Movie Review: Lisa Picard is Famous

Story: This review is dedicated to all members of the LOBO list who are passionately involved in the world of the performing arts - including, but not exclusively the worlds of theater, dance, voice-overs, commercials, etc. My hat (or during these days of summer, a visor) goes off to you! This chosen world of yours stinks and Lisa Picard is Famous proves it in a most appealing way. In an 'a la Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show) mockumentary style, this film which is directed by Griffin Dunne (who has his own bizarre pedigree) from a story written by Nat De Wolf and Laura Kirk (who also star), as themselves (sort of). Basically a fictional cinema verite documentary film maker selects Lisa Picard as someone who he thinks is on the brink of stardom. He decides to film her walk from relative obscurity to celebrity. There are some hilarious moments and great cameo roles. There are also some not so great segments as well. For the most part I was thoroughly entertained and walked away thankful that I am in the visual arts and not the performing arts.

The Film Forum, where this film is showing, handed out a background flyer that provided some details about how this film got made and what had happened to the characters, professionally, since it's release - which is, essentially nothing. As I said, the life of an actor is not an easy life. Oy!

Acting: Both Nat DeWolf and Laura Kirk are terrific, as themselves. All of the cameos are great, especially Carrie Fisher and Buck Henry.

Critters: Gort, the dog, from There's Something About Mary.

Food: Lots of NYC style take-out food.

Visual Art: Lots of variety in each downtown NYC apartment. Very enjoyable to look at.

Blatant Product Placement: All over the place but Wheat Chex has a very big role.

Soundtrack: Don't remember.

Opening Titles: Funny

Theater Audience: Packed. I have a feeling I was the only one not in the biz.

Quirky Meter: 4

Predictability Level: Medium.

Tissue Usage: 0 - but I felt very sad about all of the rejections.

Oscar Worthy: No

Nit Picking: Nothing.

Big Screen or Rental: Good luck in finding this in a theater near you. How about renting any of Christopher Guests' films.

Length: 90 minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 6