"Julien
Donkey-Boy" is an odd little film from the mind
of Harmony Korine that studies the effect of
schizophrenia on family life. Having worked in
mental health most of my life, I found the topic
interesting and the approach intriguing.
Unfortunately, I find the final product mostly
unsatisfying despite a couple fairly decent
performances.
You may be familiar with Korine's first film, "Gummo,"
a small but outstanding film. This film is a
step backwards...I wondered throughout the film
if Korine was trying to visually display the
mind of a schizophrenic. If so, he failed
miserably. If anything, he bought into
schizophrenic stereotypes and created visuals
that were more chaotic than cinematically
viable.
I read an argument that I appreciated on this
film. How can Korine put himself in the place of
a paranoid schizophrenic when he has no
experience with the subject? Of course, one does
give a certain liberty...this is, after all, a
film. Lots of films are made by filmmakers who
have, in actuality, limited knowledge of their
subject. Yet, a film of this nature sort of has
different implications. Korine ends up looking
ignorant more than insightful. The argument
compared it to Von Trier's "The Idiots," a film
which exposed the false nature of actors
portraying disabilities. Perhaps had he picked
an unknown actor, this would have worked in this
film...but, here, the actor just doesn't pull it
off.
There are wonderful performances here, most
notably an unexpected appearance by Chloe
Sevigny, who does her usual wonderful job.
Additionally, Werner Herzog turns in a powerful
performance as The Father.
In some ways, this film is beautiful. Yet, if
you look beneath the surface it actually has
very little to say. It reminds me of that old
Sex Pistol's tune "Pretty Vacant." That pretty
much sums up this film.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
|
How We Rated This Film
|
TC Candler -
|
|
|
| Richard Propes
- |
 |
D+ |
|
Jacob Hall
- |
|
|
|
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
