Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get far on Foot. (2018)

John Callahan was best known for two things, a cartoonist that specialised in macabre subjects including disabilities and the fact that he himself was a quadriplegic resulting from a very serious car accident at the age of 21 following a heavy bout of drinking.

Gus Van Sant based his screenplay on the book of the same name written by Callahan. The biopic stars Joaquin Phoenix, an actor I’m not always keen on but in this role he is ideally cast. This dark comedy is not always an easy watch mainly because of Phoenix portrayal of this far from perfect character and his struggle with both his deformity coupled with his fight with alcohol but certainly a man you can’t help admire at times. There’s a grand supporting cast, which includes Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and a great cameo from Jack Black.  You can catch this movie on Amazon Prime.     

The Master.

The rather interesting poster.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s previous body of work includes There Will Be Blood (2007) and Magnolia (1999), which I believe is still his best film to date. His latest offering is The Master (2012) which has received a great deal of praise from the critic’s and has gained a much-lorded position in many of the ‘Best Of’ lists for 2012. The only reason I can see for such acclaim is the quality of the performances from its highly rated cast and its period detail that allows a really classy glimpse at 1950’s America and its middle class. But I’m afraid Anderson’s script is just not good enough for such a complex story, it did not draw you in and hold your attention which made the 137 minute running time seem even longer than it actually was.

Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie Quall.

The film’s central character is an ex Word War 11 veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) who is struggling to adjust to post war society. When Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the leader of a philosophical movement known as ‘The Cause’ comes across the alcoholic Quell he see’s something in this strange gait figure. The film basically deals with the relationship between two very different men. 

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Lancaster Dodds.

After the catastrophe that was I'm Still Here (2010), one of the very rare films which I have left before the end, I could not imagine that Joaquin Phoenix would ever redeem him self in my eyes. But his performance as Quell is totally believable gaining him a very well deserved nomination for Best Actor in January’s Golden Globes, which in it’s self is a good pointer for Februarys Academy Awards.  Hoffman should also get nominated for Best Male Support at the Oscars for a role that’s said to be based on L. Ron Hubbard who founded the Church of Scientology in the 1950’s. Also well worth a mention is Amy Adams, who plays Peggy Dodd, Lancaster’s supportive wife, who is rapidly becoming one of America’s best actresses. The rather pleasing soundtrack has been composed by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood who has previously composed music for another of Andersons films Let There Be Blood as well as the intriguing Norwegian Wood (2010) and Lynne Ramsay’s Oscar neglected We Need To Talk About Kevin (2010). Personally I would swop some of the beautifully looking camera work by Romanian cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr. for a story line that engaged my undivided attention: disappointing. 

The superb Amy Adams as Peggy Dodd.

I’m Still Here

As I only saw half of RBCs Monday nights Film Club offering I suppose it’s unfair to judge I’m Still Here (2010) in its entirety, but unless the second half improved beyond all recognition then I will assume that that it was just as bad as the first half. A story of self-destruction involving a known public figure namely one Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix is best known for his portrayal of the great country singer Johnny Cash (A man I’ve seen perform live twice!) I Walk the Line 2005 won him a Golden Globe for Best Actor he has also been nominated for awards in Gladiator 2000, Buffalo Soldiers 2001and Hotel Rwanda 2004 amongst others, therefore its no exaggeration to state that he was a successful and popular actor. For this reason it was a surprise to all and sundry when he announced his retirement from acting and his intended transition into a career as a hip hop artist, and even a bigger surprise when his brother-in-law and fellow actor Casey Affleck decided to make a ‘documentary’ about Phoenix’s crash and burn.

The big question is was this movie originally intended as a documentary or, as it was later claimed, a mockumentry? I think the answer is who cares! Mockumentry or documentary this is possible the worst film I have ever had the misfortune to see. I’m certainly no prude but this sordid movie with its bad language, male nudity and drug taking offended me, as did the mumbling performance from the lead actor, we even had to be provided with subtitles. Summing up; its mind numbingly boring tripe.