CRAZY EYES (2012)

 

Directed By: Adam Sherman 

Written By: Adam Sherman, Dave Reeves and Rachel Hardisty 

Cinematography: Sharone Meir 

Editor: Sam Bauer 

Cast: Lukas Haas, Madeline Zima, Jake Busey, Tania Raymonde, Ray Wise, Valerie Mahaffey, Moran Atias, Ned Bellamy, Laura Piro, Regine Nehy 

Zach is guy for whom the party never ends. But when he meets the girl he nicknames "Crazy Eyes," the inability to have her, combined with family matters, are signs that his idle life might be due for a change.

This seems like it’s supposed to be a romantic tale. While it has a good cast, by the end you dislike most of the characters.

It can be seen as one man’s journey to find the truth. He’s so unlikeable that it’s hard to truly feel sympathy or feelings for him.

The main character is a trust fund kid. Who is also a player and an alcoholic. Who knows and believes that all around him are only after him to support or pay for them. Which the movie shows to be true for the most part.

The film mainly revolves around his fascination with a woman who goes on dates, makes out with him, and constantly sleeps with him. Though there is no sex involved.

Which he seems to be determined to do. Though not above sleeping with other women while he tries to get her. She is a major drinker herself and seems to have mental problems. Though never clearly defined. They seem to support one another from their bad decisions to the next impulse.

They each have friends that revolve around them. Who are there only to bounce thoughts off of and show they know others who might be worse off than they are. A bartender and lingerie designer. Who seems more interested in the lead to find her dreams and lifestyle.

There is even a character who just seems to be here as eye candy and temptation but doesn’t come too much. As she is just another unlikeable character in the mix. We do get to meet his parents which offers some depth and a bit of an explanation. 

there is a kind of twist by the end that somehow makes all the characters seem worse and justifies the lead somewhat. Though leaves it open-ended as to what has changed if anything in his life. It offers one of the most unfortunately downtrodden and realistic endings. 

If it weren’t for the cast I don’t know if I would have bothered finishing the film. As it seems so far teaching and kind of like a tangent against Los Angeles and its bar culture to a degree. As well as relationships. The film is very misogynistic and angry. Even though it tries to seem laid back.

The directing is all over the place and dark. The lead always wants to go to the bar or for a drink as his come-ons seem a bit much and overbearing. Though while not against drugs his character mainly indulges in alcohol. This film feels like a lighter version of BARFLY. Without any of the charm.

Luckily for a film that seems focused on sex, there is very little of it or any nudity. Though that might be disappointing to some. At least it would serve as a distraction from what we have to sit through. It would also offer a release which this film seems dedicated to not delivering on any of its points. 

What is truly disappointing is the movie has the goods and talent to be a better film but seems like it’s so indulgent that it seems doomed to fail.

One wishes the movie was more about Madeline Zina’s character. 

Grade: D