Paixão Suicida

This is one of "those" movies. You know the kind - like a catchy tune the vibe of this movie stays in your head... the movie had all the chances in the world to be depressing, but it was far from it, there are only a few drama elements and the title is not deceiving, it truly is a love story and a beautiful one at that and also threaded with great humor, when I laughed, I laughed hard. And I would probably cry if the ending was any different.

I won't go into possibilities and impossibilities of metaphysical, because that's absolutely not what this story is about; purgatory, if you will, is only the stage, where the romantic play is performed, with that, it's innovative though actually daring, as it was probably obvious the box office would never explode from what 'Wristcutters' would make. In my opinion, the movie is so well made it would have been great even if it was stripped of suicide thing and it was just a plain love story. Oh and Shannyn Sossamon was so convincing, I think I'm in love with her now. ;)

Spent the evening up at the beautiful Sundance Ski Resort. Wristcutters: A Love Story was playing. I had a list of 4 or 5 films I wanted to see this year, but the only one available when I could attend (after work) was Wristcutters. As a warning - I talk some about movie content - but not really any more than is already available in the movie blurbs distributed by Sundance.

It is the result of the ongoing Sundance Institute's efforts at nurturing up and coming filmmakers. This film began at the institute 2 years ago when the director / screen writer, Guran Dukic took a screenwriters course. For his screenplay he choose a novella by an Israeli, Etgar Keret "Kneller's Happy Campers". All the particulars of the film making process Dukic covered during the Q&A after the film.

As a brief summary, this is a story about a young man (Fugit) who, after his girlfriend leaves him, cuts his wrists. He suddenly finds himself in the afterlife in the same, if not worse, situation than he was in life. After quite some time of pointless existence (who knew they had pizza in the afterlife?) he learns that the woman (Bibb) he ended his life for, missed him so much, she too suicided. He immediately decides he must go looking for her. The afterlife is filmed in an overexposed way, making everything look dusty, dirty and washed out. (It was all filmed in and around the LA area.)It was actually fairly effective in making this seem - as Dukic described it "like this world only a little worse". This place is peopled by other suicides, all miserable, all mostly alone. Their main topic of conversations is "so how did you off yourself?" A strange assortment of characters eventually come together as each one explores the issues that led them to suicide in the first place, and through associations, experiences, etc. they start to work through these issues. These characters include Shannyn Sossamon, who did a fairly good job, though at times seems strangely stiff; Shea Whigham as a Russian rock-n-roller (he was great!); Tom Waits as Kneller who runs a "camp", I loved his part and character - though his time in the film was too brief. Will Arnett's part was almost cameo-like.

Interesting theme, and actually fairly unique. The underlying storyline that suicide really solves nothing - just takes your pain and problems to another level is one that many should hear. "What can I do about it now, kill myself again?" -Zia talking about his miserable afterlife.

The filming was pretty well paced, not too long at 91 minutes, with enough comedy thrown in to keep it from being maudlin and enough drama to keep it from becoming clownish. The direction was classic art-house style, with cut aways, closeups, erratic use of music, etc. The direction was pretty clear and concise, though without the polish I'm sure Dukic will pick up with experience. The music worked fairly well. Dukic specifically picked the music played throughout the afterlife by bands that had experienced suicide at some point. There was some beautiful "northern" music as well - you'll know what I mean when you see it.

The language was raw, it would definitely earn an "R" rating. The only concern my friend, who went with me, had was about the love story. She's a middle school teacher and thought that the love story aspect would glamorize suicide as a way to find your "true love". I think they'd be smarter than that - but then we are talking about teenagers! I enjoyed the film, meeting the cast members (Whigham, Lazarev, Dukic, and the producers, etc. were there). I don't know if this is "movie house" quality. I do foresee the day, however, that Dukic will make that leap, he obviously has talent - I just don't think "Wristcutters" is quite there yet. I suppose it will make it to art houses and smaller theaters that show art films. I would recommend it, it was an enjoyable evening.

Wristcutters is a wonderful picture about love, suicide, the afterlife, and happiness. At its core, Wristcutters is a surreal romantic comedy about a young man who (after a presumed break up with his girlfriend) kills himself only to wind up in another world that's exactly the same (or slightly worse) than his previous one. As you would expect, this is a very dark comedy with few laugh out loud moments. The acting and direction in the film are all good (especially Tom Waits) and the soundtrack is really amazing. Most of the music was done by Gogol Bordello, a gypsy punk band (I think they are from NY). I also really enjoyed the contrasting landscapes of the world of the living and the world of the dead. Overall this is an effective film that most people will enjoy. The characters are, for the most part, likable and the plot is original and entertaining. A fine piece of dark comedy!

This is one of the best movies I've seen in a while! It's also one of the funniest movies I've seen recently.

The beginning definitely sets you up for the action to come and adds shock value. The first half hour or so was hilarious, filled with nice little humorous tidbits. Then it launches into the whole road trip scheme and focuses a lot more on the characters' emotional journey.

What's also neat for anyone who's spent a lot of time in Los Angeles and the valley is that you can recognize most of the scenery. This brings the plot into our world a little and makes it sort of familiar. The characters bring you along with them on their journey.

Patrick Fugit was fantastic in his role, as were all of the other actors. There were even a few surprise castings that had the audience roaring with laughter and cheering towards the end of the film.

This is truly a character-driven film of the type that you don't find much anymore. You won't regret any minute of it!

Sometimes we find beauty in the strangest places; and, remarkably for such a gruesome title, Wristcutters could probably be said to be a rather uplifting affirmation of life, hidden within a seriously quirky black comedy. Set in an afterlife reserved for people who commit suicide, it seems to contain wacky nuggets of truth from oddball characters including Zia, searching for the love of his life, Mikal, an accidental visitor, Eugene, a Russian musician that electrocuted himself on stage from being badly heckled, and the weird and wonderful Kneller, played by the ever-mysterious Tom Waits.

Zia slits his wrists and promptly wakes up in a world resembling this one, except that the colours are rather washed out and nobody smiles. He abandons his job at Kamikaze Pizza to search for his former love Desirée, and soon makes close friends with Mikal and Eugene, who accompany him on one of the strangest road trips since Dorothy lost her innocence in the Wizard of Oz.

What gives Wristcutters its edge, are the frequent, addictively interesting, and not immediately fathomable symbols that keep cropping up and nagging away like in any good movie that yearns for cult status: such as the black hole under the passenger seat where things just disappear. We just know that place - how many things have you lost there? Then there are people who are just far too weird to have been dreamt up on the back of a Hollywood paycheck: like the throat-singing mute, the dead-again messiah, or the policeman who still has a hole in his head.

There is a temptingly meaningful logic at work that will leave you fitting the pieces together long after the film has finished. Explaining how to perform minor miracles to the lovelorn Zia, Kneller tells him: "As long as you want it so bad, it's not going to happen - the only way it's gonna work is if it doesn't matter . . . " We soon start looking for clues to this rather crazy world and here Mikal (played by the much under-rated Shannyn Sossamon) looks like a good bet - but then so does anyone if you let your imagination run wild enough.

The religious orthodoxy behind the ultimate ideas of Wristcutters is a weakness, but it is put subtly and light-heartedly so will be inoffensive to most viewers.

If the stars in your sky have gone out for a while, maybe treat yourself to this zany and very well-produced story to set them on fire again. Wristcutters - a Love Story is at once touching, hilarious, thought-provoking and a hugely enjoyable ride.