Scotch and Milk

I saw this at a special screening in Austin, Texas. The place was packed (I guess everyone will show up for a free movie) and barely got in. After I sat through the 2 hour movie, I thought I just saw a bad black & white version of Swingers. Right after the movie, Adam Goldberg was doing a Q&A with the audience, and complaining he couldn't get anyone to pickup the film for distribution. He says that Swingers was filming at the same time Goldberg created this film, and scoffed at that film. You know which film was a success, and which one didn't get the nod. There is a reason why. Scotch & Milk attempted to be an artsy-fartsy film, but almost made me fall asleep. It's a film about relationships, friends, barflies, love, and trying to get out from the rut. The character development never established itself, and the flow of the film was jagged. This film will likely never reach past film festivals and private screenings, and you'll be glad it didn't. Goldberg is a decent actor, but directing.. just let the pros do that.

Man. This was and is one of the most indulgent, poorly executed films I have seen. Yuck!!!

I remember reading the somewhat positive review of this film

about a year and a half ago in Variety and seeing Adam Goldberg's

name attached to it, who I hold a place in my critical heart for his

appearance in Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused, I wanted to

see this film badly.

I wish I could dampen my enthusiasm a few notches in retrospect.

Scotch & Milk ultimately will remind many of the much better

Swingers, a film I still think was a better screenplay than film, but

even though Milk is more expressionistic and arty, this doesn't

mean its a better film in the long run.

I really do think this film was made for the sole fact to see if the

camera worked. The film rambles from one improvisational set

piece to another, further strengthens the argument against

smoking and drinking, and really doesn't say much that Swingers

or even more to the point, Barbet Schroeder's Barfly, didn't say

better.

I caught this film recently on the Sundance channel and I do agree

with the American Cinematography writer's laudable comments

regarding Milk's look but even some trash manages to look pretty

that doesn't mean it's better. I hope Goldberg has a better film in

him in the years to come.

Those who don't know what they are saying shouldn't open their mouths... Phil Maturano a world recognized and respected JAZZ drummer happened to have graced this film with his presence..

Not to mention this is one of Goldberg's first "lower" budget independent films which aided in putting him on the path to becoming a working actor and the opportunity to direct more films.. Come now lets not be so angry and cynical. This film came out around the time of swingers not because of it. I assure you that there are plenty of other films out there about trying to get laid and male "studliness" so lets not compare. This film is shot beautifully. Makes LA look like a hip swinging town( which it's pretty much not). Like most blood, sweat, tears and a LOT of sacrifice evidently went into making this film project. Every piece of art deserves a kind gesture. Watch it for yourself.

Goldman attempts a faux film noir that has some nice cinematic details, but the screenplay avoids character development, leaving nothing of substance to chew on. With lines like "What becomes of a poet who cannot write and his muse tired of poetry?," some of this film is hard to take.