When the lights dimmed in the Canal Place Cinema, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Within mere moments, I'd forgotten that I was in the heart of New Orleans and found myself completely enthralled with the opening words; a curious and heartbreaking monologue by the film's main character, Art. By the time his face entered the frame, there was no trace of "Robert Pattinson", there was simply Art, awkward and tender, wholly befuddled by the biting world he attempted to navigate.
There is something so uniquely true to life about this film. It explored the murky themes of family bonds and the all-too-often lacks thereof, the lonely defeat of indecision and that maddening dance of knowing exactly who you want to be, but finding yourself completely eluded by how to be that person. Of course, just like life, even in the darkest of mind states there is laughter and those who stand by your side. Those who perhaps see that you are farther along than you'd have yourself believe.
What inspired me most was the theme of perseverance in the face of echoing fiascoes. And the beautiful depiction of the gritty truth that sometimes you must strip yourself down and let go of the familiar in order to clear the debris from your path. I've seen no better representation of this reality facet than that which takes place when Art finally decides to seize control of his personal veracity and his place here on Earth.
I've often described this movie as "perfect", an audacious description that I do not bestow lightly. The soulful direction of Oliver Irving serves as a magnifying glass over the raw and genuine performances of the superbly selected cast. Each actor brings his/her best to the table and seem to share with each other the exact notion of what the story is all about; breathing irrefutable life into this polished gem of an indie film.
The dynamic between Art, Ronny and Nikki was so natural and well-executed that I quite honestly forgot they were merely fictional friends in a film. Their ad-libbed endeavors were so flawless that a missed beat did not exist and undoubtedly added to the authenticity of their quirky, endearing friendships.
Johnny White had me rolling in the aisles as the quick-witted, flat-dwelling, nitrous-huffing Ronny. The best thing about his portrayal was the fact that he brought the funny in a big way without his character realizing just how amusing he was. Not to take away from his dramatic ability, however; for one of the most surprisingly downhearted elements of the film was his to bear.
Mike Pearce, who described himself as the epitome of the non-actor, shined as Nikki, the flamboyant go-getter who loved the ladies and brought some much needed lightheartedness to the trio of lovable misfits. I'm very much inclined to respectfully disagree with his humble self-assessment and look forward to seeing him on the big screen in the future.
Robert Pattinson's performance was above and beyond anything I could have imagined, and I went into this movie with high expectations for this role. Through him, Art came to life in a way that I've never experienced in a film and for 85 glorious minutes I shared his dolor, his elation, his anxiety and his laughter as though I was watching the story of someone I'd known my whole life. His approach to Art's graceless good intentions was one of exceptional skill that you seldom find in a relatively inexperienced actor.
Simply put, he is brilliant; a knowledge that doesn't really hit you until the credits start rolling when you remember that it was in fact Pattinson and not solely Art that you'd been watching and fervently routing for during the last hour and a half.
To bottom line it; this movie is a down-right hilarious journey through the dark struggles of a misshapen diamond in the rough. It left this movie-goer breathless, deep in thought and comforted by the true fact that sometimes we all need a little help and the best person for the job is ultimately yourself.
There is something so uniquely true to life about this film. It explored the murky themes of family bonds and the all-too-often lacks thereof, the lonely defeat of indecision and that maddening dance of knowing exactly who you want to be, but finding yourself completely eluded by how to be that person. Of course, just like life, even in the darkest of mind states there is laughter and those who stand by your side. Those who perhaps see that you are farther along than you'd have yourself believe.
What inspired me most was the theme of perseverance in the face of echoing fiascoes. And the beautiful depiction of the gritty truth that sometimes you must strip yourself down and let go of the familiar in order to clear the debris from your path. I've seen no better representation of this reality facet than that which takes place when Art finally decides to seize control of his personal veracity and his place here on Earth.
I've often described this movie as "perfect", an audacious description that I do not bestow lightly. The soulful direction of Oliver Irving serves as a magnifying glass over the raw and genuine performances of the superbly selected cast. Each actor brings his/her best to the table and seem to share with each other the exact notion of what the story is all about; breathing irrefutable life into this polished gem of an indie film.
The dynamic between Art, Ronny and Nikki was so natural and well-executed that I quite honestly forgot they were merely fictional friends in a film. Their ad-libbed endeavors were so flawless that a missed beat did not exist and undoubtedly added to the authenticity of their quirky, endearing friendships.
Johnny White had me rolling in the aisles as the quick-witted, flat-dwelling, nitrous-huffing Ronny. The best thing about his portrayal was the fact that he brought the funny in a big way without his character realizing just how amusing he was. Not to take away from his dramatic ability, however; for one of the most surprisingly downhearted elements of the film was his to bear.
Mike Pearce, who described himself as the epitome of the non-actor, shined as Nikki, the flamboyant go-getter who loved the ladies and brought some much needed lightheartedness to the trio of lovable misfits. I'm very much inclined to respectfully disagree with his humble self-assessment and look forward to seeing him on the big screen in the future.
Robert Pattinson's performance was above and beyond anything I could have imagined, and I went into this movie with high expectations for this role. Through him, Art came to life in a way that I've never experienced in a film and for 85 glorious minutes I shared his dolor, his elation, his anxiety and his laughter as though I was watching the story of someone I'd known my whole life. His approach to Art's graceless good intentions was one of exceptional skill that you seldom find in a relatively inexperienced actor.
Simply put, he is brilliant; a knowledge that doesn't really hit you until the credits start rolling when you remember that it was in fact Pattinson and not solely Art that you'd been watching and fervently routing for during the last hour and a half.
To bottom line it; this movie is a down-right hilarious journey through the dark struggles of a misshapen diamond in the rough. It left this movie-goer breathless, deep in thought and comforted by the true fact that sometimes we all need a little help and the best person for the job is ultimately yourself.