[IMDB link] [Netflix link] Gotta finish watching the rest of Todd Solondz‘s movies…
UNCOMFORTABLE PLOT SUMMARY (inspired by this): [highlight for spoilers]→ Racist girl fucks teacher and cries rape; Rape-mothering maid kills family and children.
PEOPLE: Selma Blair with pretty blonde hair with pink highlights. Robert Wisdom (Alpha in Sex & Death 101). Mark Webber. John Goodman. The still-lovely-at-50 Julie Hagerty (Airplane 1-2, Malcolm In The Middle, Just Friends). Paul Giamatti in one of his dorkiest roles ever. Lupe Ontiveros (who we JUST saw in Dark Mirror). Conan O’Brien (cameo). A bit part by Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe from 24, The Larry Sanders Show, Human Giant, Dude Where’s My Car?, etc). Bit part by Xander Berkeley (George Mason from 24, Coldsteel from Gargoyles, the king from Year One, Tapeheads, Superman/Batman:Public Enemies).
James Van Der Beek’s parts were cut out. [discussion]
QUIRKS: The movie consists of 2 completely separate stories, dealing with interracial teacher-student text, racism, apathy, teenagers, homosexuality, family crises, writing, and filmmaking Both sub-movies involve people making their own creative works: Either writing fiction, or making a documentary film.
The IMDB forums are definitely insightful for this movie.
SOUNDTRACK: I really could have done without the Belle & Sebastian.
MORALS: If you’re looking for morals, you probably shouldn’t be watching Todd Solondz films.
BAD STUFF: The 2 stories don’t really interconnect, which makes this less of a movie in my mind. And it’s nihilistic to the point of making you wonder why Solondz bothered to make it into a movie. The points ARE in there — you just have to look for them. This isn’t really made for a “casual” moviegoer.
CONCLUSION: While definitely being more interesting than most movies, and making more discerning points… This still failed to really ‘wow’ me; it was kind of bleak and about nothingness, in a sense. It’s definitely an above-average film, but my favorite Todd Solondz movie is still Fear, Anxiety & Depression, followed by Happiness. (But I still haven’t seen Welcome To The Dollhouse.)
RATINGS:
Clint: Netflix: 3/5 stars. IMDB: 7/10.
Carolyn: Netflix: 3/5 stars. IMDB: 7/10.
The native public rating for this movie is: IMDB: 6.7/10, Netflix: 3.1/5 stars (Netflix‘s predicted rating for us was 3.5/5 stars).
RECOMMENDATION: Todd Solondz enhtusiasts should check this out. MAKE SURE TO GET THE UNRATED VERSION.
SIMILAR MOVIES: Todd Solondz movies. Actually, Gregg Araki films kind of remind me of what Todd Solondz films would be like, if they were a bit more fun.
MOVIE QUOTE: Mr. Scott: “I don’t know about what happened… because once you start writing, it ALL becomes fiction.”
FRIENDS’ RATINGS: Eric M & Christie loved it. Glen really liked it. Ian liked it. Benj was not interested in it (I think he would have maybe liked it).Mood: switch to American Disposal Services now!
Music: Gwar – Tormentor
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