TINY FURNITURE (2010)

Written & Directed By: Lena Dunham Cinemantography By: Jody Lee Lipes Editor: Lance Edmands Cast: Lena Dunham, Laurie Simmons, Grace Dunham, Amy Seimetz, Alex Karpovsky, Jemima Kirke, Rachel Howe, Merritt Wever About a recent college grad who returns home while she tries to figure out what to do with her life. This film marches to the beat of it’s own drummer. It is not afraid to show the good, The bad and the ugly when it comes to it’s characters especially the lead who is going through a universal dilemma but handling it in her own way. This film gives a woman’s P.O.V. of post collegiate blues finally. Not a male point of view nor a female point of view written by a man giving his opinion of what he thinks a woman goes through. Writer/Director/Star Lena dunham doesn’t paint herself in a holy light. She exposes all of her fears and probably makes them worse. It shows a certain fearlessness and a exciting new voice in film. The composition of shots in scenes is a sight to behold with a artists eye that is simple as it focuses but expresses so much through so little. Sadly the film isn’t as good as I thought it would be or was lead to believe by other reviewers who raved about it. It’s a good film just not as great as it was said to be a questionable criterion release on dvd. Though I would definitely say Ms. Dunham at 25 is a director to watch for. She uses her parents real apartment and casts not only her mother, but also her real sister as themselves or versions of them, She also casts her friends in certain roles playing her friends. It tries to have a certain amount of meta. They give believable, funny and at times touching performances. The scene stealer is actually Jemima Kirke who plays her best friend. She has a beauty and style both classic and offbeat. As is her performance. Leaving me wanting to see more of her in the film. The characters do come off more as hipsters then full blooded human beings. So that many characters you never feel anything for. Most of them come off as unlikeable to a degree coming off as snobby or above it all when they are just as petty and not as advanced as they think they are. This seems like a more polished Mumble core film. Where as I find it hard to sympathize with the character as it comes off as a privledged girl complaining about her decent yet aimless life. Though there are themes and emotions most of us can relate to. The film feels like it is honest. It's just that herhonesty at the point while interesting as in an author is the only person who can tell their own story in their own voice.It's just not a story that is for everyone. While i felt some insight. There was nothing special to the tale. It was just one of many others out there inthe same situation. Only her's is particular to her. I can't say there is anything here for me to identify with. IT is a fun jaunt into her world, Just not a place i in particular want to stay in as it seems repetitive and whiny. Though it is up to you to make the choice how you feel about it all. Lena Dunham is brave showing herself as a human more focusing on the negative then the positive. At least she is writing and making what she knows, at least she’s not trying to pontificate on subjects she knows nothing about but has an opinion on. I await further films from her. This is a sad film with some wisdom and joy that slowly come. GRADE: C+