A coming-of-age story with some twists: almost every adult seems to be arrayed against young Joe, who finds little other solace in the world. The movie begins with a false note -- at least it sounded false -- with 9 year-old Joe graphically humiliated by his teacher. Almost every adult in the film fails Joe. There are some amusing moments in this too-long, supposedly autobiographical movie, but far too few.
Reviews
3 Reviews
My Son the Fanatic
(1997)
A cauldron of simmering conflicts comes to a boil.
19 May 1999
Every vector of conflict imaginable -- anglo vs. ethnic; traditionalist vs. assimilative; father vs. son; marital fidelity vs. emotional freedom -- is focused on sweet, clueless Parvez, who falls into a friendship with a lovely, needy hooker and thereby undoes his theretofore tidy immigrant life in a chill, un-jolly, inhospitable England.
The Velocity of Gary
(1998)
Competitors in a bisexual triangle ultimately find common ground in their need to honor a deceased love.
17 May 1999
This propulsive, raw, ultimately moving film is based on that strongest of artistic constructions: the triangle. Mary Carmen (Hayek) and Gary (Jane) are both in love with the charismatic bisexual Valentino (D'Onofrio), consequently detest each other. Val's energy and spirit, then his fatal illness, binds the unlikely threesome together.
Critics have treated the film unfairly, whining about the lack of explicit character motivation. My advice: don't be afraid to supply a few details; you don't have to know the whole back story. The festival audience I saw it with loved it as I did.
Critics have treated the film unfairly, whining about the lack of explicit character motivation. My advice: don't be afraid to supply a few details; you don't have to know the whole back story. The festival audience I saw it with loved it as I did.
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