The Happy Poet

This movie is hilarious. I like how the tension is amplified with just a few notes on the piano, like in Eyes Wide Shut. I got the movie because of the title and the picture on the cover. I think it was filmed in Houston. It didn't disappoint even though I never heard of the director or the actors. I'm not an indie fan because movie critics have steered me wrong. The main character is played by the director who, as the main character, says that he would like to get a loan so that he can open up a hot dog stand and sell healthy food instead of hot dogs. The food looks delicious. He has a masters degree in creative writing so someone suggests that he could call his stand The Happy Poet to block out the huge picture of a hot dog. Some of the scenes are with real people and not actors which lends to the realism of the script. There is a liking in how the poet has an open trust in people but is used by them for their own self gain. The ending kind of ticked me off because there is no humor in corporations or conglomerates. A second viewing is helpful because of the irony, especially when he reads one of his poems.

This is one of those little films that makes life bearable, like; Austin,TX, Lake Travis afternoons and a cold beer on a Summer day.

The premise of the film is straight forward with the story as old as any Greek morality play-- the central characters are "people you know" in your personal life, staged in a familiar setting(any street America)these are the reasons the film works.

The script, character development and direction could use some tweaking; the audience gets to "know" the characters but because there is so little back story on them it is hard to develop much empathy which is frustrating.

The direction could be tighter but I can understand why and where the director *may* have made the decision not to corral his actor's movements or why much thought was given to "blocking".

On the other paw..the film entertains, informs and its resolution climaxes well. Go see it-rent it now.

I saw the movie before two days in the festival of Thessaloniki. It has good performances , good actors. The plot was quick so during the film you will not get bored at all.The plot has some meanings also. You don't get use to watch movies with organic foods.In the beginning of the movie the first 10-15 minutes are a little confusing(not many action on the story) but later just getting better minute after minute. To tell the truth i was not expecting this movie to be good.. I think that Paul Gordon's and Liz Fisher's performances especially were very promised . The movie is a comedy and i can tell that it's a good one. I think that you cant get any better from a low budget movie!