Asylum Seekers (2009) User Reviews

Absurdist spoof

[p-stepien · 4/10 · 16 September 2013]

One flew over the cuckoo's nest a bit too many in this wacko comedy with some absurdist driven plot evolving around five mentally unstable people attempting to compete for spot at a mental asylum. Within its confines the mysterious Dr Beard (visualised for the most part as a beard stuck onto a speaker-phone) attempts to grade the applicants and choose amongst them the most worthy candidate. Amongst them (as per the movie introduction to characters): Dr Raby (Daniel Izirarry) the virgin nymphomaniac, Maud (Pepper Binkley) the trophy mouse-wife, Paul (Lee Wilkof) the evangelical nihilist, Miranda (Camille O'Sullivan) the introverted exhibitionist, Alan (Bill Dawes) the gender bender refugee and Alice (Stella Maeve) the cybernetic lolita. With all out contenders ready for action, nurse Milly (Judith Hawking) initiates the game.

"Asylum Seekers" treads a very thin line with its over-exuberant surrealist absurdity, which often seems to have less to do with Luis Bunuel and more with "Airplane" and similar spoof comedies. Despite obvious intellectual inclinations and though-out dialogue the end result proves that this line has been largely obliterated by a mix of bad acting and ineffectual idiocy. Never truly funny it therefore fails as an overall concept, even if some glee can be taken from the dreamlike qualities, which transgress us into one of the wackiest on-screen adventures ever. Some viewers will be profoundly head-scratching way before the end credits, others may find it as exhilarating as an LSD trip, all in all it doesn't function well as a movie per se, instead more as a side event of edgy tidbits of craziness and surrealism.

So Much Potential, But Not Completed

[gavin6942 · 15 August 2011]

Six people on the verge of a breakdown decide to check themselves into an insane asylum, only to discover there is just room for one.

I have to wonder, what sort of thing inspires this film? Luis Bunuel? David Lynch? Clearly Alice in Wonderland to some degree... but this film has a surreal vibe -- no, not a vibe. It is surreal through and through. Which, if you like that, will tickle your fancy.

The idea behind this film was awesome, the imagery was awesome, the twists were awesome... so why did I give it a mediocre rating? Simply because this film, if redone by someone with a bigger budget and with access to more star power, could make it a much better film. The only really good actor was the man playing the bald guy in a suit. (The cyber girl was okay, too... the gender bender rapper was by far the worst.

Crazy from The Beard

[NoDakTatum · 6/10 · 16 November 2023]

The initial set-up to "Asylum Seekers" is promising: half a dozen people with mental problems try to get into an insane asylum where only one spot is available. Only the craziest will make it in. The possibilities are endless: manic dark comedy, bloody horror film, social satire, etc. What I did not see coming is a film even more insane than its characters. Six people enter the asylum, and are provided with onscreen introductions. Antoine (Daniel Irizarry) is a virgin nymphomaniac, Maud (Pepper Binkley) is a trophy mouse-wife, Paul (Lee Wilkof) is an evangelical nihilist, Miranda (Camille O'Sullivan) is an introverted exhibitionist, Alan (Bill Dawes) is a gender bender refugee, and Alice (Stella Maeve) is a cybernetic Lolita. All possible patients are put through various "contests" by the mean Nurse Milly (Judith Hawking) and her evil henchmen, under the watchful eye of the unseen The Beard. The asylum itself is full of fringe characters even more bizarre than our prospects. Maud and Antoine begin to grow closer (as close as a nymphomaniac and a mousy wife can), until The Beard makes up their mind.

"Asylum Seekers" is exhausting. Co-writer/director Rania Ajami ups the bizarre quotient right away, never giving the viewer a break. Each successive scene is a little more insane than the one before, and even quiet scenes turn into bizarre set-pieces that are not soon forgotten. I would compare her direction favorably to Terry Gilliam or Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Her use of widescreen is excellent, and she gives us some creepy imagery that plays with the viewer's head as much as the characters'. I could tell too easily, however, which characters were going to be the focus of our attention. Some are given small back stories- little scenes that show us why they are where they are, but some are not. Some characters don't live up to their own opening onscreen intros- Alan seems more torn about his race, not his sexuality. Same with Miranda, the most inhibited exhibitionist I have seen. Even Paul, who should have been a right-wing fanatic nutjob, seems toned down, becoming a mild paranoid instead. The cast does a great job playing characters that are way way out there. I would love to see their reactions reading the screenplay, seeing what they must endure on film. There is nothing "Salo"-esque here, no exploitative feces eating or anything lowbrow like that. Instead, Ajami puts her cast through the paces of "American Idol"-like competitions and wearing giant animal heads. The problem is all the surrealism should have been toned down as much as some of the characters. A more mainstream approach to the material might have warmed me up to the film, where following through on some of the initial scenes are a problem. The lack of strong characterization also means not being able to sympathize much with any of these people, much less the equally disturbed asylum staff. Technically, "Asylum Seekers" is a visual marvel and very well made. I would slightly recommend it, I guarantee you will be talking about it for days, love it or hate it.

Dare to be surreal!!

[baxstrom · 8/10 · 21 March 2010]

In reference to some of the previous reviews, yes "Asylum Seekers" dares to be surreal. Whether this is a compliment or an epithet is entirely according to individual taste, I suppose. I think that the film is quite smart and very humorous, although at times the joke takes a while to sink in. This, to my mind, is a good thing. Themes of acting, self-presentation, fragmentation, and "mental health" in modern life are presented quite well in this film. True, quite often "Asylum Seekers" dispenses with easy plot devices, but this seems to be rooted in an expectation that the audience will actually engage a bit with the underlying themes rather than passively wait to be jolted into cheap laughter or "understanding".

Interestingly, the film reminds me a lot of Raymond Roussel's novels; Roussel was funny too, but only if you were open to his strange sense of the world.

For those interested in the formal qualities of a film, I can say that "Asylum Seekers" looks great. True, it is not "realistic", but it is clear that the director and crew got the most out of what was probably a fairly low budget.

So, for lazy viewers, this is not a good film at all. If you actually take X-Factor or "the media" (any media...Fox, MSNBC, BBC...does not matter, really) or your therapist seriously, by all means stay away! If this is the level of your engagement, this film is not only not for you...you are actually the film's target. For those who can appreciate a more complex world than this, however, I can highly recommend "Asylum Seekers".

Refreshingly different, thought provoking, a must watch movie.

[art-351 · 9/10 · 16 December 2008]

The plot concept of this film might be best described as a tale of morals but is one that uses the interaction between startlingly bizarre and troubled characters, personalities who describe extreme ends of society. This surprisingly surreal mix in turn questions the viewer's own thoughts on their behaviour as the story continues to develop. The viewer is forced into trying to empathise with each character in order to better understand their individual mannerisms and their interaction with the others. The result is that the troubled nature of each character presents a vignette of differing social mores, whilst all the while the viewer is attempting to determine which one will ultimately prevail in their mutual quest. Cleverly conceived and excellently cast. A fine production.

R.

Startling, sick & lovely

[paula-900-150448 · 10/10 · 17 November 2010]

So many movies are the same and this one isn't, mixing wry humor, visual painting that combines an unpredictable story (refreshing, that) with some bizarre circumstances. See it, experience it, this is the stuff that scifi fantasy fans just wait and wait for, something new and unusual.

Adults need fantasy with wit and the bigger than life characters in the film are fraught with humor and totally twisted! Notable performances form the principles, hilarious and just so wrong, I bet Carlos Castaneda & Lewis Carroll would love this film.

I look forward to more of Ajami's directing!

Creative, funny, a wild ride!

[ifyoupleasedrawmeasheep · 10/10 · 11 December 2008]

This is the kind of indie film we don't see much of anymore. Great story, stunning visuals, and completely out there (it's right up there with the classics, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Velvet Goldmine). The acting is great, the characters are alive on screen, all of them funny, anguished, paranoid, and lovable. The costumes, the locations, all of the visuals are eye popping and bizarre as we are taken through the worlds and minds of these unique characters. The story alone sets the tone for this creative and wacky comedy, 6 self proclaimed crazies all fighting for the last spot in an elite insane asylum, you can be sure you're in for a wild ride!

Can't wait for Rania Ajami's next movie

[saranash · 9/10 · 12 December 2008]

AMAZING ESCAPISM!!! Wish I could escape our "mad" contemporary world through "ASSYLUM SEEKERS" EXIT door!!! Loved the revolutionary Red Digit Cinema Camera! Incredible Inventive Cinematography!!!! Saw the preview in London and I can't wait for the general release in the U.K. Perceived insanity is like beauty in the eye of the beholder! Not all of us would reach a consensus what beauty is & certainly will agree who is sane or insane! Rania Ajami in my view reached the same conclusion! Her inmates evoke certain universal truths! A job well done!! The choice of actors was superb which proved the greatness of the director1 It was a remarkable black comedy!

Hysterically truthful

[laurarbutler · 10/10 · 20 January 2009]

This movie is great! Fantastic cinematic shots, colors, sets and great actors.Its subject is genius. Characters seeking an asylum? The way I feel sometimes in this society made me question: why not seek an asylum? It takes you on a bizarre journey that feels like your trapped in a brain of another sort of character. The Music adds to the story of each character wonderfully as well. I could identify with so many moments. Especially Dr. Raby's. I don't want to spoil anything by saying too much but Daniel Irizarry's work in this film just carries you with him in the sentiments. I look forward to seeing more from the Director, Rania Ajami.