Buster's Mal Heart

Greetings again from the darkness. A film festival wouldn't be complete without at least one mind-blowing avant-garde cinematic experience. I'm not the kind that needs every ending neatly bow-wrapped, and I often enjoy having conventional story structure challenged and even dissolved. Writer/director Sarah Adina Smith seems to thrive in such an environment in this twisty psychological thriller covering three timelines (one of which may be a dream) … or a split personality … or two/three men from one … or some combination … or something else entirely that I might have missed. (I'm not too proud to admit this distinct possibility).

When a filmmaker bravely dives into the bizarre, casting becomes crucial. Ms. Smith nails it with Rami Malek, DJ Qualls and Kate Lyn Sheil. Thanks to the popularity of TV's "Mr. Robot", Malek is now a leading man – albeit far outside the Ryan Gosling mold. Here he plays Jonah, a struggling family man with a wife (Ms. Sheil) and young child. Working as a night Concierge at a hotel, Jonah tries to make the best of the lack of sleep and minimal contact with his family. In addition to Jonah, Malek plays Buster, a slippery and hirsute mountain man who negotiates his way through the Montana mountains by hanging out in the multi-million dollar vacation homes (mostly) vacated by their owners during the snowy winter months.

The film bounces between 3 periods for Jonah/Buster: the elusive near-mythical mountain man running from the law, the bleak nights of the family man, and a dream-like sequence where he is adrift at sea in a row boat. Throughout the film, references to "sphincter" and multiple proclamations that "The Inversion is coming" lead us to believe there could be a sci-fi connection or an apocalyptic ending headed our way. Instead, it's "the belly of the whale" that might unlock the mystery or mysteries serenaded by the thunderous techno-bass bass. Even with the dark comedic elements, it's a head-scratcher for sure; but one that manages to keep us engaged despite our whirlwind of theories and uncertainly.

I'm keeping with the on the run theme, having just watched The 39 Steps. Buster (Rami Malek) is no Robert Donut though and this is a much more involved film. We first meet Buster or Jonah as he was, looking like a wild hermit, the local cops inform us he's been on the run for 5 years, breaking into places for sustenance and evading capture. What plays out is essentially what's lead Buster to this place, but it's not a smooth ride. He works hard. Works the night shift. Has a young family, goes to Church. There's niggles though. His wife's parents that they live with don't approve of him. He's a free thinker, motivated, ambitious, there's a lot of energy in him and Malek taps into it well. I've often thought about how hard working nights must be. For Jonah here, well it's the catalyst for his break with society and reality. Working in the hotel as concierge when there's little to do but tidy up, he's on the edge of sleep deprivation with his mind time to wander. An encounter with The Last Free Man (DJ Qualls) brings some excitement. Qualls does paranoid crazy well. He's a torrent of conspiracy theories, Y2K, CIA Hitlists, the Inversion. This becomes Buster's new centre, The Inversion, his obsession, the idea of an impending event, one that will deliver him and others that he tries to warn by ranting on local talk radio. Taking refuge in vacant summer homes, his life on the lam is not unpleasant. Hot baths, some personal hygiene care, mixed with what I'm sure he'd denote as warnings of The Inversion, turning family photos upside down. It's all a bit like The Shining without the focus. This isn't a great film, but Jonah's desire to live his life free, away from the system of renting a home, working for the man, that's interesting and his struggle to make that work for his family, well there's real substance. There's a lot going on in Jonah's head and we only really see things from his perspective, meaning things can get a little fuzzy as he becomes more and more disconnected. It's intentional though, allowing the viewer to decide what's real, what's psychosis, what's important, what's the minds way of coping with horrible events. It would be better if it left some things left unsaid, but instead it feels the need to explain and simplify. This is a bit frustrating, but with so many possible interpretations, I guess Sarah Adina Smith who wrote and directed this wanted to throw us a bone. It's a twister, it's good, a little confusing, not overly satisfying, somewhat maddening, but highly engaging and the sort of film I could watch a few times, digging further into various theories. At the same time, it can be interpreted as being quite simple. The story of a bloke losing it, breaking down and healing to perhaps only relive the cycle over and over. It's not for everyone.

'BUSTER'S MAL HEART': Four Stars (Out of Five)

An indie mystery about a mentally unstable mountain man, and former family man, who now survives by breaking into empty vacation homes, while he constantly warns others (on talk radio) about an upcoming 'Inversion' at the change of the millennium. It was written and directed by Sarah Adina Smith, and it stars Rami Malek (in his first starring film role), Toby Huss, Kate Lyn Sheil and DJ Qualls. The movie had it's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it's received mostly positive reviews from critics. I found it to be bizarrely interesting, and for the most part pretty well made, but it also left things just a little too unexplained for my tastes.

The film opens with a mountain man, Buster (Malek), desperately trying to escape the authorities that are chasing him. He makes it to the top of a mountain, where the film then flashes back to his past as a family man, with a wife (Sheil) and daughter (Sukha Belle Potter). He also recollects on his time breaking into empty vacation homes, and calling into radio shows ranting about an upcoming 'Inversion' (at the turn of the millennium). Buster also has multiple visions of being lost at sea. As a viewer we have to interpret what's real, what isn't, and when and where it's all taking place.

The film is definitely bizarre and interesting, and I was always curious of where it was leading to. I think the acting is good in the film (especially Malek in the lead) and Smith is obviously a very talented filmmaker. I was just hoping for a little more from the conclusion. I don't need everything explained to me in a film, but I don't like everything to be left a question mark either. I'm sure some viewers will think they understand it, but I think most of the film is entirely left up to individual interpretation. If you like that type of movie you'll probably love it, I'm not a huge fan of the genre though.

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There are definitely different ways to approach this film. It can be darkly comic, but at its core, it's a tragedy with one actor at the center of it who is ready to give it his all. Malek has become a star due to his TV series, Mr. Robot, and here he gets an opportunity to shine even further. The lead character is a tricky one, balancing different story lines and timelines and personality traits while still having to be consistent in characterization. It's not hard to see why Malek was cast here. He has such a bubbling intensity and forceful acting style that comes across natural while leaving a lasting impression, and that's exactly what he does here.

Superb acting from all 3 main characters. The story just drags along. There's no real explanation of some of the events that take place. Sort of like a lower scale Lighthouse version.

One figures out soon that the main character is not right and is not at all surprised of the twist fifteen minutes prior to the film ending.

An ok movie, just lacked drive.