Multi-Facial (1995) User Reviews

A great short film

[jake-179 · 8/10 · 18 March 2002]

This is what short, independent films should be like. This is the first movie for Vin Diesel, and it allows for tremendous insight in to the man himself. Vin, who's real name is Michael Vincent, wrote, produced, and directed this movie. It appears to be not only a slice of his life, but short biography. The title, "MULTI-FACIAL" is a play on the term "Multi-Racial." As, Vin Diesel explains in the movie, he is half white, and half black. And, despite his awesome acting talent and dedication to his craft, his racial mix stands in his way of getting work as an actor. The film follows Vin from one audition to another, where he nails each part, but is then turned down either because he is "too white" or ironically "too black." The message of the movie is summed up at the end in the movie's final line, as Vin sits in a cafe drinking coffee by himself, he listens in to the people sitting behind him. The girl orders coffee, but requests that it is served, "not too light, not too dark."

The movie is about 20 minutes long, the perfect length for an independent short. It is very well shot on 16mm film. The musical score for the film is music recorded and performed by Vin Diesel himself. Yet, further credit to this great talent. During one audition, Vin performs an original rap and it is really clever and well done. The film is simplistic, but extremely moving, and has a clear, concise story line and a powerful message. The strongest point of the movie is the brilliant, convincing acting job by all the people involved. Vin comes off as totally original and totally natural. Hollywood is lucky to have him and it is absolutely no wonder that Stephen Spielberg chose to contact him and offer him a part in Saving Private Ryan after he saw MULTI-FACIAL at the Caan's Film Festival. I wish I could make an independent movie this good myself!

I was already a Vin Diesel fan when I saw this movie. I own the DVD that this movie is on. Its a compilation DVD, with other short movies on it. BY FAR, MULTI-FACIAL is the best movie in the compilation. The other movies are almost totally unwatchable. And this serves as further credit to Vin's movie. The other movies are complete dribble, and those are the kinds of movies that RUIN film festivals. But MULTI-FACIAL is the kind of movie that saves film festivals. This is the movie that everyone is looking for when they pay those outrageous prices to attend various film festivals. They are all looking for that little gem of a movie, and MULTI-FACIAL is it.

This is definitely worth seeing, even if you have to buy the DVD with the rest of the crappy movies. Check it out, you will enjoy it.

Surprisingly good

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 11 September 2015]

I have to say I don't really care about Vin Diesel or what he does today because action is one of my least favorite genres. Still I was curious about this short film he wrote, directed and starred in 20 years ago. Diesel plays an actor and we get to watch him at several auditions. The problem is always the same. He is too mixed to be typecast and the casting directors are always looking for someone who is very Hispanic, Black etc. This film has depth, a couple funny scenes and actually nice depth, also in the final scene with the young woman, who not only tells us that women have similar problems like Diesel's character, but also describes him as a coffee somewhat. Good watch I must say and without having seen a lot of Diesel's films, I guess this one here he made when he wasn't even 30, but still as bald and muscular as he is today, may very well be my favorite work of his. Recommended.

Vin's best work!

[davegir-45616 · 8/10 · 22 August 2021]

Vin Diesel is probably mostly known for the fast and furious franchise which is great, but doesn't really show off his acting skills, Multi-Facial really did show off how good of an actor he really is. Great short film, I'd recommend.

The short that launched a brand.

[madeba · 28 April 2004]

It's always interesting to see glimpses of stars before they were household names. Playing the role of casting director, I try to spot something that might indicate their massive potential, or alternatively, that they've grown a lot in their ability since then. In the case of Multifacial, Vin Diesel's self-penned and semi-autobiographical short, it is clear that this actor is going places.

There is something undeniably compelling about him. I first noticed him in the supporting role in Boiler Room, primarily for his voice. There's that deep gravelly tone that demands your attention. Couple that with his powerful physicality and you can see that this guy just needs the right role to exploit his talents. And where the Lundgrens and Rocks of Hollywood offer similar packages, Diesel brings an unquestionable intellect and vulnerability to the screen to set himself apart. Multifacial teaches 3 things:

One - a simply shot film (ie: cheap) can still make an impact, providing the story is engaging. Two - if the storyline feels "doccie", economical and imperfect shots actually help give cred to the film. Three - If an unknown actor is talented, even a tiny low budget short can garner the attention of the biggest player in Hollywood.

Evidently that's what Spielberg thought, as he contacted Diesel on the strength of this - check it out for a good chuckle, a glimpse of Diesel's comedic ability, and the star's take on the experience, looking back on it now.

Promise of Better Things To Come

[Auntikrist · 10/10 · 18 May 2002]

I've watched Multifacial many times, and I am always pleased to still find acting moments that interest or amuse me in the film. Vin Diesel's physicality is arresting, pleasing and fluid. His voice is a marvelous instrument that covers a broad vocal range, while the deeper notes can hypnotize any unwary female.

I've seen him in other films and continue to look for those moments that capture my attention and rivet me to the screen whenever he appears.

Right now Mr. Diesel invests his energy in the world of Action Heros that he admired so much in his childhood. I am hoping he will soon outgrow the genre and return to more serious acting and to the portrayals of complicated characters like Mike in Multifacial, that I feel sure he can accomplish.

This Film is genius!

[g-man-7 · 10/10 · 21 February 2000]

I love this film. This guy Vin Diesel is gonna blow up! I cant believe he plays all these characters so well. No Wonder Spielberg wrote him in his film Saving Private Ryan. This is a must see film.

Before Vin Diesel was a Household Name

[elicopperman · 7/10 · 17 August 2022]

Although Vin Diesel is mostly known for being a type casted generic action star, his ability as an actor cannot be denied based on his experience as a racially ambiguous man. Prior to breaking out in Hollywood, he made his own semi autobiographical short film entitled Multi-Facial, inspired by his own frustrations trying to make it as an actor of mixed ethnicity. Made in New York on a budget of $3,000, the film went on to screen at the Cannes Film Festival and would eventually launch Diesel's acting career, along with another personal film project Strays. Rightfully so too as the film feels very personal.

The film follows a man named Mike (Diesel) who goes through one audition after another trying to find his big break in spite of the professional and emotional issues he faces. As the old saying goes, write what you know, which is exactly what Diesel did in putting the film together. Given how much Diesel was yearning to break into the industry back in the day, one can relate to the ins and outs of auditioning again and again with the same results. The plot itself is told through a series of acting auditions Mike goes through and failing to even be considered due to some typical type-casting criterion. Similar to how everyone is said to not be dark, light, skinny, fat or whatever enough for a specific role, Mike's Italian/Black ethnic background comes at a common disadvantage. Despite his impressive musculature, it's the acting range and commitment to his craft that Mike wants to showcase to producers, which most casting directors don't seem to rate very highly. It's almost shocking to see Diesel growing over the years based on how rough of an experience he had to capture in this film.

As far as neat filmmaking tricks, the film begins with a cold open monologue, almost like Vin is selling himself as an actor through his own material. When it turns out that the monologue is for an in progress audition for producers, the camera becomes a frame piece for communicating the set up and punchline. Much of the film's sense of humor is derived from the different types of set pieces. While Mike isn't dark enough for a black role, he is brown enough for a Hispanic role, despite not knowing any Spanish. We can sense one of Diesel's idols is Al Pacino when Mike rants that Scarface himself wouldn't do a commercial, something he clearly doesn't want as much of a bigger piece of the moviegoing pie. At the end, we have a closing audition that is as unexpectedly emotional as it is organic, almost feeling like a brief summary of Diesel's own life. Adding on to Diesel putting some of his own amateur rap music to the film's soundtrack, as well as some remarkable rapping of his own as Mike, and you've got a whole series of set pieces that anyone can relate to in Mike's own shoes.

Even for what could be passed off as a demo reel showcase for a then struggling actor, Multi Facial works pretty well as a short set piece of Diesel's talented range. Although nowhere near as well known as Fast & Furious, Xander Cage or Guardians of the Galaxy, it can be summarized as the seed that would eventually sprout an ambitious man's drive to become the best actor he could have ever thought possible. For all his muscle bound facade, underneath is a highly determined creative who found the right way to tell his story through the art of filmmaking, and that alone is worth the price of admission.

Eye-opening piece of work

[SickMonkey · 9/10 · 17 February 2000]

You know, before I got the chance to see "Multi-Facial," I knew of Vin Diesel only as the big Italian guy from "Saving Private Ryan" that got killed about 30 minutes into the movie--I was never too impressed. But after seeing this short, which Diesel wrote and directed, I was overcome with a new-found respect. This is simply one of the most touching, profound, and well-produced short films in the course of American film in the last 10 years or so. The acting is superb--Diesel goes above and WAY beyond the token ethnic he portrayed in the otherwise WASPish SPR. While watching this however, we get the feeling that this is more than just an entertaining story about a lost soul, searching for an identity (which others are more than willing to give), this is in fact a piece of Diesel himself, immortalized in film. I also watched some director's commentary afterwards and was amazed at the depth and intelligence possessed by this man. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from his shallower, mainstream work like SPR and the upcoming "Boiler Room," et al. If you watch this, you will be convinced of two things: 1) Vin Diesel will always have work in Hollywood, and 2) American short film is still alive.

Coming out with a bang!

[Jacks-12 · 10/10 · 24 April 2000]

I have been spouting facts about Vin Diesel for months now, telling all of my friends to see this and that movie with Vin Diesel in it. I am eagerly awaiting Knockaround Guys, and even more eagerly awaiting Doormen. Now that I have seen Multi-Facial, I have an incredible sense of respect for Diesel's creativity as well as his acting ability.

Multi-Facial's portrayal of grinding it out as an actor hits home to me, as it does for most people. The main character, Mike, refuses to give up his ideals and dreams of being big like DeNiro in order to "make a living." I love that. Anyone who can see a goal and shoot for it, even when they are set back day in and day out, is someone who has my full respect. Finding in the end, that rather than slipping into a mold, he will be better as a "not too light, not too dark" actor makes Mike's character even more believable. I admire characters that break out of restraints and make their own rules. By the way, Diesel's monologue about the fictional father was so incredible, I thought Diesel himself was talking to me. I could have been anywhere in the world listening to him in person. That monologue jumped off the screen and into real life. If this is what Diesel does for his first attempt at directing a film, I can not wait to see what comes next. Talk about coming out with a bang!

a must see for all

[personguyman · 10/10 · 14 August 2002]

This short was everything people told me it was going to be. I love Vin Diesel and anybody who loves him, and people who don't should see this. The people who love him should see the work that inspired speilberg (sp) to wrtite him into Saving Private Ryan and the people who think that he's a bad actor should see this just to eat there words. Oh, and just as an added little bonus, if you see this, you also get to see vin rap, :). All in all, a highly recomended movie. 10/10

no wonder spielberg was impressed

[billcue · 5 April 2001]

i first saw vin diesel in pitch black and fell in love with him instantaneously, then i saw multi-facial and this guy has some REAL talent. He is so much better than some of the big-time hollywood actors out there. He really blew me away because he portrayed different characters to the tee. he was awesome, the short film was awesome, the writing was awesome, and vin was awesome (still is).

I connected...

[anisemurphy · 10/10 · 22 February 2000]

I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to see this short and view the director's comments. I connected with the character and his search for his identity in so many ways. I am multi-cultural by birth; I understand getting lost in the wake of many different cultures and the behavior, expectations, and biases. His exploration of being multi-cultural strikes a chord in all people of multi-cultural lineage. It was a small, revealing, poignant view into Vin Diesel, the person, and he was brave to show it. Multi-Facial, multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, any way you put it, the inner turmoil of identity is hard to escape. I connected... and I am grateful that I am not alone.

Star making turn by Diesel

[reshad-142-867838 · 10/10 · 10 July 2020]

Strong short film with a star making turn by Vin Diesel. Spielberg saw the film at Cannes and decided to cast Diesel in A small role in Saving Private Ryan. Watch the film and you'll see why.

The opening scene is fantastic and sets the tone for the film. Worth finding.

Completely and utterly amazing.

[suenobonita1987 · 4 February 2001]

The blood running through my veins is that of thirteen seperate heritages from thirteen seperate countries, and you can imagine how happy I am that this movie was made. Vin Diesel enthralled me with his amazing acting skills, I am fascinated by this astounding piece of work. As a constant victim of racial prejudice, this hit home. Really hard. And THANK YOU VIN!!! for making it.

Calling Cards

[tieman64 · 23 November 2009]

Vin Diesel wrote and directed this short film, based on his experiences as a struggling actor. The film consists of Vin attending various auditions, changing his appearances, dialogue and line-delivery, constantly trying to "be somebody" in order to "impress" the casting directors. It's an interesting idea: "being somebody" in order to "impress somebody" so you can to "be somebody" and "impress somebodies".

The film highlights how exploitative the movie business can be, how seductive its icons are, how these icons lure impressionable youths to Hollywood, how desperate actors become and how fickle the business of acting is.

One wonders, however, if Vin simply made this film to showcase his range as an actor. The film consists of several audition sequences in which Vin adopts different accents, different styles and different personas (he even raps in one scene), mimicking Pacino, Stallone, Brando etc. Is Vin trying to show off? Is he trying to wow us with his range? Or is this all meant to be a bit comedic?

If Vin is honestly trying to stun us with his acting, then he fails miserably. Or rather, because he fails, the film takes on the form of a really sad tragedy, Vin mourning his own desperation; his own, in a way, uselessness.

7.9/10 – Worth one viewing..