Man in the Chair

A few weeks ago a friend mine called me and told that I had to watch a film called Man in the Chair on the Sundance Channel. He said that Christopher Plummer was in it, and that was good enough for me.

I had no idea that I was about to experience a film of absolute beauty. The writing, directing, acting, etc are beyond praise.

Plummer expertly plays a film gaffer who has not worked since 1968 and becomes involved with a young man attempting to make a student film to enter a competition for a film school scholarship. What ensues is a film about true friendship, elder abuse, animal neglect, and the raising of the human spirit.

All of the actors are superb, but special mention must be made of M. Emmet Walsh's performance of a writer who has not worked in decades. Perfection.

Actually, perfection sums up this film.

Thanks to all involved, especially writer/director Michael Schroeder, for this gift of a film.

Michael Schroeder's new movie should have taken him out of B-movie obscurity. The director of the two "Cyborg" sequels has finally grasped some serious material, but unfortunately he hasn't let go of the cheese from his previous films.

The story trails lonesome, alienated Michael- a movie buff who wants to win a film scholarship, which is available through a student video competition. His torrid home life and nonexistent social life start to weigh down his dream of becoming a filmmaker. By chance, he meets a cranky old man named Flash (played very well by Christopher Plummer) who has connections to Orson Welles and the golden age of cinema.

"The Man in the Chair" begins with a montage featuring some Tony Scott-type mock handcrank shots. It's a questionably flashy beginning, but it creates a serious tone that allows you to take it seriously. This tone is betrayed immediately when Michael is introduced. He is bullied in an unrealistic, Nickelodeon-worthy fashion. What is particularly jarring is when he jumps on top of the bully's car with his bicycle (!?). Immediately, the movie turns into an artificial and inept after school special.

As a result, much is wasted. The cinematography by experienced Hollywood camera operator Dana Gonzales is absolutely beautiful, but the handcrank shots (added as reference to classic cinema) become distracting and irritating. However, there is crisp lighting and some impressively done sequences. Great performances by Plummer, Mitch Pileggi and M. Emmet Walsh are marred by the campiness of the screenplay. This is an unfortunate movie that didn't deserve any of the talent it attracted.

The real problem with "Man in the Chair" is its utter lack of credibility. This is an optimistic story that is full of good cheer, but it tries to get by on its likability alone. Truly important details, like believability and honesty are half-attempted. The development of Michael consists of platitudinous and insincere movie references. Michael is a cardboard "cinephile" with no depth, just a poorly developed passion. One character gets into trouble with the law, but this is shown with very little long-run consequence. The movie tries to avoid clichés that would be seen as "too Hollywood" to the point that it feels like a self-conscious Hollywood movie. The lack of honesty is not only appalling, it is embarrassing.

The clichés don't stop. The generation-gap jokes between Flash and Michael are tired and mostly unfunny. Also, there is far too much similarity to "Finding Forrester" to acknowledge this movie as even marginally original. There are countless plot conveniences filled with poorly thought out logic. Schroeder skims on plot details, making the movie lose respectability with every scene.

This is a feel good movie that seems to be aimed at idiots. Schroeder's film may have been passable as a mid-90's Disney movie, (minus some useless foul language inserted for a "hard edge") but he doesn't realize that American audiences have moved on from absolute characters and feel-good clichés. Unfortunately, Schroeder hasn't left his B-movie tendencies behind. Maybe he should stick to the straight to video shelf.

Just got a chance to see this at the Heartland Film Festival. This is a wonderful film. You can read the synopsis for more detailed account of the movie, but for me, it's a reminder to live life together. Plummer's character is a gruff old gaffer that hasn't had many friends and lives in his former glory. But now near the end of his life, he meets a kid that wants to learn about how to shoot a film. At first, he's resistant, but eventually warms up to the idea and then enlists the help of many other former craftsmen in the field. It's a touching story. Plummer is awesome in the film. There are some effects that get a little jarring after a while, but don't detract from the film overall. It feels a bit like Finding Forrester at times, but hey, all the great story's have been done, and this is an awesome variation on that theme. A definite must see...especially film buffs.

This is an incredible film. Please let every one know, especially if you're in the industry, what an incredible performer Christopher Plummer is. He provides an Oscar quality performance. M. Emmet Walsh is also outstanding.

Americans in general, and Hollywood in specific have been reluctant to vocalize the challenges of aging in our society. It was wonderful to see this issue handled in such a positive fashion. The supporting cast more than compliments this picture and demonstrates the existing talent in Hollywood's elderly community.

Highly recommended.

Hello, I saw your movie a few weeks ago at the Kent Film Festival in Kent, CT, and I can't stop raving about it. No kidding, it is up there as probably one of the best films I have ever seen. I am wondering why it has not become a major box office hit, and why it is not "out there" in circulation. I believe in the power of film to change the world, and the message in this film for young and the aging alike was powerful. Please tell me how I can go about getting a copy of this so I can share with with others. Bravo!! I am guessing that Christopher Plummer will be nominated for an academy award. He certainly deserves it. I cannot wait to see this film at the box office. Susan Hackel