Sam the Man

I just saw this remarkable, quirky little film on the IFC.

I can understand how many gave it only one star. some people need lots of crude humor, or car crashes and buildings blowing up. What can you do?

This film is VERY understated. However, it's not boring. None of that Merchant Ivory, "molasses in winter" kind of pacing. If you give it a chance, it sucks you in and takes you on a wonderful little ride inside the protagonist's head.

Most indie film make me run for cover, but this is an exception, and an exceptional film, IMO.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

I viewed this film at the Hamptons Film Festival. I found it to be enjoyable and quite interesting. The ending is not predictable and is quite thought provoking.

It is the tale of a writer who seems to have a block in completing his second novel and in the mean time goes through a journey of self awareness.

I found Fisher Stevens, Sam Manning, to have finally found a character thought allowed him to stretch his skills. He is definitely an underused actor.

Sam Manning (Fisher Stevens) is desperately trying to write his next novel but is suffering a serious case of sophomore slump. He's getting nowhere, broke, and engaged to a patient and understanding photographer (Annabella Sciorra). The story is told using a mixture of Sam's day-to-day life, photographs, and Sam's commentary to an off-screen character. Sam's main character seems to be mimicking his life..or maybe it's the other way around...

If you watch this expecting to spend the movie snickering with Fisher Stevens as his usual, wise-cracking, joker (even in a non-comedy role) you will be surprised. There are very few wise-cracks and, don't let the poster fool you, it's not a romantic comedy.

It's a well-done telling of a guy who up to now had been The Man. Success, centre of attention, with the ability to hook women but now trying to pull himself together and failing miserably...or maybe he's not.

It's nice to see him in a starring role, so adjust your stereotypical expectations and you will enjoy it. Bonus if you catch a blink-and-you'll-miss-her walk-by from Mariska Hargitay.