Directed by Richard Kelly
Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko left us questioning our own meager existences. Despite our weaknesses, setbacks and flaws, can we all be destined for true enlightenment and help others? The same questions coincide with his latest film, Southland Tales.
Texas has been nuked in a strike against America; the second terrorist attack inside of ten years. It is a time for further change in the country? Are the people ready to hand over more of their civil rights for the "safety" of the country? All while in our desperate search for an alternative fuel, one magical "right-under-our-noses" cure has finally been discovered by the latest mega-conglomerate of scientists.
Political Satire.
Psychological Thriller.
Contemporary Musical.
Pre-Apocalyptic Fore-Telling.
And Even a Time-Travel Movie?
As most cinema-goers know, Kelly's films are of the "love it" or "hate it" genre. He pushes the really big questions about life and existence, and if most of us are even worthy of living a full one. He further drives the "what-if" situations in our heads, and does not hold back. For every liberty we hand over, the more we offer ourselves up as controlled slaves and statistics of those higher-ups who are feeding off our non-escapable drowning lives.
Dwayne Johnson (losing "The Rock" title for the first time in his cinematic appearances) carries the film and shows his range even further. His muscles aren't so important this time around. He plays an actor, recently stricken with a bout of amnesia, struggling to piece the last few days together while he seeks solace in the arms of a porn star (Sarah Michelle Gellar), believing the two of them have had a steady relationship for quite some time. Coupled with a side story featuring Sean William Scott, whose dramatic acting matches his comedic style, it shows the silent sacrifice a world would make to not be dependent on fossil fuels.
This film is littered with cameos from all walks of celluloid life, even featuring some returning actors from Darko. Tales, like Kelly's previous film, is not meant to have the story and ideas spoon-fed to you. This film requires a small bit of brain power to understand its message and follow the story. If you are expecting a War of the Worlds film with a smaller budget, you are missing it entirely.
To lay it all out a little better for you, Kelly has released three graphic novels (Chapters 1, 2 and 3), which better illustrate the events leading up to the film, which starts at Chapter 4. Love It or Hate It. But as long as you've received the loud and clear message of Richard Kelly, his job is done. Nothing comes easy, and sometimes the truth hurts.
Have A Nice Apocalypse.
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3 comments:
What is Johnson affinity with Scott? Perhaps I'm missing somethings but it seems as if Johnson lost a bet or something because, maybe it's just my perception, but you can't get one without the other. Your right, Kelly is def. in the habit of making films that force you to think. Donnie Darko is a love hate film. Personally I enjoy it but you almost have to take that movie at face value and watch from a purely surface point of view. The concept of worm holes and time travel can go over many peoples heads. I have recently attempted to explain the plot of that story to some friends of mind. I gave myself a headache trying to explain why Donnie must Sacrifice himself to save humanity by closing the wormhole. It is just as easy to view the film as a commentary of alienated youth. the timeline can be rather confusing but overall its good. This someone became a Donnie Darko view. Is Tales a straight to DVD film?
No, it was released in theaters in limited markets. I do remember seeing ads for it in NYC a few months ago. It would seem that a cast with so many popular names would be marketed to a larger audience, but maybe the producers felt that since not enough people "got" Donnie Darko, they may not like this one. It's kind of a shame, but it's a bit of a recurring theme lately.
**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**
We'd be running a fine line if we considered this film a political satire or a social satire. In fact, it could be considered the first "national satire," where the film identifies all the problems with this country, and offers a view of where it might be heading.
Johnson and Scott together aren't too bad of a pair. Kelly dives into the role of a Messiah and the Messiah's protector. Its a stab at radical religion overwhelming our nation where people listen to their pastors when voting compared to listening to themselves. The thought of a new alternative fuel being readily available and right under our noses is an absurd gesture, as is our current fight for oil and fossil fuels. It won't just be an overnight transition like in the film, there are so many factors in place, so take that subplot with a grain of salt.
This film is an exaggeration of today's events - projected months into the future and what the possible outcome can be. Kelly is speaking to us now, telling us we have the strength to make a choice now, instead of waiting for it to get worse so when we finally take a stand, we won't be heard.
Watching a film is about discovery. Most narratives these days are easily discoverable, and others cringe when they have to sit through a film like Southland Tales. If you are interested in watching a film where YOU discover the story by yourself, give it a watch. If you want everything laid out for you, watch The Day After Tomorrow.
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