On DVD and IFC
Before his big budget star-studded return with Milk, Gus Van Sant spent the better part of the last decade making smaller, low budget affairs with no stars and minimal plot. He seems obsessed with teenagers (especially males) and recent tragic cultural landmarks. Last Days (Kurt Cobain’s death) and Elephant (the Columbine killings) were filled with long interrupted shots (frequently behind walking characters), an eclectic soundtrack, and sparse dialogue. With Last Days (B-), Van Sant seems interested in the artistic process while Elephant (B+) is one of the better films about teenage malaise and alienation in recent years. With Paranoid Park, Van Sant is dealing with guilt, remorse, and self-inflicted torment . . .
Alex (Gabe Nevins) is dealing with the breakup of his parents and enjoys skateboarding with friends. One night at a local skateboard hangout known as Paranoid Park, he gets invited to jump a freight train which ultimately results in an accidental grisly death. Alex is overcome with guilt and begins to unravel as he tries to deal with family and friends. That’s the plot. The time juxtapositions (flash-forwards and flashbacks) are suitable for Alex’s stream-of-consciousness, borderline delusional state. Van Sant fills the film with interesting dialogue-less scenes commenting on Alex’s mindset. A slow-motion shower scene has drops of water falling from Alex’s face while a separate outdoor scene shows falling leaves while the camera follows Alex around. Also, secondary characters are barely visualized or completely obscured. His mother is mostly shown from behind while his little brother is hidden by a column during an extended scene as he talks to his brother (who’s in plain sight). Apply your own interpretation. It certainly is an “art” film more concerned with inner turmoil than action. And there’s plenty of symbolism for the viewer to soak in (the fire covering Alex’s face at the end is another nice touch).
But Van Sant insists on using non-actors (and occasionally improvised dialogue). It might be an attempt to feel more realistic (or maybe it’s his fragile ego – he’s definitely the star here). The non-professional actresses are distracting and Nevins plays Alex rather blandly, with only one blank expression. While the movie is short on acting, dialogue, and plot, Van Sant has enough ideas and tricks to give the film depth you wouldn’t expect. B
Alex (Gabe Nevins) is dealing with the breakup of his parents and enjoys skateboarding with friends. One night at a local skateboard hangout known as Paranoid Park, he gets invited to jump a freight train which ultimately results in an accidental grisly death. Alex is overcome with guilt and begins to unravel as he tries to deal with family and friends. That’s the plot. The time juxtapositions (flash-forwards and flashbacks) are suitable for Alex’s stream-of-consciousness, borderline delusional state. Van Sant fills the film with interesting dialogue-less scenes commenting on Alex’s mindset. A slow-motion shower scene has drops of water falling from Alex’s face while a separate outdoor scene shows falling leaves while the camera follows Alex around. Also, secondary characters are barely visualized or completely obscured. His mother is mostly shown from behind while his little brother is hidden by a column during an extended scene as he talks to his brother (who’s in plain sight). Apply your own interpretation. It certainly is an “art” film more concerned with inner turmoil than action. And there’s plenty of symbolism for the viewer to soak in (the fire covering Alex’s face at the end is another nice touch).
But Van Sant insists on using non-actors (and occasionally improvised dialogue). It might be an attempt to feel more realistic (or maybe it’s his fragile ego – he’s definitely the star here). The non-professional actresses are distracting and Nevins plays Alex rather blandly, with only one blank expression. While the movie is short on acting, dialogue, and plot, Van Sant has enough ideas and tricks to give the film depth you wouldn’t expect. B
1 comment:
Looks good. I have seen lots of Last Days and liked it, but not Elephant.
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