(Untitled)

We saw this at the 2009 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Adam Goldberg plays a composer whose music is as far from commercial or accessible as possible. His brother is a very commercially successful artist who longs for recognition by the art community. They are both attracted to Madeleine, the beautiful and smart owner of an art gallery, who understands the difference between the artistic and commercial worlds in both art and music. The two brothers use Madeleine as the pivot of their balance, as each tries to achieve what they desire - commercial success for one and artistic appreciation for the other. Set in the heart of the art scene in New York, this film has the ring of truth - from the artist with Asperger' who labors over where to hang his work (a single pushpin placed on a blank wall), to the rich, clueless art collector who buys work he doesn't understand and doesn't enjoy - merely because his spreadsheet says it's underpriced. The characters are portrayed with compassion - the director has thankfully resisted the temptation to turn them into easy caricatures. Highly recommended, especially if the viewer has an interest in the modern art or music scene.

I hate starting a review by saying "this was a great concept, and I wished they'd done more with it," but I can't get away from thinking that. At times, it's a scathing and almost brilliant satire of modern art (and the patrons that drive it), but at some point it loses its way a bit, and potentially becomes a film that could be the subject of a satire about film satire.

I did love the contrast of Adrian-Josh... brothers who each long for recognition while being as polar opposite as two people can be... and appreciated the connection of both to Madeleine. But her attraction to Adrian was hard to fathom, and it's killer important to the story. (Perhaps toning down Adrian's arrogant sullenness, and the cringe-worthiness of his music a bit would have made his story and relationship with Madeleine more watchable?). And I admittedly loved the "art collector" who neither loves nor understands art, but sees it only as an investment and a write-off. Probably brutally on point (as was the pompous industrial artist ultimately done in by his own work).

In short... a visceral slap at the modern art scene... released in 2009 and now a timely watch in a year that gave us "The Menu" and "Triangle of Sadness," two new films that similarly skewer those with wealth and... ugh, "taste."

A Smart Movie that is Insightful and Entertaining as it Satirises the Avant-Garde Art World. Not a Fresh Idea to be sure but an always Welcome Debate about "Yes, but is it Art?". That Conundrum seems to be Forever with Us and it never really has an Easy Answer and it shouldn't because it is Purely Rhetorical.

Trying to Answer that Question is like trying to Answer "Why are we here?" or "What is the Meaning of life?" It is a Labyrinth of a Quest to attempt such Profound Inquiries.

Director Jonathan Parker is Articulate and Funny as He Dumbs Down the Dumb Work of these Creators and Their Creations and is Empathetic and enjoys Poking Fun at what He Loves. His Own Film Straddles the Line between Commercially Viable and Free Expression. A sort of a Combination of the Two on-screen Brothers.

Adam Goldberg as a Sound Artist that says "Harmony was a Capitalist plot to sell pianos.", and His Brother Aaron Bailey as a Painter who has Not Really Sold Out but His Paintings Do, to Corporations and Hotels.

The Film includes many Arty Characters that give this thing Pizazz. Marley Shelton as the Gallery Owner that is very Comfortable in Her own Fake Skin of a Noise inducing Wardrobe of Vinyl and Ruffles. Her Audible Attire attracts the Noise Conscious Sound Artist for a Romantic Interlude, but that is hardly the Story here.

There Hardly is a Story here but what is here is a parade of Amusing and Egotistical Artists that are Lively and Loving every minute of Their Expressionism. Just like the Creators of this Engaging Entry Into a very Weird World. The Movie is Not for All Tastes but that is the Point.

An hilarious, critical and yet respectful view of modern art, "(Untitled)" is an indie film that takes on the contemporary music and visual art scene of New York.

Adam Goldberg is perfectly cast as Adrian, a slightly neurotic but completely out-there "musician". First to his detriment, but then more to his success, his brother Josh (Eion Bailey) introduces him to Madeleine (Marley Shelton), an art gallery owner who is against the commercial stream but can find the next big thing. Josh is the only remotely down-to-Earth character, but even his art looks like blobs of colour on a canvas--to the untrained eye like mine. The "music" that takes over the film is what people like me would call noise, but people like Adrian would call a true artistic expression of the human condition.

It is less accessible than "Art School Confidential" (2006), but just as funny and more focused on the indie art scene. Like one of the artists in the film, I think the film is trying to say nothing and everything at the same time, and just like modern art can be, "(Untitled)" is just plain weird.

For those with a knowledge of 20th century modern,and post modern art, this film is for you (and even if you know little about the above mentioned subject matter,this film is also for you---if you have an open mind to give it a chance). (Untitled)is a wry,sly,droll,tongue in cheek comedy about the art world & how art is/can be conceived. Adam Goldberg is Adrian Jacob,a composer who is a little too tightly wound for his own good (he almost always seems to be a walking bundle of seething rage that is threatening to explode at any moment). His music is generally atonal,harsh noise that most folk either walk out on (as evidence in the film's opening,which takes place at a sparsely attended concert of his work at a performance space in New York City,where the story takes place),or outright laugh at. His brother,Josh (played by Eion Bailey)is a successful artist. Both are attracted to Madeleine Gray (played by Marley Shelton),the owner of an uptown,posh art gallery that specializes in modern & post modern (conceptual)art that most folk regard as b.s. Jonathan Parker directs this breezy little comedy from a screenplay written by Parker & Catherine DiNapoli. Perhaps not a perfect film,but worth seeking out for those with interests that include new music (read that as experimental/noise/Avant Garde),Dadaist art (it makes sly,albeit submerged nods to the Fluxus art movement of the late 1950's/early 1960's),and gleefully thumbs it's nose at other denizens of the uptown & downtown art scenes in New York. Anybody who is/was a fan of either of the bands Luna or Galaxie 500,keep your eyes open for a cameo by Dean Wareham,who has a brief role as an art critic at one of Adrian's performances. My personal click to pick was a plum role by Lucy Punch,who is just credited as 'The Clarinet'(a fellow musician who played bass clarinet in Adrian's ensemble),but deserved far better. Rated 'R' by the MPAA for a rude word or two,some brief nudity,some rather tame sexual content & the view of a piece of art that can be regarded by some as pornographic.