I am always tempted when I hear about the showing of some rare film oddity, so we went to the Institute of Contemporary Arts to see this one which was promoted as an experimental flick from someone called Don Levy featuring Helen Mirren in her first film role. I was further tempted by its very high rating on IMDb, but what a pretentious disappointment it turned out to be -- all 142 minutes of it!
The story, such as it is, concerns a young man who approaches an advertising tycoon to promote his forthcoming suicide. The film takes its title from a legendary "hero" who burnt down the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven Wonders of the World, in a bid for immortality. I assume this was meant to be some sort of satire or protest against commericalism and other evils of the modern world, since this slim story was intercut with archive news footage, fashion shoots, and bloody butchery from an abattoir -- along with some artsy-craftsy fast-motion footage. There were effectively only three main characters, the young man, the ad-man, and the latter's receptionist-cum-mistress -- none of whom were the least bit interesting or likeable. In the end it becomes apparent that no one gives a damn if the suicide occurs on schedule -- and while there is a death, there is virtually nobody there to note it.
This film was so full of itself that it didn't even run to front or back credits. Oh, and Helen Mirren did appear in it -- for about five minutes -- as a scantily clad model promoting kitchen gloves. Can I have those 142 minutes back please.
1 comment:
I wonder how apparent no-talents (if this film is any indication)m manage to get even the limited
funding that is required for a film of this length.
Forget Helen Mirren whose first film this was - she
appears in a low cut corset dancing through and advert for rubber gloves. The limited acting ability of the hero, the peculiar angles used - no
doubt meant to be ironic or somehow artistic -
and the confusing intercuts do not add to what is an overlong attempt to excoriate the consumer
society and the early years of celebrity status at the drop of a hat ( or other clothing if female).
Gabriella Licudi in the main female role looks
cool and elegant but has limited depth which is
reflected in her fairly limited career. The hero is
played by someone whose name I forget but his
acting was poor - and that is being kind. A waste
of time for all concerned including the audiences
mgp1449
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