Maldito cielo

Stumbled upon this movie by accident. Was absolutely floored by it. Nathan Silver and his team have achieved greatness. It possesses a unique and fully formed voice. Hard to believe that this is the first film I've seen from Silver. Shot beautifully, expertly acted and full of gorgeous emotion. At times it is hilarious. However, a strong emotional core pulses throughout. The home video aesthetic served the material incredibly well. The rhythm is wild yet gripping, leading you towards a perfect end. Highly recommended. This picture is one of my all time favorite films. I cannot wait to see what this team does next.

-Andrew

Director Nathan Silver has created a remarkable cinematic achievement with this film. It's a tight intense comedic drama that explores interpersonal relations and examines different characters places within a group dynamic. The entire cast gives wonderful performances that transcends conventional dramatic linearity and instead express deeper aspects of existence. The film functions as a mirror or a window through which the spectator can see deeper truths regarding group harmony versus individual distress and the performative sides to different forms of living ones life.

The cinematography works great in how it explores and disseminates individuals as well as the collective relationships and the performances from the actors, who are phenomenal over all. The use of music works really great as well.

Nathan Silver has created something really special with this form of artistic expression. Especially in how he manages to infuse the tragedy of this particular commune with loads of humour, all while maintaining a mood that's both lucid and surreal at the same time. He's without a doubt one of the most interesting directors working in American cinema today. I sense that he has the possibility to make a veritable masterpiece in his future.

It's funny when you come across a film this good with such a low imdb rating. Saw this film at a Mezzanine screening a little while back, q&a with Nathan, moderated by Jonathan Lethem. Was taken completely off guard by it in the most pleasant way. Not exactly sure why I'm leaving this review other than the fact that it feels totally disrespectful and misunderstood to have such a low rating here. Never mind any newfound relevancy of the cast (as amazing and talented as they are, and as much as they make the film what it is...), the film stands on its own as a masterpiece. If you're a fan of Cassavetes or the Dogma 95 films you will likely love and respect this film. At the very least it will jibe.

Bunch of sick people thinking they are on some healing path but only getting sicker

This film assaulted my senses in an unpleasant way. Obnoxious noises, nausea inducing visuals, could almost smell the characters.

I didn't enjoy watching this. I didn't get anything positive out of the experience. I'm not going to pretend to see the point of this film. I've basically already forgotten it.

I was quite sleepy while watching which didn't help. It was like an awful sickly fever dream. Just gross and nasty and un-fun.