theman-24

Spike's new joint is probably his most ambitious project to date. The film journeys into unfamiliar territory for Lee, an Italian American neighborhood in the Bronx during the summer of 1977. The film tackles a plethora of subjects that most filmmakers are just too scared to go near. The main character, a hair dresser named Vinny, played by Leguizamo, is a very interesting mix of old prejudices and beliefs at odds with a basically sensitive (but totally confused) personality. He is the middleman, torn between loyalty and fascination with his childhood buddy, Ritchie (who is the punk rocker/misfit on the street), and the group-think of the racist and boorish guidos in the neighborhood. That conflict, combined with his Madonna-whore complex and all the complications that it create within his marriage, make him a particularly interesting character. His sexual issues are not specific within his ethnic culture, but are ones that are prevalent throughout American society. Lee's sex scenes were done with a realistic tone. He wasn't trying to create some sort of magical ambiance, he was displaying the beast with all its warts. His intention wasn't to create soft porn that is so rife within film of the day. So many otherwise noteworthy directors feel like they have to give their sex scenes a "touch of class". Lee, admirably, shows it for what it is, a down and dirty, instinctual behavior that is corrupted when outdated religious beliefs and social mores enter into the picture. Ritchie is portrayed correctly as the liberated punk who has risen above the neighborhood intolerance (with a notable backslide in one scene). The fact that Ritchee listens to The Who does not suggest that the punk scene of the time was poorly researched by Lee. If one were to peruse the influences of many of the punk icons from that era, the resulting discovery would be that many rock and roll acts not typically associated with punk rock weighed in heavily as influences within the scene (check out some of the reverential covers of sixtees rock and rollers put out by renown punk acts of that era - e.g. THE RAMONES' Acid Eaters, etc.). Ritchie was a well thought out character. One could only wish that he figured more predominantly in the film.

Vinny and Ritchie alone make the movie. They are fresh visions of Italian Americans - contrary to the suffocating body of film that has chosen to focus almost exclusively on this particular ethnic group as mobsters and thugs (which runs contrary to the assertions that this film is nothing but a stereotyping piece of trash). The attacks on this film for stereotyping are thin. Spike Lee holds forth ugly realities, and some just aren't prepared to accept them.

In response to the criticism of Lee being sloppy with lighting and editing I say this: don't be so anal retentive. Spike Lee has a unique, creative visual style that on the whole works. No one is completely original, we all work within a framework of experience. He is not just imitating his mentor and hero Scorcese, but creating a film language that is fresh and engaging. Just because he makes mistakes should not diminish the fact that he is one of the more daring and resourceful directors out there. Lee is an iconoclast whose works will remain important long after some of his more squeamish (and pretentious) peers fade into obscurity. Time will vanquish Lee's prudish and narrowminded critics as puritanical snobs and Lee will be remembered as a forward thinking social commentator who bravely wrestled with the issues of ethnicity and sex within a complex American society.

This film exhibits Almodovar's true comic genius like no other. It will leave you reeling, and wanting to run about the streets naked while you howl with manic glee. It is truly a maddeningly funny comedy that goes way beyond risque (nothing is taboo in this lunatic-romp). It is so original that you may have trouble excepting its anything goes mind-set at first. The film's madcap style, characters and situations are akin to nothing I've ever seen. You've got to check this one out!