Romantic Weirdos and the Land of Oddz

There are few questions deeper than, "What is the meaning of life?" And to this reviewer, even fewer movies attempting to answer it, particularly through the growing pains of four dysfunctional children. It's the first question one of these youngsters, (John), asks at the start of 'Romantic Weirdos,' just before he's knocked over in a car crash, leaving him crippled and confined to a wheelchair.

No spoilers here, but the film's director, the late Joe Perry, uses his film-making craft to take you on the growing boy's journey in life, through the streets of Hollywood. The movie is often dark and sometimes off putting, strewn with political American history, nuclear threats and the drug-fuelled parents of these outsiders whose ruins of lives are spinning out of control.

Shining throughout 'Romantic Weirdos' is actor Keith Stahle who plays the grown-up John, still constrained by both his wheelchair, and neurological 'Dr. Strangelove' issues, infecting his brain from boyhood.

The first time I watched 'RW' I was mesmerized, but slightly bemused.

But the film kept niggling in my own brain to watch it again. I am very glad I did.

Romantic Weirdos is an intimate journey into the lives of four emotionally damaged outcasts. Pariahs in their communities each doesn't grow up as they feel utterly alone until their paths cross in the merry old Land of Oddz.

As the stars align over their meeting, the misfits embark on a journey through Hollywood Land, compelled to question traditional ideologies, and determined to challenge Hollywood's materialistic hype and quasi-religious worship of celebrity. However courageously dedicated to the crusade, every man's journey ultimately leads inward to uncover overlooked truths from the past and find purpose and meaning in life.

Fueled by individual resolve and their newly found friendship, these four unlikely friends take an emotional roller coaster of self-discovery through the heart of Hollywood. But are they strong enough to withstand shocking revelations that may leave one of them behind?

Thus is a powerful and utterly unique experimental art film. You'll never see anything quite like it. There's no place like Hollywood. Master story teller Joe Perry offers a fascinating and indepth take on tinsel town but only to those who will meet the movie maker halfway and think for themselves.