L.A. Without a Map

Although the box may have JOHNNY DEPP & VINCENT GALLO in big letters, both actors play minor parts. Some very magical Depp cameo moments. Gallo is amazing and funny as hell the whole time he's on film. Any fan of his will definately want to see this. There's also a main love story that tries desperately to be charming but just ends up boring and lame. (I already know L.A. is fake--I just wanna hear more philosophy from Vincent Gallo.) This movie is supposedly hard to find. Maybe you can get a pirated copy.

I saw this film at the Brussels International Film Festival. The Finnish director, Mika Kaurismäki, participated also in this "special screening". The film is a nice, delightful love story. There's this Scottish boy who falls in love with a girl who comes from Los Angeles. Eventually, the boy follows her to the City of Angels.

Half comedy, half romance. A nice film.

***/*****

LA without a map was for me, the high point of this year's Singapore Film Festival (99). This modern day fairy-tale may come across as 'clich-ed' to some - especially the last bit - but it made a nice and interestingly pure change to the 'my ship is bigger than yours' crazy budget films out there right now. It's a raw and engaging film that puts a certain warmth in your heart when you leave the cinema. It's about love, dreams, loss, the fragility of life (and love) and it can be damn funny when it wants to be... the acting ain't bad either. :) Vinessa Shaw looks set to be the next big thing.

I realize that I should not comment on other peoples comments, but sometimes it just p***es me of how low the rating is.

L.A. Without a Map is not really a "romantic comedy" a la Meg Ryan/Sandra Bullock, but it IS very romantic and sometimes funny and sad. The main character is a pretty strange man, and the female character is far from being "a good girl". I would catalogize it as Tragic comedy/Drama. This movie is probably an example of how "non-standard" films are unpopular with many people. DO NOT watch this movie if you like Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The lighting here is dark and realistic almost like a documentary at times. The characters are real characters with depth. Tennant and Shaw are great. Unlike a "romantic comedy" the ending is not retarded and predictable. Tennant is the last person you would expect as the "hero" of a "romantic comedy". He gives the movie depth and realism. All characters of the move are actually anti-heroes. The movie is still funny and positive and deeply human.

This movie is worth seeing.......Vincent Gallo is hilarious. If you don't need a lot of action, if dialogue satisfies you then this movie will suit your taste. Bizarre, quirky, if you liked Swingers, Go, Very Bad Things...L.A without a Map, will be a favorite of yours.