By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Daniel Algrant
Starring: Ben Rosenfield | Frank Wood | Ilana Levine | Imogen Poots | Norbert Leo Butz | Penn Badgley | William Sadler
Country: united_states
Year: 2013
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1823125/
Bruce says: “Folk rock artist Tim Buckley died in 1975 from an accidental drug overdose. His only child was Jeff Buckley who he saw only twice in his life, as an infant and as a seven year old when Jeff came to stay for a fortnight or so. Tim was recording at the time of Jeff’s only visit and he was in the studio the whole time, never inviting Jeff to come along.
“The film begins as Jeff Buckley, an awkward, unknown musician receives a phone call invitation to participate in a tribute to his father Tim Buckley at St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights. When the caller asks him a personal question he is forced to admit, ‘I don’t really know my father.’ When he arrives he is initially dismissed by most of the band members. One mutters, ‘I didn’t know Tim had a son.’
“During his stay in New York Jeff has a dalliance with a young girl and is befriended by guitar player Gary Lucas (Frank Wood). He woefully admits ‘My father had six albums out by the time he was my age.’ As rehearsals begin, he dazzles everyone with his guitar playing and unique singing voice. During the concert, his performance of ‘Once Was a Soldier’ was the highlight of the evening. Shortly thereafter Jeff’s career is launched with a cult album Grace. He only recorded one other album following in his father’s footsteps with an untimely death from drowning at the age of thirty.
“The slice-of-life premise of GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY is a fabulous storytelling opportunity. It’s a shame that such a good opportunity has been squandered by less than adequate screenwriting skills and direction that is undisciplined and meandering. At time it seems Dan Algrant is unsure of the story he is telling. It is unlikely the average viewer will know any of the characters involved and, regrettably, they are not properly explained or well developed. Flashback vignettes from Tim Buckley’s life do more to confuse the film than bring it clarity, an exception being, ‘My wife hates my talent.’ That is how Tim explains his failed marriage to a woman he has just picked up. The highlight of the film is the wonderful performance of Penn Badgley who perfectly conveys and balances the awkwardness and insecurity of youth with evidence of an undeniable, unique talent.
“For years now I have seen many people I know on screen in both feature films and documentaries; GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY is a landmark film for me – it is the first time I’ve known one of the characters in a film. Gary Lucas lives in my building in New York City. I am happy to report Frank Wood does him justice. 3 cats
“(GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.)”