Un privé à L.A.

The premise: Two young documentary filmmakers set out to make a film about a two-man detective agency in Los Angeles, led by Miguel Ferrer as John Boone. But things fall apart, and they get involved in the story, losing professional distance and objectivity, with hilarious results.

This is an absolutely marvelous film, and the mockumentary format lends an odd feel to it that's hard to explain. You'll just have to go see it.

It's an "8" for what it is, earning an extra point for being too original at the time. It's a mockumentary ala "Spinal Tap" and "Best in Show" which, frankly, are better, but this stands on its own. Following a second-rate private dick in LA, it jumps the "fourth wall", and incorporates the film crew, adding to the fun. One of the best things about it is its layers of droll that I suspect will not unfold until I see it again.

Having been weaned on Cristopher Guest's best (Tap, Waiting, Best, et al), and the TV hit "The Office", one thing this mockumentary has that it probably shouldn't have had... was a soundtrack. But, it was an ABC pilot order, and without any backup like a borrowed British TV success (The Office), that was unavoidable at the time. The soundtrack's not bad, but it does detract.

It's a fun attack on that line that separates Reality and the silly joke called life.

As Hollywood continues to dumb down in its relentless pursuit of the lowest common denominator, a film as funny and smart as "Where's Marlowe" is just too good to be true. I was lucky enough to catch it at the First Annual Worldfest-Flagstaff film festival, where it was a huge hit. Unfortunately, the film is such a clever 'reveal' that to describe it at all would be to take away from the pleasure of being caught in its web. So all I can suggest is that you do whatever you can to get this film seen. Bug the distributors! Demand it at festivals! You'll be glad you did.

Channel surfing one night, saw Miguel Ferrer, stopped flicking and I'm so glad I did. How do movies like this not make more impact at the box office? Probably because there are no explosions or chase scenes and the audience was forced to think. Ahh, the horrors of having to think. Bullets don't fly around, but boy does the plot ever! I found myself thoroughly entertained throughout and even a bit confused sometimes, but I think that was the idea. Solid performances from everyone, including the script and direction. The camera work was excellent. Miguel Ferrer is a wonderful actor and more surprising than the standard top ten Hollywood throws at us nonstop. Miguel, this piece of work is rock solid. Keep it up.

I was near to enter to the realm of Morpheus, when I got this flick

on the cable. At first, I don't want to see this movie because in the

guide was advertised like a documentary. Wrong!

It is a movie who pretends to be a documentary, but who cares!

Because once I started seeing this film, I found it thought

provoking, interesting, and overall hilarious. There is a `killer'

scene near the end that made me laugh so strong that hurts.

Nice acting by one of my favorite actor from TV and movies, great

job Miguel!