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| Movie Review: Palindromes Alternate Title: Yo, Oy!
Story: Wow! Director and writer
Todd Solendz has once again delivered a head scratching,
sure to be controversial film. No one does suburban angst and dysfunction
quite the way he does. The characters we meet in his bleak, often satirical
universe remind me of photographer Diane Arbus' subjects coming to life
up on the big screen - strange, yet somehow familiar. Our main character,
Aviva, is played by eight different actors including two women, four
girls around age13, an androgynous boy, a six year old black girl and
an overweight black woman. The story is linear and the actors merge
into the Aviva role as if in a ghost like form. The story is presented
in chapters. Like a palindrome, our main character does not
change regardless of the dramatic events that are occurring to her.
She moves forward and backward in life and she remains the same. This film touches on many controversial topics
including the extremists in the right to life issue, abortion, pedophilia
and the intense almost cult like world of some of the born again Christians. If you like to be challenged by the strange world
of Todd Solendz check this film out. Also Google the many web sites
devoted to Palindromes. Who knew there were that many people interested
in palindromes? Some that I use often are: Huh?, LOL and SOS! Acting: The Aviva character was played beautifully
by all of the eight actors. Ellen Barkin as the mother
was hilarious. Special kudos to Debra Monk as Mama
Sunshine and little Alexander Bricket as Peter Paul.
Predilection: I am interested in director Todd Solendz.
Critters: One sweet dog named Cuddles.
Food: Some Freedom (French) Toast, hot dogs, hamburgers
and french fries. Soundtrack: Hilarious
Opening Titles: We open on a somber, yet funny funeral
home scene. Todd Solendz groupies will know that the suicide victim
is the character, Dawn Weiner from his first film, Welcome to the
Dollhouse. Visual Art: Some very funny wall art in the homes
of the characters.
Theater Audience: About twelve people, four of whom
left the theater before the film was over .I laughed in a number of
places when no one else did. My movie buddy thought my reactions very
odd.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 4
Squirm Scale: Pedophilia is a very squirmy topic. Predictability Level: Did not have a clue where this
film was headed.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: No nits to pick.
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. For Solendz'
other work try renting: Welcome to the Dollhouse, Happiness and
Storytelling.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 6
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