Urbania
(2000)
I don't know where to begin. I truly don't. A film
like "Urbania" only comes around so often. It is a ripe
and delicious fruit with a zest full of bitter sting
and tangy surprise. It is passionate, deeply touching,
mind-blowing and unbelievable. It's a film that will
sucker punch you throughout it's running with it's brilliance
and it's ability to speak volumes - with a look, a gesture,
a thought, a word.
Please - I beg of you. Don't
read any further. Don't read up on the plot.
Please know nothing more about it. Please don't allow
yourself to fall into the trap. Don't spoil this film
for yourself. Just see it.
See it.
See it.
See it.
See it.
See it.
See it.
If you have to wait for it to be released in your
city or released on video. Then wait. File it in the
back of your mind. At some point you will notice it
playing at the local arthouse. Just go. Don't look at
the poster. Don't read the synopsis in the paper. Tune
out Ebert and whoever when they begin to talk about
it. Don't read the reviews. Don't ready anymore here.
Don't allow yourself to be denied the wonderful and
miraculous perfected rawness that is "Urbania." See
it. Then send me an e-mail so we can talk endlessly
about it. This is a film that will blow you away.
Dan Futterman plays the lead. He deserves every award
that can be heaped upon him. Matthew Keeslar is perfect
and precious here too. Everyone in the film is pitch
perfect. The film soars in the hands of it's actors.
Director Jon Shear has worked with playwright Daniel
Reitz to mold an amazing and breathtaking script from
the latter's stage play "Urban Folk Tales." (Too bad
the stupid teen horror flicks have almost ruined this
idea). The direction and pacing and music and dialogue
owe a bit to Hal Hartley. The appearance of Bill Sage
in a minor role acknowledges this debt. But this film
stands remarkably on it's own. It's ability to consistently
astound and dumbfound is extraordinary. This is a film
that should have accolade upon accolade draped upon
it. It's about so much. It's so important. It's quite
possibly the most important film of the year. It certainly
the most impressive and incredible. I want everyone
I know to see it so we can talk endlessly about it.
See it.
Really. That's it. See it. I refuse to spoil it. I've
already said too much. "Urbania" is one of the finest
motion pictures ever made. It falls somewhere between
Peter Weir's remarkable "Fearless" and Gregg Araki's
"The Doom Generation" on my list of the "10 Best and
Most Important films of all time." A masterpiece in
every sense of the word. And more... so much more...
Notes:
Also with Paige Turco, Allan Cumming, Samuel Ball,
Josh Hamilton.
Music by Mark Anthony Thompson. Edited by Randolph
K. Bricker and Ed Marx.
The film and Futterman have won several awards at
numerous film festivals.
The film was to be distributed by Unapix but when
they had to drop the piece due to financial constraints
in late August, 2000, Lion's Gate stepped in and picked
up the film, sticking to the original release date schedule.
More
of Lodger's reviews indexed alphabetically! Just click
your favorite letter to go there.
a
b c
d e
f g
h i
j k
l m
n o
p q
r s
t u
v w
x y
z
HOME
|
In
Association with:
|
Posters From!
|
|
Please Visit
|
|
