A young man learns something about making his fantasies into reality from an older man who has already been there in this coming-of-age drama. Cameron (Michael Angarano) is a teenage film buff living in Los Angeles who dreams of making movies himself someday, an ambition that doesn't impress his parents very much. Cameron doesn't have many friends beyond fellow outcast Murphy (Joshua Boyd), and wealthy and popular classmate Brett (Taber Schroeder) takes great pleasure in making Cameron's life
miserable. A major film school in L.A. has announced a competition for young filmmakers, but while Cameron has talent and ideas, Brett has the money to buy film stock and rent equipment, and Cameron wonders if he stands any chance at all. One evening, while attending a screening of Orson Welles' Touch of Evil at a revival theater, Cameron sees an elderly man who shouts at the screen about his old pal Orson. Cameron is thus introduced to Flash Madden (Christopher Plummer), who worked as a lighting man during the Golden Age of Hollywood and really did work with some of the most respected names in the business, including Welles. While cranky Flash doesn't much care for Cameron at first, in time he sees a kindred spirit in the movie-mad teenager, and offers his technical know-how and sources of equipment to the would-be director. Flash also introduces Cameron to Mickey Hopkins (M. Emmet Walsh), a former screenwriter who helped script a number of silver-screen classics but is now living in a shabby old folks' home, and in Hopkins, Cameron finds the inspiration for just the sort of movie he wants to make. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
By salvaging a troubled script with deep, committed, touching portrayals, Plummer and Walsh help prove Schroeder's points about how Hollywood isn't just the province of the rich, young and pretty.
Though they can't transcend writer-director Michael Schroeder's pointed contrivances, the actors tap into something achingly true in this valentine to Hollywood's below-the-line crafts people and society's castoffs.
A fair-to-middling contemporary fantasy drama that, despite its surfeit of flashy effects, is mildly charming in the way it addresses the injustice of old folk having to live out their final years in decrepit homes.
Watchable drama with a strong performance from Christopher Plummer, though the script often feels simplistic and can't quite manage the emotional punch the story deserves.
Overdirected and underwritten, this litany of Hallmark Channel tropes and button-pushing sentiment uses Tinseltown treacle to gussy up an otherwise forgettable message movie about humane treatment for the elderly.
A film that probably never wouldn't have seen the light of a projector if it wasn't for some kind of "Let's get Actor X that long-deserved Oscar" grab.
I DESPERATELY wanted to love this movie. Such a sweet premise. Indie flick that's barely anyone has seen...and WOOOOOOOBOYWOOOOOOOOOODAMNWOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHhMIGHT MIGHTY MERCY ME!!!It sucked.Christopher Plummer does a fine job, but he's the ONLY redeeming aspect of this movie.First of all, why on God's green Earth did
the DP decide to film half of the movie in a shaky, piece of shit, Transformers-style montage with quick wipes and pans that COMPLETELY take you out of the movie? Worse yet, why the fuck does he tack on a disgusting green filter Matrix-style that make you vomit all over your pants? Why the fuck was he born?Da fuck is dat shit all bout?The last comment may have been harsh.BUT NO!Let's talk about the ridiculous script. So the main character is apparently "bullied" by a rival filmmaker. Really? How the fuck is he "bullied" if he:A - Launches his bicycle off the dude's carB - Tackles him in a bowling alley and gets arrested for assaultC - BLOWS UP THE DUDE'S FUCKING MOVIE.YES he BLOWS UP THE DUDE'S MOVIE. Talk about a brilliant way to end an "inspiring montage" with Christopher Plummer.All right now, boy, let's get that final shot! OH MY IT KICKS ASS WERE GOING TO WIN AN AWARD FOR THIS! LETS GO OUT AND CELEBRATE LIKE OLD PEOPLE AND YOUNG HIGHSCHOOL FUCKS DO IN THIS DAY AND AGE! DRINKING MONTAGE!!!! DRINKIN MONTAGE AND SMOKIN CIGARS MONTAGE!! QUICK CUTS AND PUKE GREEN CAMERA SHOTS MONTAGE!!! AND NOW LETS BLOW UP THIS POOR BASTARDS GENERATOR MONTAGE! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SIR EPIC.Fuck me.
February 27, 2009
Karl Vanderhoof
Super Reviewer
WINNER of FIVE 2007 Poppies including Best Director (Michael Schroeder), Best Actor (Christopher Plummer, co-winner with Patrick Fugit of Wristcutters), Best Supporting Actor (M. Emmet Walsh). Superb character drama about a young aspiring filmmaker and the embittered old stagehand he persuades to help him with his
student film. Top notch performances from Michael Angarano and Christopher Plummer, as well as a strong supporting cast including M Emmet Walsh and Robert Wagner. A MAJOR Poppies contender this year - definately a "Don't Miss" Movie! NOw showing on IFC Festival Direct on many ONDemand cable systems, andc !oming soon to DVD
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