Mysteria

This is one of those movies not so easy to warm to, as is evidenced by the polarized reviews here. But I found as I got more accustomed to the quirky pacing and flashback/flash forward style I liked Mysteria more and more until it became as they say compulsively watchable. It's difficult to categorize Mysteria: the closest to a broad brushstroke description would be neo-noir, but more specifically it's a kind of existential retro-thriller parody, with lots of B movie overtones, which I suppose is a more circuitous way of saying neo-noir. The story takes place in a Los Angeles-like environ in a frozen, late 80s (or thereabouts) gestalt, but it's all a little vague.

To some extent Mysteria has to be catnip to fans of noir, and of course several noir films are specifically mentioned, including The Killing, the choppy, nonlinear style of which Mysteria mimics. Other films that are referenced, either by design or no, include Dead of Night, and more recently, Usual Suspects, Memento, and especially Mulholland Drive.

Mysteria is well-cast. The familiar names – Landau, Zane, and Glover – have what amount to little more than extended cameos. But it's Robert Miano's movie and he's perfect for the role: he essays the confused, unkempt, unshaven, needing-a-shower, always late, always-smoking-a-cigarette hero in in eminently underplayed style and somehow it works perfectly.

Mysteria pulls out about every neo-noir trope in the book: along with the murky look and labyrinthine plot we have near-caricatures of the sleazy private eye and especially the down-on-his-luck screenwriter (is there any other kind?). Aleister Bain is a gin-swilling, chain smoking, disheveled, onetime success who lives in a low class hotel where he can't pay his rent, and of course he has writer's block. A bright spot in his life is a beautiful blonde film student (played by Meadow Williams) who's his biggest fan and a kind of Gal Friday wannabe.

Ultimately the story leaves quite a bit unresolved, to say the least. And I like that. Maybe I'm just easy to please but I give this one a solid seven stars.

the movie actually sucks big time. If you want to watch a film noir, find Gotham, with Tommy Lee Jones. It's just as strange but actually is good. This had no script, bad acting, bad music, bad everything. It was totally a waste of our time so don't waste yours to rent it. If I could get the $1.00 back, I would. My husband said he couldn't wait to get this DVD out of the house in case someone would think it's the kind of movie we would watch.

We actually thought with the quality of some of the actors it would redeem itself if we kept watching it. About every 10 minutes we would look at each other as if to see who would turn it off first. the ending, WHAT ending. Did I mention this movie sucks big time?

I can imagine that the viewers rate this movie low because of the unanswered questions at the final. Though, for me there are not any unanswered questions and even if you can find the ending very simple you watch the movie without getting bored but with whole interest until the end. One viewer commented that its very similar to Mulholland Drive. Thanks , and congratulations , that's a very correct determination. The movie is about a Hollywood scenarist who want to complete his last script under deadline pressure and a murder investigation around him which inspires him for his script . The acting, the cast and roles are very good and the atmosphere of the movie is simply fantastic. It's a very nice cocktail of suspense and provocation of mind . It's a low budged movie which most strong part is the scenario and i think it reaches the target. Sometimes we all mess up with reality , imagination and our dreams. What's wrong when we get inspired and turn this into a story ? Don't we dream this sometimes? Surely we do..I advice to watch this movie..If you are a movie fan you fill find for sure the taste of a nice movie in it. If you only watch movies occasionally and are interested only for the ending instead of the " taste " maybe you could be disappointed. At any case it deserves a considerable positive rating..

I felt compelled to keep on watching this movie to see if something was going to happen. Unfortunately, nothing really happens, it really is the worst movie I have ever seen, it was a total waste of 90 minutes of my life. I will never get that 90 minutes back.

I do not know how anyone could possibly give this movie a positive rating. It was totally mind numbing!

I will not give any spoilers to the movie or mention the plot. The plot may seem clever, but is incomplete.

Mysteria seems like half a movie, and is extremely slow moving. It could have been highly edited leaving most of the tape on the floor, and adding an ending.

Perhaps the production company ran out of money when making Mysteria and left in the 90 minutes of content to recuperate some revenue.

I do not know of anyone that I would recommend this to.

I rented this movie from the video store because I noticed Danny Glover was in it. I picked it up trusting I would not be disappointed. It also introduced me to the lovely Meadow Williams. Had I ignored this movie I might not have been made aware of her.

This movie will not "entertain" people in the way most desire a movie to do. It will make you think, then it will make you wonder, "What the heck just happened? What is going on?" About twenty minutes into the movie you won't be certain if you are watching a movie, or a dream.

There were some things that struck me funny. The cab numbered 666 made me smile. Pay attention to the conversation inside the cab.

Then there is the suggestion our main character was murdered, but then we see him at the police station answering questions. Oh, and look for the watch that always shows midnight.

You will encounter a cop that accepts a drink while on duty, and a woman who pays the main characters rent which makes him a main suspect in her murder.

I think once in awhile everyone should watch a movie like this instead of the usual fare that always leaves you with a clear explanation and a nicely wrapped up ending.

In fact, I am chuckling as I write these words knowing someone who watches this movie is going to let out a yell in disgust at the ending. I can almost hear them saying, "That's it? That's the ending? What the hell kind of movie was that?" I actually laughed at the ending knowing it will mess with some people's minds. You might not laugh when its over, but I guarantee it will stir your gray matter.

You need to have a sense of humor and a penchant for mystery to enjoy this movie. If not, don't bother with it.