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"Parker Posey Stars
in THE MATRIX 4..." |
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Directed by Hal Hartley
- Written by Hal Hartley
Starring Parker Posey,
Jeff Goldblum, Thomas
Jay Ryan, Saffron
Burrows
D.J. Mendel, Liam Aiken,
Megan Gay, Leo
Fitzpatrick
Jasmin Tabatabai, Chuck
Montgomery, James
Urbaniak
Distributed by Magnolia
Pictures -
2007 - 118m - Rated R |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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B+ |
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In what is being billed as the sequel to "Henry Fool," arguably his
best film, Hal Hartley attempts to recapture American audiences with
"Fay Grim," a twisting and turning thriller with darkly comic
undertones and a quirky style all its own. |
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Utilizing entirely
Dutch angles in every camera shot, "Fay Grim" will either captivate
you with the uniqueness of its vision or leave you gasping for air
with its frenzied pace, intelligently random dialogue and off-kilter
visual presentation.
While viewing "Henry Fool," an underrated gem, isn't necessarily
required to fully appreciate "Fay Grim," a certain familiarity with
the previous film will undoubtedly enhance one's appreciation for
"Fay Grim" and for the wonderful performances contained within.
As Fay, indie favorite Parker Posey reprises her role as the ever so
neurotic widow left behind by a vanished Henry Fool at the end of
the first film. With Henry out of the picture for much of "Fay
Grim," Fay tends to her 14-year-old son (Liam Aiken). Simon (James
Urbaniak), the writer who took the fall for Henry, sits in prison
while Fay falls for his publisher (Chuck Montgomery). When a CIA
agent (Jeff Goldblum) shows up at her door one day, the stage is set
for a globe-trotting, mind-altering and yet genuinely suspenseful
search for the truth about Henry Fool (Thomas Jay Ryan).
Attempting to explain a film such as "Fay Grim" is, in actuality, an
exercise in futility. With awkward, occasionally stilted dialogue
alongside unusual production design and its underlying sense of
humor, "Fay Grim," while falling a tad short of the mastery of
"Henry Fool" is still a remarkably alive and mesmerizing film.
So, too, in this time in American history surrounded by grave
controversy over America's involvement in Iraq and the Middle East,
"Fay Grim" is a surprisingly astute and insightful film about the
state of world politics.
Posey, long one of my favorite indie actresses, is stellar in a role
that deserves to be remembered come time for this year's Independent
Spirit Awards. Balancing both the earthiness and the power found
within her character, Posey's performance is so finely nuanced that
every word spoken speaks volumes and every look, movement and
gesture feels important.
Goldblum, who vacillates far too often between cringe-worthy
performances and those that are utterly profound, is perfectly cast
as the deceptively straightforward Fulbright. "Fay Grim" is, in many
ways, a true ensemble film and the rest of the supporting cast shine
when called upon.
While it may initially catch you off guard, Sarah Cawley's camera
work is a perfect complement to Hartley's Dutch angles, while
Hartley himself masterfully scores the film.
While "Fay Grim" possesses enough twists and turns to keep even the
most observant moviegoer guessing until the very end, Hartley
himself seemed a bit confused about how to end a film that over the
course of two hours had become part espionage thriller, part quirky
comedy, part family drama, action film and even part family drama.
While occasionally drowning under the weight of its quirkiness,
intelligence and pretence, "Fay Grim" is an emotionally and
intellectually centered film that will resonate with viewers long
after the film has ended.
"Fay Grim" was an official selection of the 2007 Indianapolis
International Film Festival and opens in limited release on May 18,
2007 with a summer DVD release already scheduled. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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TC Candler's Comment
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Comment
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