Fabled

Why is this movie still not available on video.

I saw this movie during the Austin Film Festival in 2002. Here it is three years later. What is going on? I didn't think it was that bad enough to get shelved. Actually, it was one of the better movies at the festival.

I guess with no real stars in it, and nothing shocking, it slipped through the grate. Perhaps the filmmakers should have had more killing, or sex, it certainly had enough profanity.

Too bad. Maybe it will make it's way to late night cable. That's really where it would play best. Late night mind fu**. Sometimes you find gems on late night TV.

It's a shame that this fizzled out without even being given a chance, especially when there is so much crap out there getting every chance millions of dollars can buy.

There is a certain bias when it comes to foreign films in America. American critics cut foreign films more slack. If you have a film in French and it has no discernible plot and is very interpretive, then it is considered artistic, abstract and everything was intentional.

Now if an American made the same film in English, then that film is labeled vague, meandering, and the filmmakers were unable to make it complex, especially without being pretentious.

It is a double standard.

Don't believe me? Okay, how about this. Take Hero - Make it in English, with Bruce Willis instead of Jet Li and have it take place in the old west, but otherwise the exact same film. In fact, let the same director direct it, but change his name to Frank Walker instead of Yimou Zhang.

Critics will hate it. Yet, it has just as much story and just as good, if not better performances, since Bruce Willis is probably a better actor than Jet Li.

Why would they hate it? It wasn't in Chinese, about Chinese history, starring Chinese actors and made by Chinese filmmakers.

Lost in translation -

I watched Fabled and I couldn't help feel that it was very European at heart. If you compare this to I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, you'll find Fabled is the stronger of the two, yet that Mike Hodges film is considered great film-making, and the critics found this arrogant and not successful.

Another glaring double standard is symbolism. In Europe and perhaps the rest of the world, symbolism is smart film-making. In the United States it's always looked upon as one, unnecessary and two, as the filmmaker thinking he/she is being clever when they clearly aren't.

It all comes down to expectations. This isn't Memento, nor is it the Grudge.

Come on people, the movie is called Fabled. If you go into it not expecting symbolism and a references to a fable, then go watch Boogeyman.

If you like to think at the movies, at least more than about why did this cost so much, then spend some time with Fabled.

PS. Don't listen to those who say it is only worth one viewing. While there are no twists, there is plenty going on for another go. If only for understanding the voice over alone it is worth that second try.

Fabled is an excellent debut film by newcomer Kirshenbaum. The plot is not very complex, but everything else seems to have been very well thought out. A lot of attention seemed to go in to the performances and subtleties.

Visually, it is striking for a small indie pic. Desmond, who I've only seen in Go, was great as the lead.

I like the way a lot was left up to interpretation. This is not a film for the intellectually challenged. If you're not paying attention you'll miss a lot of the little details, which are what makes this movie a cut above most.

The movie has great atmosphere and mood. I can't wait to see what this writer/director does next.

I had an ex-boyfriend who was about as jealous and paranoid as the guy in this movie. He didn't go kill anyone, but he was just as obsessive. So this really rang a bell with me. Unfortunately, it also made me hate the character. Still a good film. Be better for a rental than paying full theater price.

Looking at the credits, I don't remember some of these characters. Was there a lot left on the cutting room floor, or did I miss it when I went to the bathroom?

I give it a 10 for effort and about an 8 for results. 2 points off for hitting too close to my home.

Fabled is basically the Machinist minus Batman, minus a pretty well known director, minus the writer for Texas Chainsaw Redux, minus the main star's weight loss stunt (which was pretty freaky looking) and everything that millions of dollars of a budget brings.

That is what you are left with. Not much.

You also don't get a crappy ending like Machinist and all the ego.

At least this one didn't attempt to wrap the whole thing up like some 40 year old episode of the Twilight Zone.

Fabled was a nice try. That should be it's tag line. The filmmakers did a lot with what they had, but in the end I'd rather watch the version that had better production values and actors and that's the Machinist.

If it's gonna be a slow ride, it better be a pretty one.