How much can you expect from a man who did a movie called Rice and Boobs ? Well, I haven't seen it so that's a bit disingenuous. But, at least in the elevator pitch this seemed right down my alley, right? The movie is about a schlock director who does a one-take zombie movie and then finds himself IN a real zombie apocalypse. Definitely down my alley.
But despite all the rave reviews and the love of the festival circuit, what we saw on the screen was ... well, entertaining but ... amateurish? Weird? Almost... avante garde? The camera work was cliche, the actors were ... well, let's say I was chalking it all up to an attempt to create a low-budget feel and for the director building a weird little passion piece. Sure, its a movie within a movie but it never really accomplishes much.
And then the movie ends.
*enter the spoiler zone*
From here on, you WILL hear what you shouldn't know if you want to see this movie.
After about an hour, the movie ends and credits roll. What? Really? That was what the crowds raved about? That was it? And then... then... oh, how clever! The real movie started, with us transported back in time to a moment in director Higurashi is being sold the idea of doing a one-cut TV movie for the zombie channel. He already has a reputation for doing just enough with just enough, so the producers feel he is a perfect, no nonsense director which can give them what they want, without too much money sunk into it.
And he does, oh does he ever!
This is one of those movies that shines in the third act. We meet the real actors, the real story and its like you have just wiped your glasses of smudge and grime, and everything just comes into focus. And then it just gets even better.
If you have ever wanted to see what its like to make a low budget movie, or you might be (*hint hint*) someone who does make movies, you will get quite a kick out of this act. We see the casting, the characters, the crew and that really creepy producer lady with the tiny body and big head. Things don't go as well planned as they hope, first losing a few actors and subbing in Higurashi's over-zealous wife, and then some hijinx with a complimentary bottle of sake. And some unfortunate elements of an actor's rider being ignored. And a testy pop star & cranky popular star.
Once the camera begins to roll for the ... second (third?) time so much more comes into focus. Oh, that was why that scene went on so long, and took a sudden odd turn. Oh, THAT is why that zombie was just bizarre & out of character. OH !! That is why the director seems to be losing it ! Things just continue to get sharper and zanier and hilarious. The latter bit of the movie is so meta, so well played out, so full of continuity and nuance, it might just be the best "zombie movie" I have seen in ages, but really its a movie about making movies and about loving movie making.
And of course, closing credits have yet ANOTHER view from ANOTHER camera.
Standing ovation.
No comments:
Post a Comment