OK film fans, after gushing over Cherish last night and getting to re-watching my favorite scenes for the umpteenth time, it got me thinking about all of the other indie films I love and re-watch whenever I can. Since tonight is a snowy mess and the weekend looks to be cold throughout, I thought tonight might be a good time for my Top 5 Indie Romance Films. So first listen to the guys at Championship vinyl and then grab some popcorn and a sweetie, it's on.
First things first, this is a huge category so we need some guidelines. I'm ruling out anything with a big name star in the mix. This automatically kills High Fidelity (John Cusack, Jack Black), Lost in Translation (Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson), Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet), and Garden State (Natalie Portman), which I wouldn't have included regardless of the rules. But we can get into that on another night.
5. Wristcutters: A Love Story If indie films are supposed to tell unique stories the studios wouldn't have the balls to make then this film definitely fits the bill. Zia (Patrick Fugit from Almost Famous all grown up) has lost the love of his life Desiree (Leslie Bibb) and decides to take his life (hence the title). Unfortunately for him he ends up in a crappy purgatory-like world filled with all the other unhappy folk who have offed themselves as well. When he finds out his ex took her life and is there (wherever he is) he grabs his friend Eugene and goes looking for her. Along the way they pick up the hitchhiking Mikal (Shannyn Sossamon) who's looking for the "people in charge". There are a ton of cool moments in this film that hint at deeper meaning. It also has a great song, the kind you would only hear in an indie film soundtrack.
4. The Tao of Steve The story here isn't that far from a Hollywood script, Dex (Donal Logue) meets Syd (Greer Goodman, the co-writer as well) whom he knew in college but doesn't remember and decides to woo her. The big difference here is the stars and the treatment of the story. Logue gained 60 lbs to play the role of Dex, who he portrays an overweight Lothario Buddha who has taken the lessons of history's great Steve's (Steve McGarrett of Hawaii 5-0, Steve Austin of The 6 Million Dollar Man and the legend himself, Steve McQueen) and created a Zen philosophy to picking up women. He tries to tutor a young friend who's having trouble landing girls while pursuing Syd, realizing along the way just how empty his philosophy is.
3. Sid and Nancy If you aren't familiar with this legendary (and yes that is Courtney Love on the left) couple, you and I might need to have a private conversation. In an alley. I'll be the one with the bat. Directed by Alex Cox, who also directed the awesome Repo Man, this indie classic does star Gary Oldman, but at the time he was new on the scene and not the star he is now some 25 years later. It's a beautiful, disturbing and haunting love story that had a horribly inevitable end. If you've already seen it, aren't up for a walk on the dark side or really liked 500 Days of Summer then you might like this homage.
2. All the Real Girls This one can't come as a surprise dear readers. I've already written about both my crush on Zooey Deschanel and how much I loved this film. I could have thrown 500 Days of Summer on this list, but I thought it might be a little excessive. This film is the closest thing to normal on the list; it's also the most heartfelt.
1. Wishful Thinking I'm going to go out on a limb here and bet you weren't expecting this. I'm also betting you probably haven't heard of it either. Indie from the get go, it tells the story of four people, 1 couple and their entanglements, Rashomon style. This lighthearted romantic comedy never fails to make me laugh and reflect on the moments when long lost loves might have gone another direction. Max (James LeGros) and Elizabeth (Jennifer Beals) are at a crossroads in their relationship. Elizabeth wants to see it move to the next level, marriage, and Max isn't sure what he wants. Lena (Drew Barrymore, when she was a main character in indie movies and only had bit parts in studio films) who works with Max at a theater, wants to steal him away and comes up with a plan to drive a wedge between them. Henry (Jon Stewart in his best acting performance) runs into Elizabeth several times and charms her with his offbeat humor. As all the stories and points of view unfold we get a funny yet insightful look at how we try to control relationships and how easily it can all change based on the simplest decisions.
Showing posts with label All the Real Girls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All the Real Girls. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
day 42 - All the Real Girls
OK film fans, another Friday night is upon us and I'm not sure what to write about tonight. The Oscars are looming and there are many new films to see and explore. And as usual when Oscar time approaches, TCM runs a month long viewing of past winners. This list always reminds me of the greats I still need to see and those I need to revisit. To be honest I'm not feeling particularly filled with wisdom or deep analytical insight so tonight we'll hold off on tackling Mt. Everest and just settle for a stroll around the block.
Just a few night ago I confessed to a Hollywood crush (one of a few) on actress Zooey Deschanel, and I'm surprised to discover that this seemed odd to more than a few of you. But as they say, the devil is in the details. Her combination of quirky nonconformist style and sensibilities joined with accessible girl next door looks puts her squarely in the category of "girls I chased in High School with limited success." Of course I blame most of that on being a jock/brain/token hybrid that even the "New Wave" kids didn't know what to make of. Throw in spending the 70s in Ames, IA and it explains my appreciation for her 60s clothing and musical influences. While I had already seen Zooey in the instant classics Almost Famous and Elf (not to mention a few other less stellar films like Mumford and The Good Girl), it wasn't until I saw her true acting chops that the crush began.
All the Real Girls, the first big budget film of rising director David Gordon Green, is a small quiet film about love in a small quiet town. Paul (Paul Schneider) is a young man in his physical prime who has been sharing himself with just about every willing young girl in her physical prime. Until his best friends' sister (not cool dude) Noel (Deschanel) comes back to their rural North Carolina town after spending six years at an all girl's boarding school. While he can't deny their mutual attraction, he wants to wait because he senses it's different, that this time it might be special. It's difficult to be on the same wavelength in a relationship, let alone when you're both young. Add in a gap in the ages and experience between the two partners and problems await. In youth emotions can change in instant and there's no experience to rely on to keep you from going astray.
Most films would have the plot revolving around the couple and their sexual syncopation, ignoring or trivializing young love and the overwhelming emotions that are created during those first new experiences. Greens skill here is not only in his loving portrayal of the supporting characters, their friends, family and the town itself, but to realize that sometimes young love is as much about confusion as it is passion. This film has a similar tone as Lost in Translation, it's fleshed out with emotional undertones that provide not only a structure for the story, but its subtext as well.
All the Real Girls is more interested in exploring the occasionally misplaced idealism of youth and the consequences that follow than creating a typical Hollywood romance. The characters are the plot and as such rely on the actors to fill in the intentions of the script. Many in the cast fill their roles so well, so acutely in tune with the repetitiveness and stillness of small town life, that they almost don't seem like actors but rather local stand-ins. Zooey brings an unexpected grace and charm to the character that now seems well within her capabilities but at the time seemed like fascinating transformation. She is natural, endearing and cruel all at once. Ever since this film I have looked forward to her performances and more often than not find the experience uniquely rewarding. The stillness I spoke of, evident in the cinematography, Zooey's performance and the editing of the film, remind us that in the quiet perhaps you are capable of seeing more beauty than you would in fast paced places or people.
I won't give away the emotional plot point that spins the film into its final act, even though I've alluded to it here, but I will end on words from the Master. "The thing about love is, if you lose it, you can also lose your ability to believe in it, and that hurts even more. Especially in a town where real love may be the only world-class thing that ever happens."
Just a few night ago I confessed to a Hollywood crush (one of a few) on actress Zooey Deschanel, and I'm surprised to discover that this seemed odd to more than a few of you. But as they say, the devil is in the details. Her combination of quirky nonconformist style and sensibilities joined with accessible girl next door looks puts her squarely in the category of "girls I chased in High School with limited success." Of course I blame most of that on being a jock/brain/token hybrid that even the "New Wave" kids didn't know what to make of. Throw in spending the 70s in Ames, IA and it explains my appreciation for her 60s clothing and musical influences. While I had already seen Zooey in the instant classics Almost Famous and Elf (not to mention a few other less stellar films like Mumford and The Good Girl), it wasn't until I saw her true acting chops that the crush began.
All the Real Girls, the first big budget film of rising director David Gordon Green, is a small quiet film about love in a small quiet town. Paul (Paul Schneider) is a young man in his physical prime who has been sharing himself with just about every willing young girl in her physical prime. Until his best friends' sister (not cool dude) Noel (Deschanel) comes back to their rural North Carolina town after spending six years at an all girl's boarding school. While he can't deny their mutual attraction, he wants to wait because he senses it's different, that this time it might be special. It's difficult to be on the same wavelength in a relationship, let alone when you're both young. Add in a gap in the ages and experience between the two partners and problems await. In youth emotions can change in instant and there's no experience to rely on to keep you from going astray.
Most films would have the plot revolving around the couple and their sexual syncopation, ignoring or trivializing young love and the overwhelming emotions that are created during those first new experiences. Greens skill here is not only in his loving portrayal of the supporting characters, their friends, family and the town itself, but to realize that sometimes young love is as much about confusion as it is passion. This film has a similar tone as Lost in Translation, it's fleshed out with emotional undertones that provide not only a structure for the story, but its subtext as well.
All the Real Girls is more interested in exploring the occasionally misplaced idealism of youth and the consequences that follow than creating a typical Hollywood romance. The characters are the plot and as such rely on the actors to fill in the intentions of the script. Many in the cast fill their roles so well, so acutely in tune with the repetitiveness and stillness of small town life, that they almost don't seem like actors but rather local stand-ins. Zooey brings an unexpected grace and charm to the character that now seems well within her capabilities but at the time seemed like fascinating transformation. She is natural, endearing and cruel all at once. Ever since this film I have looked forward to her performances and more often than not find the experience uniquely rewarding. The stillness I spoke of, evident in the cinematography, Zooey's performance and the editing of the film, remind us that in the quiet perhaps you are capable of seeing more beauty than you would in fast paced places or people.
I won't give away the emotional plot point that spins the film into its final act, even though I've alluded to it here, but I will end on words from the Master. "The thing about love is, if you lose it, you can also lose your ability to believe in it, and that hurts even more. Especially in a town where real love may be the only world-class thing that ever happens."
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