06/24/10

Some movies never quite find their audience. Maybe it’s the marketing or actors or even simply the poster that does it, but, quite often, a great film just won’t get seen. So, with this in mind, we’ve decided to take a week to ramble about some of our favorite movies from the last 10 years that most folks seem to have either, A) never seen, or B) already forgotten. Some of the below selections came and went before they had a chance while others, we feel, have aged well - and thus deserve a second look. 

Finding Forrester - Yeah, I know, Sean Connery’s famous “you’re the man now dog!” line still looms, weighing heavy on the opinion of any serious cinephile. But mute this single annoyance in what is our pick for director Gus Van Sant’s best commercial film and you have a nearly flawless downtown coming-of-age drama. All of the production choices are so spot on and beautiful, as is Mike Rich’s screenplay and the jazz-heavy score. Harris Savides’ cinematography work alone makes the film a must-see for any serious film fan. Without giving away too much, we’ll just say that, when the third act rolls in, you feel the mastery of both Van Sant’s direction and Rob Brown’s performance. It’s a tough few scenes, but Brown, here in his debut, makes the film feel as real as any dramatic Hollywood moment you’ll find. Why didn’t Forrester - a buddy movie at heart - get Oscar attention? Well, my guess is that the “young genius” storyline was a little too similar to Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting, which came out three years earlier. Forrester is the better film.

Human Nature - Almost everyone I know loves 2004 drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. Most of those same people, I’ve found, are unaware of 2001’s Human Nature, also written by Kaufman and directed by Gondry. Described as a “philosophical burlesque,” Nature, a more absurdist-style work than Sunshine, tells the story of  Dr. Nathan Bronfman (Tim Robbins), a scientist who does highly publicized social research on Puff (Rhys Ifans), a man who was raised in the woods, far away from modern civilization. While the filmmaking and acting doesn’t match Sunsine, the storytelling is very strong - and certainly worth your time if you’re a fan of Sunshine and haven’t yet seen it.

Winter Passing - Starring Ed Harris, Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell (at the height of his fame, no less), Winter Passing played in less than 20 theaters when released, grossing only $113 thousand worldwide. Bummer. Written and directed by a fantastic playwright named Adam Rapp, Winter tells the story of a young down-and-out actor, Reese (Deschanel), who was raised by two famous, highly eccentric writers. The story begins with a publisher offering Reese a handsome reward if she can deliver the love letters her parents wrote each other decades earlier. I’ll say no more, other than that I think most people who make a point to read this column with any regularity will find much to love about the surprisingly authentic humor and pain of Winter Passing.

Hero - Despite the fact that Zhang Yimou’s 2002 classic opened at No. 1 in the US and grossed over $177 million worldwide, very few people I know have seen Hero. This, I gather, because the film’s marketing campaign made it seem like it was a film for the Rush Hour and Kiss of the Dragon crowd. A damn shame (and hardly the case). The story is somehow simple and epic and the acting is both understated and grand. But neither the acting nor the story is the real draw here; when it comes to Hero, it’s all about Christopher Doyle. If I were to pick my Top 10 favorite photographed films ever, I’m fairly certain Hero would make the list. Doyle’s work here is breathtaking, making Hero essential viewing for all the cinephile types out there who skipped it.

I’m Not There - I know that Todd Haynes’ film, featuring characters depicting Bob Dylan at different stages of his life, did see some acclaim upon it’s release. Cool. But, to me, I’m Not There is a major artistic triumph. It’s one of those films that, on paper, seems almost impossible to pull off. So stuffed with ideas and concepts and details that it couldn’t possibly be anything but a hot mess. But damn, Haynes made an uncompromising art film that at once tickles the hearts of film and Dylan fanatics alike.

Roger Michell and Michael Winterbottom films - Both directors have films coming out this year that could possibly earn their maker’s the attention they’ve long deserved. Most know Michell’s 1999 film Notting Hill, but it’s what came after that movie - Changing Lanes, Enduring Love and Venus - that have made him one of the lesser known directors in Hollywood who can nab almost any actor or screenplay he wants. Look for his Morning Glory, set for a November release, to be a surprise hit. Winterbottom, known for his experimental spirit and diversity, followed up a couple of decent art house hits in the 90s with a 10-film decade in the naughts. Standouts from said decade include (in order of greatness), 24-Hour Party People, Code 46, Genova, A Mighty Heart and 9 Songs. His brand new film, The Killer Inside Me, starring Casey Affleck as a long-dormant serial killer who rediscovers his love of blood, is easily one of ScreenTime’s most anticipated flicks of 2010.

Written by G. William Locke