Movie Review - Southland Tales

Finally...A Modern Movie Worth Seeing Over...and...Over...and...Over...and...Over...

 "We spent years designing it, and I think upon first viewing it rushes over you and leaves you in a daze."   So says Richard Kelly, director of Southland Tales (and Donnie Darko).  I couldn't have said it better myself.  Budd and I saw Southland Tales, which played for about, oh, a minute and a half, at the Carousel in December.  We saw it with one other person in the theatre.  Who walked out at the beginning of the amazing credits. In the Bistro theatre with the small screen.  There won't be another chance to see it until it comes out on DVD in March of this year.  You may not fully understand the plot (I didn't), but experiencing Southland Tales will leave you breathless.

Looking at IMDB's message boards under Richard Kelly, you can see that he is, like numerous other great directors, a polarizing figure.  You either love him or loathe him.  You either get his stuff or you don't.  I'd have a hard time summarizing the plot of Southland Tales for anyone, so here, read about it at Wikipedia.

So what did I like about this film, and what would my review of it be?  Well, first and foremost, it is a visual feast, the likes I haven't experienced in a long time.  The fact that Kelly could pull this off on a budget of $17 million is simply stunning to me, when it takes $300 million to crank out three-quels like Pirates of the Caribbean III.  Kelly's quote is correct - this film rushes over you and leaves you in a daze.  It took me several hours to recover from the visuals; I sat in the car while Budd prowled Ed McKay's and just stared at the blue sky, and felt as though I had been hypnotized.  Similar feelings to what I experience every time I see my personal favorite movie of all time, Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

$17 million also buys you this highly unusual cast:  Justin Timberlake; Sean William Scott (redefining himself after the American Pie um...thing); Sarah Michelle Gellar; Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson; Nora Dunn; Cheri Oteri; Amy Poehler; Miranda Richardson; John Larroquette; Jon Lovitz; Kevin Smith.  I'm sure these actors and entertainers don't work on the cheap, normally.  And with all that SNL alumni, perhaps you'd think this might be a comedy?  It has its moments, but they are very, very unexpected, and very dark.  Just the way we like them.

The Washington Post review says, "Kelly knew his movie would push buttons.

'The film is meant to be a tapestry of ideas all related to some of the biggest issues that I think we're facing right now, whether it's homeland security or alternative fuel or the increasing obsession with celebrity and how celebrity now intertwines with politics,' Kelly told reporters."

Tapestry it is.  There's so much going on that it's hard to keep up, unless you see it multiple times (which I intend to do). 

And a word about seeing Southland Tales:  Don't make the same mistake I did -- assuming you can wait for it to come out on DVD.  (Update - well, too late for that - expect the DVD in March 08)  As we were driving to the theatre on Monday, I asked my darling Budd, "What is this about? Why can't we wait until it comes out on Netflix? Why do we have to see it on the big screen?"  We bantered back and forth a bit, until Budd finally said, "I just want to see it on the big screen, that's all," and so, as it was Christmas Eve, I gave in.  After the movie, after I had applauded in the theatre (which I almost NEVER do), I thanked Budd for insisting that we see it in the theatre.  "You should know by now," said Budd, "never to question me on matters of film or literature."  You are right, Budd.  It should have been put in the wedding vows.  I promise to love, honor, and never question you about film or literature, genius that you are. 

Southland Tales may not be the most accessible film plot-wise, but it's a sure bet that your senses will be working overtime.  Especially recommended for fans of arthouse films, surrealism, eye-popping special effects, cult film fans, and people with really open minds.  If you fit into any of those categories mentioned above, you won't regret it.

Comments

[Budd]

I agree. Visually stunning. And how many films can you rattle off without thinking that throw absolutely batshit metaphysics at you - AND start with Chapter 4? Other than one that came out about thirty years ago, and that shall remain nameless...

[Tina]

Help me, Budd-i-Wan Wilk-o-bee...you're my only hope.