The Protagonists

A film about people making a film about a senseless murder sounds complicated, but it isn't. Using documentary and fantasy sequences along with the basic premise, it just works. The editing and cinematography create a visual treat that challenges you with great reward, the soundtrack complements the visuals so well and Tilda is her usual perfect self. The story is heartbreaking and handled with complete respect and honour for the man and his family. If you think The Princess Bride is the best film ever you won't like it, but then you don't deserve something as interesting and beautiful as this. I admit, it made me cry.

There is no point in going to see this movie, if one could consider this a movie. It was more like a documentary but threw in mini-plots which had nothing to do with the rest of the film. I gave this movie a 1 because that was the lowest I could give. If there were negative numbers to give it, I would. I went to a free screening of this movie and it was not worth the money I paid.

I think the 5-minute-long intro song gives a clue as to the time you would waste watching this movie. It's disjointed, awkward, and dull. I enjoy Tilda Swinton's acting in all of it's quirky glory; however, in this movie, it doesn't even feel like she's acting. It's more like "Tilda Swinton plays Tilda Swinton in a boring, poorly made documentary." I generally enjoy odd quirky films, but this one doesn't accomplish anything interesting. I think I know what the director is trying to convey (the juxtaposition of the banality and horror of murder) but it's done in such a clumsy way. It doesn't hold my attention. I say this as a person with a long attention span for documentaries and films.

The short version of this review is: don't bother.

This movie marked the feature film directorial debut of Luca Guadagnino and it was an interesting experience.

Positives for The Protagonist (1999): This was a a very unique film in that it is about an Italian film crew recreating the real life killings of a person. Tilda Swinton does a great job as the main actress of this crew. The way how this film crew reconstructs this killing is very unique. And finally, there are some unique and stylish choices being made with the editing and colors being used in the movie.

Negatives for The Protagonist (1999): This is one of those style over substance movies where the movie's style is taking over the story of the movie. This is also a movie that I wouldn't go back and rewatch.

Overall, The Protagonists (1999) was a unique and interesting viewing experience especially for the directorial debut of Luca Guadagnino.

A documentary? A docudrama? A music video? Whatever it was, it seems to have run about an hour too long. There is apparently a true story underneath the singing and moody driving-around-at-night visuals, but it failed to fight its way to the surface. And I don't know what to make of this silly culprits-who-cannot-by-law-be-named thing, as the info is out there in the free press: Jamie Petrolini and Richard Elsey. But this watch-us-make-the-story-of-the-story-and-hey-doesn't-this-singer-look-cool-and-the-audience-is-swaying-to-her-singing stuff?

Dude, just because you had a new idea doesn't mean you had a *good* idea. Two thumbs down.