Written & Directed By: David Gordon Mitchell
Cinematography: Mike Gioulakis
Editor: Julio Perez
Music By Disasterpiece
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Grace Van Patten, Callie Hernandez, Zosia Mamet, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Jimmi Simpson, Lola Blanc, Sydney Sweeney, Summer Bashil, Don McManus, Patrick Fischler
Sam is a disenchanted 33-year-old who discovers a mysterious woman, Sarah, frolicking in his apartment's swimming pool. When she vanishes, Sam embarks on a surreal quest across Los Angeles to decode the secret behind her disappearance, leading him into the murkiest depths of mystery, scandal and conspiracy in the City of Angels.
This is what one would call a Beserker film more lightly than usual but still offers a shock to the system. It’s rare a studio will find a project that doesn’t play to the status quo and is a mystery unto itself but manages to fascinate audiences.
This film is a Classic Hollywood throwback nostalgia and personal reflections.
A stalkers story of sorts under the delusion of being chivalrous and romantic. As the road character seems mentally challenged or a bit disturbed. An odyssey As There is no real reason of why he would be this obsessed with the woman of his dreams after an initial connection but not that strong. Where he might be schizophrenic at first.
As the lead character keeps getting involved where he shouldn’t as he barely knows the woman and his search doesn’t seem like a romantic gesture, but willing to risk it all using it as an excuse for adventure. The Downside of his own chivalry fire off in all directions. So that the audience can read into it many ways and there really is no definitive answer.
One could call the movie new age spiritualism to a degree but seems more modern and generational, millennial. As the film seems to want to pay tribute to the past. Not only in details but inspiration and settings. As the main character seems obsessed of trapped in the past. Leaving him and the film to be quirky as a factor. Obsessed with vintage and seeing it as pure compared to modern day fearing to be original and true hiding behind signs of the past.
This is a film so loose that it is easy to get lost into and see whatever you want to believe it is about. As one can see why studios might have been afraid of it. As it doesn’t fit into any genre or label. So it would be hard to market. Though on the plus side it is a film that doesn’t force feed you and makes you think more than anything. Even though the film is filled with great visuals.
It seems to also want to present or showcase the neighborhoods and surroundings of California. As it’s own surroundings it personality. Making it California conspiracy pulp.
The main character remains a bit of a mystery himself. As he is obviously not perfect or innocent not even totally likeable as a protagonist. In fact at times it seems just an act as he comes off as vengeful and mean plus a bit out of it at times. Which makes him a bit more relatable as a character as he isn’t one thing or one personality always.
The film seems to want to be like a 1970’s detective story In it’s scope, size and direction. Hiding in the shadows, watching and building a mystery as he tries to piece it together. As it might be out of boredom or how in life people like to sometimes see their life and actions as part of some kind of story or adventure, but must realize when you involve others you might actually not be the main character of their lives and story and just a recurring Character or guest star. So we have as that character have to figure our own or let people see ours isn’t as exciting as others.
The film is abstract as it puts itself together to form A story and explanation. As it goes from one point of entry and eventually you get the lay of the land. As everything seems coded and goes out of it’s way to make it something more complicated than it needs to be.
The film seems to be more into itself then it truly seems to be at entertaining it serving the audience. And being weird at times for weirds sake. There is definitely a vision behind all of this but also seems to have a lot of indulgence. seems like it needs to be cut down a little. As there are no definitions to the movie. So that it seems like an opus with no editing.
The film at times comes off as all over the place. Loaded enough for a season of a television series yet never enough characters to make some stories or parallels enough. So this has to be told in one shot straight forward and find meaning.
It feels more like an interpretation of a book rather than an original creation as there seems to be so much more under the surface. Not being said and these are just the stories they decided to go with. As it feels rich yet contended and not always clear as sometimes the style seems more to take over and does what it can get away with rather than necessary needed which here keeps the film off kilter. Creating a conspiracy as everyone flyovers their own theories kind of like the film WAKING LIFE where the outsiders offer monologues only here it’s not as monotonous though exposes it’s illustrious adventure. Which can lead the audience to believe it is more like a stoner movie as it seems like things happen as after thoughts and then are given emphasis.
Where it feels like a first novel of a slacker looking to romanticize their existence and feel important. Aspiring yet falling short when swinging for the Fences. With constant presentation though not entirely sure what it’s for.
A throwback that is never clear of when or what the time period is taking place in. (Though it seems like the early 2000’s. Leaving the film to be ambitious and unpredictable. Something odd/off about the main Character as one minute he is shockingly violent when he needs to be and the other sweet and innocent. so that it feels like a quest written by the hero where he goes through a conspiracy but manages to pull through. What keeps the audience interest is that there are so much pop culture on display that it will feel familiar for them in nostalgia and keep them Wondering how it all ties together. At first it feels like enlightening fun, but then it feels like it goes on too long and by the end realize like many mysteries there are so many red herrings and misdirections. That it feels like the many people you have to meet for a plan, and we get to meet each one some longer than others. As things are slowly revealed.
For some odd reason the film keeps you invested and haunting even after watching it and might be ready at first to write it off.
Though it can be bratty, pretentious and takes itself way too seriously. It believers itself deeper than it is. Yet you believe there is potential there and it is better than it may present itself. As there is plenty about it that is memorable. Just not classic. So in other words this film is a teenager
The score of the movie is more of a classical grandiose level.
The film stays inventive continuously leading us along on this adventure and keeps presenting us with something new.
Goes right with the movie INHERENT VICE. Though not as strong or so much of a follow through. Though both take you on a journey. Where you are learning things just as the lead character does. Though we have the added effect of finding out things about him. The Film has a pretty 1970’s feel and freedom with nudity and sex about it.
As at it’s dark heart it concerns Legacies wanting to be remembered on the future. Which is always on many minds, But it usually appeals to older people. Now it seems the youth is more obsessed with it.
The ending feels unsatisfying and almost feels like it’s not worth all we have been through. As it paints itself into a corner that doesn’t have a right way out. Making it a weird find if fantasy much ado About nothing.
I don’t know exactly what I am watching but in know it is original and something special that is a mystery but I don’t know if it wants to be solved or if it just is presenting a story that is full of ideas and interest and really has no clear ending as real life doesn’t Doesn’t necessarily.
It’s a journey into someone’s imagination and creativity that doesn’t have an easy explanation and leaves itself open to interpretation.
Throughout this film is really a character that showcases white male privilege as none of this is any of his business but because he wants to know is the reason that he keeps poking his nose where it doesn’t belong and he feels he is owed an explanation. Not to mention he keeps seeming to get things handed to him and rails about injustice. When after all is revealed he really doesn’t deserve anything and is actually kind of scary from a different viewpoint.
Ultimately this is a film to watch but afterwards you might find yourself thinking about more and more. Discussing it and trying to break it down like the lead character does with everything around him. Might actually be just as fun or more rewarding then the actual viewing of the movie. As the film is missing heart making it feel empty to a degree.
Grade: B-
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