Monday, March 17, 2008

bubble

aside from this being one of my favorite words ever, it is also now one of my favorite movies. it was shot essentially without a script so most, if not all of the dialogue is improvised. the "actors" were given a basic outline for a given scene and it was shot, usually with only one take. this is not a hollywood film. it is a Belpre, OH film. it is cast entirely with nonprofessional actors from the area. there is something about these people that is infinitely interesting. they are all people we know. especially if you come from a small town.
there is nothing revolutionary about the story. in fact, it is secondary to what is going on in the faces of these people. it is quiet and simple and about as claustrophobic as a coffin.
i think i watched it 3 times in a row, including the director and actor commentaries.
let me make it clear, this is not for everybody. not alot happens. nothing gets blown up and there are no money shots. i'm not sure why i had such a visceral reaction. as i watched it the first time, i couldn't decide whether i hated it or loved it. as i said to my friend e, "it hurts my chest a little bit." but i was glad for the discomfort.

3 comments:

ope said...

really? dag. hated it. dinnt buy anything about it. watched when it debuted on hd back when, will rewatch on the netflix.

andtheend. said...

like i said, not for everybody. i wasn't interested in the dramatic content at all. what i was interested in was the way in which people talk, respond, or not respond. a "fly on the wall" type of thing. i also dug the WV accents cause they sound so much like where i'm from.

ope said...

i think i cldnt git past soderbergh, felt contrived (in my head). and wasnt there a silly ending?

have you seen george washington (nc accents)? or tokyo story (japanese accents)? cld watch the interaction for weeks at a time.