MY EFFORTLESS BRILLIANCE (2008) (A-minus) - An early effort from Lynn Shelton, who died this past spring, this comic-drama features a pair of talented actors riffing through some improvisational material under Shelton's firm gaze.
An urbane, self-obsessed author, Eric, (Sean Nelson, better known as the lead singer for Harvey Danger) travels way out of his element to rural Washington in order to repair a friendship we see him trashing in the film's opening scene. His old pal Dylan (Basil Harris) is loath to warm to this horrid old acquaintance, but Eric humbles himself and tones down the snark, and the two find slivers of opportunities to bond.
That's the whole movie, a classic of the Mumblecore genre. It was Shelton's dry run right before her twin gems of "Humpday" and "Your Sister's Sister," creating a hat trick that Shelton could never replicate. But here she sketches out a story and lets two talented personalities fill in the gaps with bon mots and a natural rapport. (Nelson rarely acted outside of Shelton projects.)
The result is funny and tender, with a hunting scene that serves as a Gen X ironic slap at David Mamet. A key piece of the indie canon.
WITHNAIL & I (1987) (A) - This classic from the post-punk hangover era ages well. IMDb sums the plot up well: "In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous."
WITHNAIL & I (1987) (A) - This classic from the post-punk hangover era ages well. IMDb sums the plot up well: "In 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous."
Richard E. Grant is bonkers as the lighter-fluid-drinking Withnail, and Paul McGann (as & I) plays the straight man whose uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths) lusts for Withnail. Ralph Brown is brilliant as Danny the drug dealer.
Bruce Robinson (who followed up with Grant to make the equally askew "How to Get Ahead in Advertising"), apparently working from a fever dream, tosses this all together in a wacky salad. It is offensive and inspired, a descendant of a Shakespearean farce.
Bruce Robinson (who followed up with Grant to make the equally askew "How to Get Ahead in Advertising"), apparently working from a fever dream, tosses this all together in a wacky salad. It is offensive and inspired, a descendant of a Shakespearean farce.
BONUS TRACKS
We rarely bother with the extras, but the DVD bonus feature with "Withnail" is a short documentary about the making of film and the cult that grew around it.
We rarely bother with the extras, but the DVD bonus feature with "Withnail" is a short documentary about the making of film and the cult that grew around it.
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