Buster's Mal Heart

Superb acting from all 3 main characters. The story just drags along. There's no real explanation of some of the events that take place. Sort of like a lower scale Lighthouse version.

One figures out soon that the main character is not right and is not at all surprised of the twist fifteen minutes prior to the film ending.

An ok movie, just lacked drive.

Greetings again from the darkness. A film festival wouldn't be complete without at least one mind-blowing avant-garde cinematic experience. I'm not the kind that needs every ending neatly bow-wrapped, and I often enjoy having conventional story structure challenged and even dissolved. Writer/director Sarah Adina Smith seems to thrive in such an environment in this twisty psychological thriller covering three timelines (one of which may be a dream) … or a split personality … or two/three men from one … or some combination … or something else entirely that I might have missed. (I'm not too proud to admit this distinct possibility).

When a filmmaker bravely dives into the bizarre, casting becomes crucial. Ms. Smith nails it with Rami Malek, DJ Qualls and Kate Lyn Sheil. Thanks to the popularity of TV's "Mr. Robot", Malek is now a leading man – albeit far outside the Ryan Gosling mold. Here he plays Jonah, a struggling family man with a wife (Ms. Sheil) and young child. Working as a night Concierge at a hotel, Jonah tries to make the best of the lack of sleep and minimal contact with his family. In addition to Jonah, Malek plays Buster, a slippery and hirsute mountain man who negotiates his way through the Montana mountains by hanging out in the multi-million dollar vacation homes (mostly) vacated by their owners during the snowy winter months.

The film bounces between 3 periods for Jonah/Buster: the elusive near-mythical mountain man running from the law, the bleak nights of the family man, and a dream-like sequence where he is adrift at sea in a row boat. Throughout the film, references to "sphincter" and multiple proclamations that "The Inversion is coming" lead us to believe there could be a sci-fi connection or an apocalyptic ending headed our way. Instead, it's "the belly of the whale" that might unlock the mystery or mysteries serenaded by the thunderous techno-bass bass. Even with the dark comedic elements, it's a head-scratcher for sure; but one that manages to keep us engaged despite our whirlwind of theories and uncertainly.

This is a visually striking film with an amazing plot. It took some time for me to fully understand this film but once you understand it, it will stick with you for a long time. Rami Malek's performance is flawless and minimalistic. If you're obsessed with filmmaking and cinematography you will appreciate this to its full potential.

This film is more than just a film. It is an experience, and it has you from start to finish in its seemingly quiet way. Then it comes to you in your dreams too, in your conversations about it, and your will for others to see it too. The characters, the world, the scenarios, all bring to light a new perspective. I loved the storytelling and it's fresh, funny, and dramatic.

I often find that I am not so moved by newer films, that they aren't succeeding in providing me with new insight or actual cinema or unique stories. I have no issue with walking out and never needing to look back. This is a movie I want to see again. And I will find new revelations there.

I wish many more films would aspire to this, which succeeds in what it does.

There are definitely different ways to approach this film. It can be darkly comic, but at its core, it's a tragedy with one actor at the center of it who is ready to give it his all. Malek has become a star due to his TV series, Mr. Robot, and here he gets an opportunity to shine even further. The lead character is a tricky one, balancing different story lines and timelines and personality traits while still having to be consistent in characterization. It's not hard to see why Malek was cast here. He has such a bubbling intensity and forceful acting style that comes across natural while leaving a lasting impression, and that's exactly what he does here.