Paranoid Park (2008)

Gus Van Sant once again shows his interest in adolescent angst and solitude in Paranoid Park, a film about a skater kid who accidentally kills a security guard near one of his skate parks, and must then live with the guilt. It's an observation of one teenagers quiet and moody life as it spirals out of control in a haunting dream like state that tries to capture the audience in a trance, but I'm not sure that it succeeded in doing so.There's a very specific style to Paranoid Park that is full of eerily calm and dreamy cinematography. This style tries very hard to work how Van Sant wants it to, but for me it really didn't translate to much more than blank stares and meaningless long shots. I can clearly see what the filmmakers were going for here but it ended up being more obnoxious than captivating. There's obvious talent at work here, but what sounded good on paper or felt great in the minds eye didn't transfer to celluloid quite as well.One thing I can commend Paranoid Park on is it's overall story and the unique narrative style in which it is all presented. The film is narrated by our protagonist, Alex, whose narration is actually part of a letter that he is writing throughout the movie. Because Alex isn't a writer his letter is a little out of order, as is the story and the events that play out in the film. We see certain events multiple times as Alex tells them in his own scatter brained fashion and this way of telling the story makes it more enthralling and much more personal. Throughout the plot there is some silly logic and pretty dumb moments, but as a story it is told very well.But there are many things holding the film back. The overly stylistic cinematography gets in the way and the overly subdued, practically catatonic acting detracts from everything else that is decent about the film. Paranoid Park isn't a disaster by any means, but it has it's fair share of issues that keep it from being that great of a film.

Let me start off by saying I didn't hate this movie. I found it interesting but that's as far as it went. Two major flaws for this movie was the acting and dialogue, which surprised me because so many other reviews suggested otherwise. I don't remember names but two of the worst actors were our main characters girlfriend, and the other girl he hung out with. It was one of those cases where they were self conscious of the camera, they both just seemed awkward and out of place. This didn't go for just those two though, almost everyone in the movie had at least one moment like this (with maybe an exception for the mom and dad). The dialogue in some parts was just terrible. There were definitely times where I laughed during a particular scene that wasn't meant to be funny. I don't know why this movie has received such high praise. My guess would be because its "Artsy". "Artsy", I hate the word. Its gets slapped on movies that would normally be deemed stupid/bad because it has "taste". Well, taste is like opinions, everyone's is different and some better then others. Personally, I think some experimental movies should just be left as experiments. I would not recommend this movie.

Often when directors become big and famous, they'll lament about having to sacrifice personal projects for the 'big blockbuster,' as if that was some excuse for selling out (*cough*GeorgeLucas*cough*). That's why I have a lot of respect for Gus van Sant, a guy who struck a chord with audiences and critics alike in the late 90s, but flew completely under the radar afterward, writing and directing films that he felt were significant to him. "Paranoid Park" is a perfect example of that - a sort of skater-crime-drama about a kid who is accidentally responsible for the death of a cop. Fortunately the movie doesn't hinge on plot twists, but focuses on the kid, Alex, and how his life is affected before and after. The film is spliced with what looks to be home videos of skateboard footage and is topped off with new and young actors, giving the whole movie an amateur vibe. This turns out to be an advantage - there's nothing that complements the confusion that comes with being a teenager as well as a sense of authenticity. Overall, the movie doesn't pack as much of a punch as "Elephant," or isn't as absorbing as "Gerry," but is likely to stay with you and keep you wondering, "what if that was me?"

If it's an art and essay film, there is not enough art, not to mention essay.If it is a thriller, there is not enough thriller.If it is a teenage drama, there is not enough drama, and as far as teenagers are concerned, there is not enough NOFX and too much Nino Rota.I thought it could be a trailer for Tony Hawk's forthcoming movie, but there is no Tony Hawk, so I guess I'be been cheated: it's not Tony Hawk biopic.If it's an action movie, it lacks explosions, which would have added some interest to it, or at least would have make jump the sleeping ones into their chairs.Most of the characters seem to be dead inside, but it's not a zombie movie. In fact, if it is a movie, there is not enough plot. If it is not a movie, it lasts too long to be a music video.If it's a music video, well... it's an album I will not purchase