of the films I was most excited to see when I heard about it and certainly wasn’t disappointed by it. The anticipation was certainly high once it was announced it would be released. Filmed at Disney World and Disneyland without permission.
What can I really say about this film. The title informs you a bit of what you are in for. This is one that you have to make up your mind if you are going to follow untrue uncertainty and just try to enjoy the ride or are you going kicking and screaming whole noting any and all disappointments as it doesn't follow the known perimeters and rules of more linear films. The film seems more of an artistic expression of imagination in a film package. It's just the form the artist chooses to make their message.
You know what you are getting into initially and that is what the film uses for it's base. It knows you expect off kilter and doesn't try to disguise it. If anything one of the more interesting aspects is when it plays conventional with experiences that as a parent, husband or both you can find yourself identifying with.
I hate to sound cliche, but it's all very lynch-ian in a more screwball comedic way, not dead pan ironic humor. You just have to follow the film as it goes along,
The film has a fun energy that while at times feeling self important puts you at ease to just enjoy what is happening and where the film may take you.
I Personally see the film as not only a man's slow mental breakdown, but also a vision of a man's mid-life crisis as he goes of the rails due to it. We watch the mundane life he is leading and while he is trying to keep his family happy he seems to be punished for getting distracted or following his own desires. Trying to find his own entertainment on this so called family vacation more suited for the kids. That is my theory as you watch this film I believe others will take away what they choose as the film is truly hard to define. Though is fun as it leads you around and you follow it wherever it takes you.
We get to see the good the bad and the ugly as he drinks too much tries to disguise an injury, chase temptation and try to get romantic and sexual with his wife. I enjoy the far out elements as well as the real such as arguing with his wife. Dealing with his son and trust issues. That terror you feel when your child is missing even if for a few seconds and the minutes feel like an eternity
It's beautifully filmed the shots, angles and cinematography are a feat to behold as you also wonder how the filmmakers were able to get away with a lot of it.
I wonder if Disney allowed this film to be released as it doesn't really paint them in too bad a way and I is just more of a location for the crazy story, plus by allowing and not banning the film from ever being released it shows them as good natures while having a sense I humor about itself. It is what at first makes the film so noteworthy and garnered it’s buzz and a bit of controversy as it was wondered if the film would ever be released officially and if it could be, Luckily it was. I wonder if not would we all be seeing a bootleg grainy version that would hurt the films reception or maybe it would be released like the infamous Tom Cruise/Scientology SOUTH PARK episode that had no real credits as no one’s name was listed for the various crew and cast jobs. --It also makes you wonder how much of the film is artistic expression, Satire and how much is also a calling card, As nothing attracts an audience more then daring and controversy. Showing your skills, determination and passion especially when a beginner and still hungry.
One of the qualities that the film presents is that it leaves you spin-off kilter that you begin to suspect in every scene anything can happen so any hints you are already suspecting of leading to something even crazier. Sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't.
The few displeases of the film is that there really is no story or reason for the film really to exist. Also the effects in certain scenes are rough and obviously faked. Which actually lends itself to the films charm and strangeness. As uncertain scenes you can tell the actors are superimposed into the scenes and locations.
While you watch the film, As it manages to put a smile on your face it also manages to fill you with dread as everything seems normal but a bit off and horror always seems just around the corner. Leaving you with many questions like.
What is it with those French girls? where are their parents?
Why is that guy in the wheelchair always around?
Buzz Lightyear the ride?
Sure the film is indulgent, but you have to respect the film-making and imagination on display as this is certainly one of the more original crazy films of the year and more coherent then the usual bat-shit crazy Avant-garde films. Definitely one you won't forget.
SPOILER
It makes one wonder if towards the films ending if the character is punished for not following his desires, No matter how wrong they are and also that if you deviate from the plans that others have set for you also will lead to sorrow. Either way you are screwed. And free will, will just lead you down the wrong road. So just have fun while you can.
SPOILER END
GRADE: B+
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