By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Daniel Liu | Gabe Nevins | Jake Miller | Taylor Momsen
Country: france, united_states
Year: 2008
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0842929/
Michael says: “I guess I’ve kind of given up on Gus Van Sant. I enjoyed his early work including MALA NOCHE, DRUGSTORE
COWBOY and MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO. For me he peaked as he started eyeing Hollywood with TO DIE FOR. Then there was his Hollywood period with GOOD WILL HUNTING, FINDING FORRESTER and PSYCHO. ‘Nuff said. I picked him up again with GERRY, which I enjoyed well enough, but ELEPHANT and LAST DAYS just didn’t interest me at all. PARANOID PARK would have definitely fallen into this latter category, and I would have skipped it completely if it hadn’t been last week’s Sunday Eye Opener at the Brattle.
“PARANOID PARK didn’t change me opinion of Van Sant’s recent work, but it did remind me that he is a strong filmmaker who just happens to be making films that I am not interested in. PARANOID PARK focuses on skateboard culture in the Pacific Northwest, and adds a little murder mystery on top. Alex, our cherubic lead, is fairly typical of the teen, skateboard crowd. His parents are divorcing, he’s dating a pretty, cheerleader, he hangs with his friends, and he seems a little detached and disaffected from it all. When his buddy Jared suggests they go to Paranoid Park, he states that he doesn’t think he’s ready. ‘No one’s ready for Paranoid Park,’ Jared replies, and off they go. Alex immediately feels the pull of Paranoid Park, where older, skateboarders hang and the subculture is in full swing. He returns by himself one night and goes freight train jumping with an older guy who befriends him. After a horrible accident in the train yard, Alex’ life is suddenly thrust into an entirely new light.
“A major change for Van Sant with this film is the use of acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle, known for his stellar work on the films of Wong Kar Wai. With imagery reminiscent of Ed Lachman’s THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, Doyle creates a dreamlike setting to settle over the urban grit of concrete skate parks and lonely train yards. Most of the actors in PARANOID PARK are making their screen debuts, which give the film a slightly choppy feel as varying levels of talent interact with each other on screen. There are a lot of ideas embedded in the film, and they’re all loose enough for viewers to find and embrace the one that most resonates with them; a sign of a strong film. Is PARANOID PARK about the consequences of a disconnected, uninvolved youth? Perhaps it’s about taking responsibility for your actions (or not). Certainly there is a strong theme of the world outside your life and how a single action can radically change your day-to-day existence. An accomplished film? Sure. Did I like it? Eh. 2.5 cats”