Bombay Beach

This documentary has a lot going for it. Beautiful cinematography. Morbidly interesting subject matter. Something of a story line. Curious characters. And the Salton Sea itself-I have seen this on maps since I was in the 7th and wondered what kind of people live there. But I couldn't decide if it was simply a documentary filmmaker filming real life as it occurred or if it was a scripted story, forced to tell the story the filmmaker wanted us to see. The dance and soundtrack sequences had to be almost certainly staged. Some of the conversations had to be staged. I rated this film 8 out of 10 anyway, because if it wasn't always real life, I believed I could see real life just behind a very transparent curtain.

Should a piece of film stand on its own merits or is it okay to be informed by the intentions of the film maker? In this case, I recommend that viewers read the interview of director Alma Har'el by philconcannon which can be found on a message board.

This film is not a documentary. It is not a drama. It is, indeed, part musical because some sequences are choreographed. But director Har'el advises that she wants to transcend genres. The result is a hybrid form that must be analyzed to be understood.

The film centers on three individuals who actually exist. They live near the Salton Sea--a decaying area that is part desert wasteland and part deteriorating infrastructure. Those who live in this isolated and forgotten area might be considered detritus that has washed up on the beach.

However, a society does exist there and many of the individuals make the most of their unfortunate circumstances. One character, Red, is an elderly gentleman who says he enjoys life, but seems to spend much of his time smoking and dealing cigarettes. Cedric is a black teen who relocated from LA out of desperation, trying to escape urban violence. Benny is a young boy who deals with mental imbalances and the debilitating effects of the drugs he takes to combat them.

Some have suggested that the film is a condemnation of the American Dream. On the contrary, the film celebrates those who endure hardships and still dream. Cedric has aspirations for the NFL. Benny wants to be a fireman. Har'el uses their comments as voice overs, giving the film a philosophical tone.

The end result is a sometimes sad, sometimes hopeful portrayal of an area. A slice of life. And a frank look at a world populated by misfits and survivors. In the credits, director Har'el gives a nod to the "surreal and beautiful Bombay Beach", providing a clue to her feelings.

Once a saline oasis for the Californian elite, Bombay Beach is one of a number of former resort towns dotted around the inland Salton Sea, fashioned in 1905 when heavy rainfall caused the Colorado River to breach its banks. Fish were first introduced in the 1930s, and by the 1950s the tourist trade was booming; Sinatra would perform in the area and Eisenhower would also make an appearance. By 1970 however, the former hotspot was deserted. Rising water levels had destroyed much of the infrastructure, and further investment dried up entirely. Har'el's 'Bombay Beach' explores what is left of the town, a refuge for the lost, the senile and the sick. And yet, in their desire to escape the reality of that where they have come, Bombay Beach recoups its image as a destination of choice, of value - it may not offer much, but its inhabitants seek the solace and contemplation its isolation offers.

If you have a creative bone in your body then see this film. I took a chance and was astounded at how good this work of art is. Everything Gummo was not this beauty is. The subjects are interesting enough on their own but the subject matter and characters are not the center piece but how she creates astounding scenes using the subjects in creative ways to weave a larger story just blew me away. A little boy struggling with the effects of multiple behavioral medications suddenly falls into a dreamlike trance and becomes a fireman riding a giant fire truck. A little boy and girl act out going on a date before dumping water all over each other in hilarious laughter. Two teenagers in love suddenly put on theatrical masks and dance together in slow and sensual synchronization. One minute an old man is comatose and near death on a gurney in the ER and the next he is racing in the desert on his ATV, which I think actually happened. It is the juxtaposition of the stark reality of their poverty and problems with their dreams that so pleasantly surprises. As great as the writing and editing is the sum total of the parts work together to create a film that takes you on a magical mystery tour through this desert community near the Salton Sea. Simply phenomenal and hopefully the first of many.

The complexity of the characters performed in a minimalist way was very refreshing. How naked and honest the emotions of this film evoke in me is a priceless feeling that I cherish every so often I get the chance now days. The duality of emotional contrasts is very present in each character vividly. I feel in love with the little boy with a BIG LIFE and how he just wants normalcy, also his tired, worn down mother who is uneducated, unfit (at times), and strong in the same respect. I think that Alma projected each story line in a concise and efficient way that can be felt by a skeleton. The old man is a great well deserved lull or break from the emotional content and serves as a sort of narrator of the spirit of the film and the meaning that I personally got, being resilient through life and also loving life as it happens. Sometimes the camera work was shaky (i personally get motion sickness easily) but overall It was an exceptional work of art, also a very human, organic piece of art. It left me hoping the best for every character, and that is a great ability; to make people feel human, emotions, and love. PS. i gave it a 10 because it is better than the 6.7 rating it has at the current time PSS. shotout to Carson Daily for putting a spotlight on a great work of art, even though universal picked up the film and universal produces his show, I appreciate this movie.