gtown

If this were a student film, I would understand, but it's not. The director takes a pseudonym because, well at least I believe, because it's an experiment gone very wrong. I'll make a list

1. The lighting, blunt, bullying, washout. It's almost unnerving to watch as if a science fiction.

2. No story served with a never ending plate of hit or miss bon mots. I call it self-indulgent. I won't lie to you and say there aren't flashes of wit and charm... there are, but I find that this film is very much like what it shows: a person who tries too hard and has you cornered at a party.

3. The set... it's soooo dark. Why? Do you want me to have a nervous breakdown instead of laughing which is the intent I assume.

4. Noah Bambaugh has made me laugh a lot in his other films. All the while, I felt that he had the potential to go off the rails into the realm of pretentiousness, banal, insufferable New York upper east/west side intellectual hipster dreck. In the previous films he created memorable, earnest characters and a plot. Not this time... without story you are left with nothing.

This movie was so endearingly offbeat and dry that I had to love it. From the team that created Bottle Rocket comes another highly original story. There is no high principle or morals to discuss over coffee here, but rather the ingenuity of putting together eccentric characters. I'm going to call this a feel good movie because the filmakers obviously have an optimism about being a dreamer and following the path that you make for yourself. I laughed OK.

Having very little information Writer/director Lica Cholodenko' previous work, I must give high praise to this work which I assume is from of a strong, new immergent film maker. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of High Art.

The subject matter of the film seems to have become mainstream fodder now a days, gay relationships and drugs (which I will not divulge in any significant detail for the consideration of anyone who may read this). Sitcom TV has seemingly embraced the concept of gay themes into a trite token ratings necessity whereas the "heroin chic" advertising controversy in fashion magazines that has also become a tiresome media issue. The credit in this film goes to Cholodenko's ability to create and weave poignant and authentic characters rather than portraying mere hollow caricatures of stereotypical social figures. In short, I cared about the characters and believed the world in which they lived.

I was refreshed to believe in a drama where the relationships seemd real because of its characters rather than contrived conventions. Rent this movie for the direction, story and performances.