So far, only two others have reviewed this experimental cluster-f*ck of nonsense and surrealism, and they have both written reviews that are practically essay length. I respect them highly, because I cannot imagine doing so for this particular film, because, frankly, it just left me speechless. I have not been left speechless because this film is "so good" or "so bad", but because it is "so WEIRD"!
Do not get me wrong, I absolutely adore weird. "Eraserhead" is my favorite film of all time, and David Lynch is easily my favorite filmmaker-and the main reason that I even bought the eclipse series DVD set of some of Downey Sr.'s films was because they looked SO WEIRD.
However, there is a difference between something that is simply weird and something that is absolute nonsense. I believe that this film falls into the latter category, but I thought it was okay despite this claim. In the midst of this chaotic avant garde mess, there are moments of magic and hilarity. There are some great lines of dialogue and hilarious surreal skits throughout, but there are also plenty of sections that make so little sense that they aren't funny or interesting, they're just random and boring.
I do respect this film for being much more playful than pretentious. A film as bizarre and experimental as this may sometimes just come across as a failed attempt to make an artistic masterpiece, however this really isn't the case with this film. This film knows it doesn't make any sense, and sort of celebrates that with humor and silliness. Downey Sr. did not at all seem to intend the making of a great art film, he just wanted to have fun and play with the very idea and structure of cinema itself. I respect him deeply for making his most experimental film so silly and slightly self aware.
If you are interested, this film is mildly recommended. There's definitely plenty of funny things in it, but it does get ridiculously tedious and painfully random at times-so enter this film with caution.
Do not get me wrong, I absolutely adore weird. "Eraserhead" is my favorite film of all time, and David Lynch is easily my favorite filmmaker-and the main reason that I even bought the eclipse series DVD set of some of Downey Sr.'s films was because they looked SO WEIRD.
However, there is a difference between something that is simply weird and something that is absolute nonsense. I believe that this film falls into the latter category, but I thought it was okay despite this claim. In the midst of this chaotic avant garde mess, there are moments of magic and hilarity. There are some great lines of dialogue and hilarious surreal skits throughout, but there are also plenty of sections that make so little sense that they aren't funny or interesting, they're just random and boring.
I do respect this film for being much more playful than pretentious. A film as bizarre and experimental as this may sometimes just come across as a failed attempt to make an artistic masterpiece, however this really isn't the case with this film. This film knows it doesn't make any sense, and sort of celebrates that with humor and silliness. Downey Sr. did not at all seem to intend the making of a great art film, he just wanted to have fun and play with the very idea and structure of cinema itself. I respect him deeply for making his most experimental film so silly and slightly self aware.
If you are interested, this film is mildly recommended. There's definitely plenty of funny things in it, but it does get ridiculously tedious and painfully random at times-so enter this film with caution.