Coverage by Dan Krovich
September 19, 2002
Phone Booth
The perfect example of a film that sounded better on paper than it did on the screen. A thriller that takes place essentially all in a single phone booth provides a twist on a genre that generally relies on a lot of motion, but once you get beyond the gimmick, there isn't much there. As might be expected, the film just seems too static. Once the conflict is set up, it feels like everyone is just filling time before the resolution, and the film would probably work better as a short film. The other problem lies in Colin Farrell, on whose shoulders the entire film rests. He's not a bad actor and he's been touted as a future megastar, but I've just never found him to have much of a screen presence. A so-so film with an interesting gimmick that falls short.
Royal Bonbon
A madman in Haiti who believes he is the reincarnation of Christophe, the former slave who liberated the island nation, is chased out of the city into the countryside. There he comes across the ruins of Christophe's palace and declares himself king to the delight of the outcast villagers who have been awaiting their king's return. Steeped in Haitian mysticism, I found myself confused more than anything else too much of the time to really enjoy the film. It seemed like the film would require some knowledge of the history and lore of Haiti to be interesting.
Leo
This Southern Gothic tale of two parallel stories, one of a man just released from prison after serving fifteen years for murder and the other of a young family, crumbles under its own pretension. Overwrought and overacted, moments of intended intensity come across as amusing if you're still paying enough attention to notice. The film seems to go on forever, and the supposed big twist is obvious from early on. Leo is a film worth skipping.
Happy Here and Now
On the surface, Happy Here and Now is a mystery about a young woman who comes to New Orleans to try to find her sister after she disappears. While searching, she comes across her sister's computer and the hottest trail in the investigation winds up being in cyberspace, as she meets some of her sister's last contacts. This main plot is supplemented by various subplots that add to the richness of the film. Director Michael Almereyda also presents a positive view that the interconnectivity of, and ability to alter your identity in, cyberspace presents an opportunity to expand reality. A mix of mystery, technology, drama, and some New Orleans music (including a performance from Ernie K-Doe) combine to make a highly entertaining and thought-provoking film.
Preamble
Friday, September 6th
Saturday, September 7th
Sunday, September 8th
Monday, September 9th
Tuesday, September 10th
Wednesday, September 11th
Thursday, September 12th
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