Eric Binford is a charming movie nerd who just can't manage to catch a break.
Life always seems to reem him over.
His dreams almost come true when he meets an Australian girl named Marilyn- who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe (who he is obsessed with).
Not only does she indulge in his roleplay fantasy...but even agrees to go and see a movie with him.
Though, when she forgets, and ends up running late...everything starts fall apart.
Because he ends up going home to watch the film Kiss Of Death by himself- after being rejected by a prostitute- only to have his incestual Aunt barge in and break his projector...which triggers a fit of rage, during which he emulates James Cagney's character in the film...and pushes his wheelchair bound Aunt down the stairs to her death.
Now that he's chosen to walk this path to hell...everyone who ever messed with him is going to pay...
Beginning with Marilyn...who he almost kills while dressed up as Bela Lugosi's Dracula...only the scenario isn't right (it's too Psycho)...plus, he realizes he still loves her...so he backs out at the last second.
Though, he does kill her roomate for having previously insulted him.
He then goes on to scare his boss to death while dressed up as Boris Karloff from The Mummy.
Before killing his bully as Hopalong Cassidy.
Eventually, he ends up hitchhiking through LA...where he is picked up by a shady film producer- who he runs a film idea by.
Unfortunately, the producer rips the idea off...which ultimately leads to his untimely death at the hands of Cody Jarrett from White Heat.
Now our man's on the lam, becoming Laurence Olivier as the Regent of Hungary from The Prince and The Showgirl; while fashioning Marilyn into Marilyn Monroe (in true Vertigo fashion), so that he can live out his fantasy (before his inevitable fall).
Because there is a detective- who is an expert on madness- that is hot on his trail...hunting him down with his beat cop girlfriend.
The detective truly believes he can help him...thinking that Eric has gone mad from watching so many movies.
The violence having desensitized him...and driven him to madness.
As one might expect...the whole thing ends up like Vertigo...only atop the TCL Theatre on Hollywood Blvd in LA instead of the belltower in San Francisco.
And...with a more complete conclusion.
If ever there has ever been a film made for cinephiles by cinephiles- this is it.
It's laden with references to other films, in relation to themes, re-enactments, flashbacks and even mise-en-scene.
The kind of film that will have you noticing something new the seventh time around.
It even seems to have gone on to influence the HBO series Dream On- particularly in regards to the way "media flashbacks" are used.
A highly underrated gem...and a must see for cinephiles everywhere.
Definitely hunt it down and give it a watch.
8.5 out of 10.
Life always seems to reem him over.
His dreams almost come true when he meets an Australian girl named Marilyn- who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe (who he is obsessed with).
Not only does she indulge in his roleplay fantasy...but even agrees to go and see a movie with him.
Though, when she forgets, and ends up running late...everything starts fall apart.
Because he ends up going home to watch the film Kiss Of Death by himself- after being rejected by a prostitute- only to have his incestual Aunt barge in and break his projector...which triggers a fit of rage, during which he emulates James Cagney's character in the film...and pushes his wheelchair bound Aunt down the stairs to her death.
Now that he's chosen to walk this path to hell...everyone who ever messed with him is going to pay...
Beginning with Marilyn...who he almost kills while dressed up as Bela Lugosi's Dracula...only the scenario isn't right (it's too Psycho)...plus, he realizes he still loves her...so he backs out at the last second.
Though, he does kill her roomate for having previously insulted him.
He then goes on to scare his boss to death while dressed up as Boris Karloff from The Mummy.
Before killing his bully as Hopalong Cassidy.
Eventually, he ends up hitchhiking through LA...where he is picked up by a shady film producer- who he runs a film idea by.
Unfortunately, the producer rips the idea off...which ultimately leads to his untimely death at the hands of Cody Jarrett from White Heat.
Now our man's on the lam, becoming Laurence Olivier as the Regent of Hungary from The Prince and The Showgirl; while fashioning Marilyn into Marilyn Monroe (in true Vertigo fashion), so that he can live out his fantasy (before his inevitable fall).
Because there is a detective- who is an expert on madness- that is hot on his trail...hunting him down with his beat cop girlfriend.
The detective truly believes he can help him...thinking that Eric has gone mad from watching so many movies.
The violence having desensitized him...and driven him to madness.
As one might expect...the whole thing ends up like Vertigo...only atop the TCL Theatre on Hollywood Blvd in LA instead of the belltower in San Francisco.
And...with a more complete conclusion.
If ever there has ever been a film made for cinephiles by cinephiles- this is it.
It's laden with references to other films, in relation to themes, re-enactments, flashbacks and even mise-en-scene.
The kind of film that will have you noticing something new the seventh time around.
It even seems to have gone on to influence the HBO series Dream On- particularly in regards to the way "media flashbacks" are used.
A highly underrated gem...and a must see for cinephiles everywhere.
Definitely hunt it down and give it a watch.
8.5 out of 10.