If you’ve never seen the film THE BIG LEBOWSKI then odds are
you will have no idea who the title character of this film is. John Turturro
played the character in that film, a bowler known to lick his bowling ball and
shine it with a passion. That being said it wouldn’t make a difference if you
knew him from that film or not watching this one. Other than the name and look
of the character it has little if nothing to connect it to that film.
Jesus Quintana is released from prison and on probation.
He’s met outside by his friend Petey (Bobby Cannavale) and they set out on an
adventure. They steal a car from a hair dresser (Jon Hamm) and go to visit
Jesus mother (Sonia Bragga) who is a prostitute. He kicks out her john and
treats her like a jerk before leaving.
The rest of the film is not one with a straight narrative
but a series of vignettes strung together. Jesus and Petey hook up with Marie
(Audrey Tautou) who worked for the hairdresser they stole the car from and new
from the past. Marie is a woman who has slept with numerous men but never had
an orgasm. This proves true as she sleeps with the pair together.
The trio goes on a minor crime spree with little to show for
it but travels down the road. The duo seduce a woman named Jean (Susan
Sarandon) they meet as she is released from prison. After sleeping with the
pair she ends up committing suicide. They meet her grown son Jack (Pete
Davison) who ends up sleeping with Marie and gives her her first orgasm.
What a thrilling story, right?
Based less on LEBOWSKI and more on the 1974 French film
GOING PLACES the film commits one of the cardinal sins of movies: it’s boring.
I have no doubt that Turturro, who directed the film, was trying to bring to it
a European vibe. If so he picked up the worst of what that has to offer, tossed
it into a blender and spat it out on celluloid.
I kept watching, hoping something would happen, hoping that
there would be characters I could sympathize with and like. The closest I got
was Jean and I think her character committed suicide to get out of this
picture. Of everything in the film I found one single moment I enjoyed. During
the theft of the first car Petey is shot in the testicles. Later they pair
steal bicycles and he’s in quite a bit of discomfort riding on his. That was
it, the only thing that made me laugh and feel anything in this film.
For me Turturro is hit and miss. He’s turned in good
performances in both good and bad movies. But looking back I realize that while
there I couldn’t think of one that I felt was outstanding. That he took a
character that many loved and tossed it aside with the exception of the name
seems like a slap in the face of those fans of LEBOWSKI. Odds are that if they
buy this movie they will return it or sell it cheap at a used disc outlet.
I can’t think of a reason to suggest watching this movie. I
hated the plot, I found the acting just bearable and in the end I felt
pointless. Speaking of which it’s one of those movies that actually has no
ending. It just feels like it stops and things will continue happening after
the credits roll. Bypass this one at all costs.
No comments:
Post a Comment