Stuck

Just saw Stuck at the Breckenridge Film Festival in Colorado and I have to say it's easily one of my new favorite movies. I was worried it was gonna be a little froofy cause it's a musical, but it wound up being powerful, emotional, and hysterical. It never bothered me that they broke into song. The music was incredible, a blend of a whole bunch of styles so that each of the main characters had a unique voice. It was a simple enough premise- six strangers stuck on a NYC subway- but I feel like I really got to know these characters and can't stop thinking about what's gonna happen to them now. Though I related to just about everyone in the film, even if you don't, the story is so universal you're bound to identify with one of the characters. I'm never gonna look at a stranger the same way again.

The low budget film is not bad, but it is just really far removed from reality. I cannot imagine being in public transport, having all these highly unlikely interactions and conversations. Hence, I cannot get into the story at all.

So! A very simple premise, and then so many connections and relevations, and SO much humanity! Yes, maybe that's what it is, the humanity of it. The heartfelt stories of those people.

And the characters. Now, a stuck underground with bright sharp inner light is a good place for character studies. The light helps too. The picture is so clear in this movie. Clear to see details in the faces.

And then the acting. And the people chosen for the movie. The characters chosen to be studied. The homeless guy is perfect. Hearing him speak reminded me of my time in the US. (even though I was in SF and not in NY, and that in the late 90s and 2000s). Reminded me of people I had met. Ok, the characters may be clichee, but then again, they weren't. Every one of them eas special too.

Plus it is a very original movie. A musical. Which somehow fit wonderfully in this movie. The movie is about different kinds of art in aw way too, anyway.

And the ending was wonderful too. Again, so much heartfelt humanity.

And maybe one of the messages is just that people are NOT cliche after all. That we really don't know one another and should ot judge at first sight.

In any case, a very good movie, simple and still there is so mich more to it.

You have to hunt to find this gem (literally, check R/T), which tries, and mostly succeeds, to be an honest but unifying force. Giancarlo Esposito's superb portrayal of a subway bum is the exact opposite of the simmering, fastidious heavy in the long running Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul series. Half the music is excellent, especially Giancarlo singing (a non- Patsy Cline) "Crazy". But the other half is Broadway sing-song boiler plate, which is why I didn't make it a 10.

The longest standing ovation (full house too)I can recall in many years at The Woodstock Film Festival. This film is fully engaging and so moving. We all attached to the characters and shared their discomfort, anger, sadness and confusion. The music was seamlessly worked into the dialog and it was varied and emotionally real. There wasn't a soul who left without vowing to be a more open and less judgmental person in life. GO! whenever it gets distribution!