Seen: May 11,2007
Format: DVD
Rating: 9
I've yet to invoke any of Ebert's Laws in this blog, and I need to, so I'll paraphrase one often written: "A film's not what it's about, it's about how it's about what it's about". If this statement baffles you, or you just don't care what it mean or want to try to understand it, you'll hate this film. If you do, you may like it.
I'm going way beyond like here.
This is film is about a famous actor who hasn't made a movie in four years researching the role of a grocery manager for a very small independent film he's considering participating in. Whew. One sentence, accurate description, tells you what the film is about, but almost nothing about the film itself. This is actually a good thing, as it leaves a ton of room for the how bit.
The how is all about human connection. It's about meeting people, being interested in them, helping them, arguing with them, learning from them, sharing with them, but not defining yourself in terms of them. It's a strong statement that connection is worth while and makes us better in a potential multitude of ways.
It does this by remaining ultimately simple and true. There is nothing complicated here. There are no big agendas, no insidious plots. There are fundamental desires and the emotions that go along with them. There are no real good guys and bad guys. There are people doing what they do, being themselves, whether we like that or not. This allows all the things that happen, all the people we meet, to get out of the way and participate in what's really happening.
And that is that two people are learning from each other. The actor, Him, is explicitly and proactively learning. He is doing his craft. He is absorbing and integrating, placing himself squarely in the stead of those he meets. He want to understand, to connect, to become. It's what he does.
Scarlet learns that things don't have to be the way she perceives them. She learns that she has power to change things and that changing herself, while potentially terrifying, is not only possible, but perhaps even good.
While there is Truth here, there is little right and wrong. The film remains remarkably objective. Neither Scarlet or Him is portrayed as superior. They have their own strengths and weaknesses. Him knows and admits his, Scarlet begins to work on hers.
Ultimately this film will be boring to many. There's not enough Drama to be considered engaging by the masses. This is truly a shame, because there is brilliant dialogue and characterization here. The are subtle and beautiful moments that are so commonplace that we probably often overlook them in real life. Silberling has captured a wonderful moment, that should remind us of all the similar moments we've had, and encourage us to perhaps seek them out instead of waiting for them to happen by chance.
I doubt that this film will ever see critical acclaim. It's more an experiment than anything else. But I find it wildly successful and consider it one of the most enjoyable films I've seen this year.
The Good: Acting at its simplest and finest
The Bad: Not generally accessible
The Ugly: Sleeping with the Manager
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