Hey folks, Harry here with a look from Spiderfella on Joel Schumacher's latest film... which has been garnering some pretty positive reviews from all over the place. And well, it seems Spiderfella is no different. He saw the film up at the New York Film Festival and dug the hell out of it. Schumacher has been a filmmaking machine recently... going one film after another after another and so on... Each one a bit more independent in spirit than the one before. I wish him the best of luck in this as... it seems that a lost filmmaker might very well of stumbled upon his trail of bread crumbs. It's nicer when they know their way... eh? Here's TIGERLAND as seen by Spiderfella...
Hey Harry!
Live from New York City it's...."TIGERLAND!!!!" Yo, yo, yo!!! SPIDERFELLA re ports from Monday night's NYC premiere. First off, this isn't a detailed review -- however, I just wanna give all the COOL FANS something to think about and some scoop on this film.
So, here's the deal....I easily give Joel Schumacher's "Tigerland" 4 stars!! And here's why....
In case you haven't read the first two RAVE reviews in VARIETY and THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER last week (reviews are still online) then, maybe you'll read the next rave review in your local paper soon. "Tigerland" opens in NY and LA Friday, September 22nd and across the nation October 6th.
"Tigerland" takes place in Fort Polk, Louisiana in 1971. A reluctant recruit ROLAND BOZZ, (played amazingly by newcomer Colin Farrell) wants nothing more than to be discharged and avoid the Vietnam War -- where if you go, chances are you're coming back...in a body bag. But, the more disobedient and rebellious he is, the more his peers as well as his superiors see him as a leader. ROLAND BOZZ transforms into a natural born leader. When every carefully planned tactic falls, ROLAND BOZZ tries to get all of his fellow draftees in the company kicked out of the army. The movie focuses on ROLAND BOZZ and his second platoon.
I guess, that Joel Schumacher dude does have some talent, heart and soul. "Tigerland" shot on a restless, handheld 16 mm camera is a gritty, well-made film without any special effects or production design. The indie production (and that's what it is) is both engaging and emotionally moving from the very start. The writers, Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther pinpoint a truthful reality of being trapped in a military training base before being shipped out to the Vietnam War. The well-scripted film is actually scary at times. That's how real the film experience is. "Tigerland" is touching to say the least and will satisfy the viewer with more than a piece of cinema that comes from the heart and soul in three areas -- acting, writing and the director of photography. "Tigerland" lives up to it's expectations. It's a skillful, no-budget experimental film that will put the actors, writers and the D.P. on everyone's list of promising new talent.
TWO MAIN REASONS on why the film works. ACTING (Colin Farrell and a strong supporting cast) & WRITING. First, the acting. The performances are clear and strong. Especially, an unknown (only for a short time) actor named COLIN FARRELL -- who is soooo mesmerizing as ROLAND BOZZ. He plays a rough, Texas wise-ass who transforms gradually into a natural leader. Don't laugh if you've been hearing Oscar-buzz on him. I've already read in the NY POST last week that's there's been Oscar talk on his electrifying performance. With every moment every on screen we can feel his inner spirit. His pain, hope, and reluctance which eventually undergoes a metamorphosis before our very eyes into something really special -- a natural leader. A man. This actor has done his homework and research for his role. Colin Farrell glows when he's on screen. Finally, a real, organic, truthful young actor that we haven't seen in a while. I would recommend this film to anyone -- even if you don't like Joel Schumacher or if you're sick of Army and War movies. See this film. It has heart and soul. Colin Farrell along with writers Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther are all worth the price of admission.
"Tigerland" had it's World premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last week. Some friends of mine saw a screening and loved it!! They told me that the audience was cheering and going nuts. Well, Monday night's audience loved it too!!
The main reason why the film works is a combination of a few things. The script, the script and the script. Film students & aspiring screenwriters -- see the film. The dialogue is real and sharp. The scenes never seem flat or Hollywoodish. The writers have done a very fine job. Of course, this film would NEVER WORK without the terrific performance by Colin Farrell. I'm telling you again, watch out for this young future superstar. People are saying he's the next James Dean and Brando and De Niro. I say -- he'll make a name for himself as COLIN FARRELL. He's one of a kind. Judge for yourself. Without him and the freshly written script by two natural story tellers, "Tigerland," would have no chance at success. Joel Schumacher has selected a great screenplay, a wonderful cast and did good job getting back to film basics. Hopefully, it will carry over to his next film. I gotta give him credit.
Some of the supporting actors are awesome!! Most notably, Clifton Collins, Jr. (Miter), Thomas Guiry (Cantwell) and Cole Hauser. (Sergeant Cota) They all brought life and truthfulness to their roles. The camera is always moving and zooming in & out in a fresh way -- every moment. It never gets boring. Before the screening Joel Schumacher said there was no dolly shots, tripods, Hollywood lighting designs, production designs, make-up artist and trailers for the actors -- and he wasn't lying. I gotta give major props to Matthew Libatique, the D.P. I personally think Matthew should get a co-directing credit. Without his innovative camera work the pic would lack emotional depth. (He shot"Pi" & "Requiem for a Dream") "Tigerland" looks soooo real -- just like a documentary film. All the actors are unknown and that makes their characters even more believable. I still wonder -- is Joel Schumacher really talented or lucky? Maybe, he's really talented or maybe he just came across a wonderful screenplay by two unknowns who just restarted his career. Like THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER said in their review, "Joel Schumacher should thank the writers, Ross Klavan & Michael McGruther" -- and so do I and so will the audience. =)
And that's the deal my friends. Take care and God Bless America for "Tigerland!!"
Spiderfella
