Let me preface this by saying that since I reached the age when groping and open mouth kissing became acceptable my ability to sit in a dark, crowded theatre has diminished. The films that I review are often old and/or obscure as a result and benefit of that small aside. The Favorite Guy often asks, "How do you find these movies"? I shall reveal the answer here.
I spend a minimum of an hour choosing movies for my Netflix queue. (And, Favorite Guy bought me a Netflix player for Valentine's Day!Woohoo) Most are documentaries and the others are based on concepts that otherwise would not appear as intriguing film fodder. It is in those little crevices of the cinema-sphere that I find movies such as this one.
The Talent Given Us was not only written, directed and, featured Andrew Wagner, but the accompanying big screen unknowns happen to be his parents and siblings cast in their respective real-life roles. The story covers a road trip from New York to Los Angeles where the Wagner's intend to deliver a phone message to their seemingly reclusive, screenwriter son, Andrew.
In quasi-NYC family fashion everyone is either in therapy, should seek therapy or are of course, yogi armchair therapists themselves. The collective neuroses displayed as the characters weave the story is a welcome and almost necessary backdrop for the love story that inevitably shapes through the retelling of their journey as a family along this 3,000 mile journey.
The beginning of the film is a bit slow and will probably resonate most with those who are familiar with a certain type of neurotic New Yorker-think, the parents on Seinfeld. But, as the story moves these traits prove solid foundation on which to build the rest of the film. Finally, if you can get past Mr. Wagner's incessant, post-stroke, food-spattering and foaming at the mouth, you will take from The Talent Given Us, a pleasantly quirky, yet honestly gripping tale of loss, life and loves: romantic love, familial love and self-love in no particular order.
I spend a minimum of an hour choosing movies for my Netflix queue. (And, Favorite Guy bought me a Netflix player for Valentine's Day!Woohoo) Most are documentaries and the others are based on concepts that otherwise would not appear as intriguing film fodder. It is in those little crevices of the cinema-sphere that I find movies such as this one.
The Talent Given Us was not only written, directed and, featured Andrew Wagner, but the accompanying big screen unknowns happen to be his parents and siblings cast in their respective real-life roles. The story covers a road trip from New York to Los Angeles where the Wagner's intend to deliver a phone message to their seemingly reclusive, screenwriter son, Andrew.
In quasi-NYC family fashion everyone is either in therapy, should seek therapy or are of course, yogi armchair therapists themselves. The collective neuroses displayed as the characters weave the story is a welcome and almost necessary backdrop for the love story that inevitably shapes through the retelling of their journey as a family along this 3,000 mile journey.
The beginning of the film is a bit slow and will probably resonate most with those who are familiar with a certain type of neurotic New Yorker-think, the parents on Seinfeld. But, as the story moves these traits prove solid foundation on which to build the rest of the film. Finally, if you can get past Mr. Wagner's incessant, post-stroke, food-spattering and foaming at the mouth, you will take from The Talent Given Us, a pleasantly quirky, yet honestly gripping tale of loss, life and loves: romantic love, familial love and self-love in no particular order.
Peace
15 comments:
Sounds extremely interesting. Great, another movie to put in my Netflix que. This makes me very happy.
i'm not so into food-spattering and foaming at the mouth, so thanks for the warning on that part... :)
Hmmm....does a person from a psychotic NY family want to watch a movie about a neurotic NY family?!
I generally need to escape the whole crazy-family thing when I watch a movie! ; )
i always enjoy your movie reviews and have also wondered how you find them. i've got no experience with netflix, but in my search for films and documentaries (at the library), i try to search out those that would normally go under the radar. in my experience, they're usually the most insightful, informative, truthful, and well written.
Not gonna lie that movie sounds interesting, so hey I'm totally psyched out of my mind for Idol tonight, and I'm completly not surprised, but totally impressed that you speak french. . . .boy you New York Girls are so cultured!
That definitely sounds like something I'd like to see,thanks!
i just know i love tongue kissing - with the right person
T-
I love your reviews. And a Netflix player? I'd never even heard of that before...sounds awesome!
Now THATS cool, lol. I might have to check this one out one day. Shoot, the only way to broaden your horizons is to try something new. I think your film selections are great and I love when you tell us about them.
Thanks for the review. I may check it out.
Thanks for the review. I may check it out.
Netflix has truned us into movie buffs. And really happy to hear the mail truck.
Love your style of writing ----, poetic, meaningful, and artistic
new to your blog,
Enjoy your mini vacation In Arizona ---
Joanny
still trying to put together a blog of my own -- too many distractions,,,,,
Sounds like a must-see. Thanks for the hook up.
LiBBy
I just saw this film on Sundance Channel and loved it. It is so quirky and true and make-believe, seemingly, all at the same time. I loved it.
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