the inarticulateness of real people is so plain in this pic. The director either has a wonderful ear for the stutters and evasions of everyday conversation, or the dialog was totally improvised, or he just kept a tape recorder rolling as real people said real things and, uh, you know, sorta, you know, transcribed the tape. Within the context of inarticulateness, two lead characters, Marnie and Alex, come off as incredibly funny, but absolutely cannot say how much they adore each other, even when Alex does the inexplicable.
The TiVo summary says that the movie is about a girl who dates a nerd, but that is a bit of a subplot. If I read my credits correctly, the nerd is played by the director, which then turns this film into an obviously autobiographical work on the director's frustrations, his inability to not be able to articulate. But the movie is extremely articulate, funny, engaging. I tend (as a committed homo) to get most attached to lead men in movies about teens (well, 20s in this case), and Alex is a charmer. But Marnie is absolutely lovable, and perfectly cast. The director, playing Mitchell (I think), is great at portraying the amazement of a not-so-attractive guy who meets a girl who does not have a boyfriend, and seems maybe sorta kinda to like him.
All through, I thought this was from the slacker/Austin school of film, but it was a surprise to find that it was set in Allston, MA. It has a good look and feel for any-college-town, USA.
Definitely worth one's time, and I love the total indecisiveness of the plot--it's a confusing time.
The TiVo summary says that the movie is about a girl who dates a nerd, but that is a bit of a subplot. If I read my credits correctly, the nerd is played by the director, which then turns this film into an obviously autobiographical work on the director's frustrations, his inability to not be able to articulate. But the movie is extremely articulate, funny, engaging. I tend (as a committed homo) to get most attached to lead men in movies about teens (well, 20s in this case), and Alex is a charmer. But Marnie is absolutely lovable, and perfectly cast. The director, playing Mitchell (I think), is great at portraying the amazement of a not-so-attractive guy who meets a girl who does not have a boyfriend, and seems maybe sorta kinda to like him.
All through, I thought this was from the slacker/Austin school of film, but it was a surprise to find that it was set in Allston, MA. It has a good look and feel for any-college-town, USA.
Definitely worth one's time, and I love the total indecisiveness of the plot--it's a confusing time.