Paul_D

Re: SPHE Press Release: Southland Tales

This got a wide release here in the UK.

Having followed it from original development through the Cannes controversy and given that a few UK reviews said the new cut was a vast improvement over the Cannes cut, I couldn't resist.

Unfortunately, it really was painful. Fair enough Kelly was trying to do something different (albeit similar to some of Darko's themes), but it just doesn't work - I can see why the panning was so extreme. The commentary about the direction the developed world is heading in resonates, but the delivery is just so poor. Like a really bad version of Mulholland Drive. I hate talking down a piece of work thats so obviously tried to be bold and say something, but I just can't recommend it on any level. Being such a big Darko fan only compounded my disappointment.

Summary:
Poor acting from a cast who don't look like they have any clue what they're acting in.
An interesting premise marred by some silly characters and incoherant plotting.
Some jarringly pretentious dialogue.
A few distractingly bad FX shots.

Obviously for Darko fans out there it might be too hard to resist at least renting, but definitely approach with caution, and keep those expectations low.

Edit: there's quite a neat quote from a reviewer over at rotten tomaotoes forums that sums up the randomness of some the plotting and ideas quite nicely:
"Throughout the movie someone is saying random bible passages and The Rock's character apparently can hear god towards the end as can some other characters, although the audience cannot hear what they are hearing, and there is a floating ice cream truck."