Life
is not always blissful.
If I had a
list for the Top 10 low-budget, independent
releases of all-time I guarantee you that
"Virgil Bliss" would be on the list.
Writer/director Joe Maggio does what few
directors with enormous directors accomplish. He
creates a captivating film by using a wonderful
story, excellent dialogue and well-developed
characters.
"Virgil Bliss" centers on a recently paroled
career thief who is struggling to do the right
things, settle down, get a real job and fall in
love. Of course, in the life of an ex-con these
things are never as easy as they sound and this
film deals realistically and vividly with the
obstacles and pitfalls of a lifetime of bad
choices.
As played by Clint Jordan, ex-con Bliss is a mix
of good old Southern boy, macho convict and
little boy with barely a social skill. At times,
the performance is a tad too clean for me but
Jordan does wonders here with the role and turns
what could have been a very one-note performance
into a multi-dimensional tour-de-force.
As the hooker he becomes convinced he loves,
Kirsten Russell steals every scene she is in
with a powerful performance of street tough
anger with innocent vulnerability.
What is brilliant about both performances is
that, clearly, neither of these characters are
truly "good" people. They've done horrible
things, made horrible choices and continue to
test each other, challenge each other and
stumble along the way to love and trust. Yet,
along the way you can't help but fall for these
characters. You want them to win out, fall in
love, make it work...you care about them even
when they don't really care about themselves.
The supporting performances are, across the
board, excellent and the production design
accomplishes wonders on an obviously small
budget. The lighting excels, the camera work is
simple yet effective.
This film serves as absolute proof that
miraculous, powerful films can be produced on
even the smallest of budgets. In a day when we
are spending over $150 million to witness hollow
looking kids in Christmas films one can't help
but be practically orgasmic at the site of such
wisdom, wonder and beauty in a film such as
"Virgil Bliss." Do I recommend this film?
Absolutely.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
