Locating Silver Lake

I was lucky enough to see Locating Silver Lake at a film festival in San Jose, CA. I am so glad I made the trek to see it because in a world where there are so many films with fantasy powers and action sequences, this film pulled me in with its compelling and real characters that are a blend of those we meet in our daily lives, raw depictions of Los Angeles (i.e. it's not all glitz and glamour) and refreshing story that has enough twists, turns and emotion to keep the audience engaged and excited.

The downside is I haven't been able to share the film with family and friends as it's still in the film festival circuit, but I can't wait to experience the film again once more widely released!

Not to mention, it's added a new item on my "LA to do" bucket list with the lookout telescopes, which are symbolic in itself...

GREAT FILM!

I absolutely love this movie! The characters are diverse and the movie takes you for an absolute ride and surprising turn. Huge Thank you to everyone associated in making this movie, from the Director, cast, and crew!

Just rewatched LSL after watching it at Edinburgh Filmfest 2018. This movie is so beautifully loaded with truths, simplicity and complexity of life, turn abouts you've never expected, chaos and stability. Just loved it!

I don't know if this is a depiction of Hollywood. It just touches the surface. LA as a whole is the dumping ground of the wannabes. I lived near Universal Studios in the Apartments on the hill but wasn't an actress wannabe like a lot of those that lived there. I had friends in Silver Lake a nice but gay community. I lived near my work, so the best place in LA to me was still Pasadena. I'll pass on the rest. LA used to be good in the 80' and 90's. Now it's a mess thanks to bad management by Democrats who know how to tear down a city and care more about illegals than it's own citizens.

This movies starts out good but it could have gone deeper. The writer barely scratches the surface and makes Seth a gay man who is totally into control into the prime character. He should have showed us his satanist side. You could tell from that scary black woman in his group. All the people are under his spell, which is sad. They are lost souls pulling together in a lost loveless city.

Glad the main character left town at the end.

Josh Peck made a likable guy next door type who has obviously gotten in over his head by moving to the big city after college. He has a past he won't talk about but manages to be so nice and pleasant to everyone around him, in spite of what he's not revealing. He has two possible friend groups but neither one looks particularly appealing to the average person. Either he will become friends with a group of tough looking Latinos who might be trouble, or a fun-loving diverse group who seem to be mostly gay. Both groups are friendly, in their own way. Daniel seems accepting of both but doesn't really fit in either place.

The real standout here is Finn Whitrock. What a personality. He is an acquired taste and it's not clear whether he cares about anyone but himself, and yet he shows concern for others. Or is it stalkerish behavior? We'll find out. He wears too much makeup in some scenes and way too much makeup in others and seems gay but kisses women too. And yet in one scene he looks "normal". He also shows a dark side that is different from how he comes across at first.

Aubrey Peeples is the pretty love interest for Daniel, who was dropped by his equally pretty girlfriend early on. She is more "normal" than most of the cast members and we are surly rooting for Daniel to be with her, but there are obstacles. Their favorite place to go is a quiet mountain with a great view of Los Angeles.

But then Daniel lives next door to the gorgeous Valerie Cruz. Maybe they'll end up together instead? She's really nice and her life is more conventional, and her sons like Daniel, and he likes them back. Dad is never shown but mentioned. I would have liked to see more of the boys. Cruz was really good in at least one scene.

All the leading actors do a good job. There is a dark mystery and some scenes are just plain creepy.

I would like to have laughed more. There are a few humorous moments.

In addition to the woman with two boys, there are two families here, and I don't mean people who are related, though two sisters are part of one of the groups. Family values are emphasized in one group.

The movie's biggest strength, if you happen to be one of those who prefers independent films that win awards to films designed for a large audience (I'm not), is the constant emphasis on philosophy. Daniel is a writer who likes Kerouac, so the artistic group seems to be his style. Maybe.

The fictional university shown in the opening scenes is really beautiful. Too bad more of the movie couldn't have been there.

I didn't care much for the music.

Not family friendly at all. The sound kept going out, and most of the times that it did, it wasn't because of the antenna that I used to pick up the TV signal. Though that was a problem too occasionally. The group that Daniel belonged to had a different idea of morals than Daniel did. And in one scene, all of Daniel is shown from the back. On broadcast TV that is blurry.

I would say it's worth seeing for some people. Not ideal for me.