The Delicate Art of the Rifle

I found this film on IFC recently as I was flipping channels and it caught my attention immediately and it really blew me away. The fact that it was made by a first-time writer, director, and mostly first-time actors was even more of a shock. Especially the writing and acting of Stephen Grant (who played Walt Whitman) was absolutely superb. He also bares a resemblance to the actual University of Texas at Austin shooter Charles Whitman of whom the film was based, which makes it all the more chilling (even though the film was set in current times and not 1966). The film has a very surreal feel to it which you can tell was achieved very carefully. Apparently some people say it runs too long but, being a person with a notoriously short attention span, I didn't find myself getting bored at any moment. I would definitely recommend it to any fan of independent film.

7/10.

Yet another fantastic movie that I can't find anywhere. If anyone knows where I can get a copy of it; let me know. I have 2 more lines to fill. Damn, this is a grrreat movie. You really ought to see it. You'll laugh till you pee your chones. College kids are annoying, but this movie isnt; Go figure.

I can't figure out why this movie is still so obscure. No one I've ever asked has seen it, even in Austin, which is really strange considering that it's based on the Charles Whitman sniper shootings at UT. I saw it over four years ago, and still remember it strongly for it's dreamy surreal quality. The protagonist drifts through the day, encountering various campus characters with equal nonchalance. Even when he realizes that someone is putting holes in his soda with a high powered rifle he seems unfazed. It's definitely a very unique take on what was at the time (60's) one of the most violent and shocking episodes to occur at an American school. (The film actually takes place in the time which it was filmed, not the 60's).

This occasionally airs on the IFC and is definitely worth a viewing when it does. I saw this recently and it's a fine example of the type of challenging film-making and writing that is lacking in independents today.

A sniper takes control of a rooftop of one of the dorms on a college campus - but rather than focus on the obvious tragedy and danger of the situation, the film addresses the everyday aspects of life surrounding it, to comedic effect on occasion. This seems crude and insensitive on the surface- but it plays as something just outside dark comedy with atypical approaches to side story and narration. The narrator and main character, Jay has an unique viewpoint to the ordeal after he witnesses one of his professor's get shot in the quad only to later find out his connection to the sniper responsible. The interesting character of Walt Whitman is portrayed by the writer of the film, Stephen Grant. Campus life and the transitory nature of relationships are playfully foregrounded here and it makes for a far more interesting and unexpectedly entertaining result than you'd expect.

This approach to the subject matter may be something that would never see the light of day as a mainstream film with all the sensitivity to events like Columbine, D.C.sniper from 2001 or even the UT sniper from the 60s but as a low budget indie it works and is worth watching.

I stayed up until nearly 1:00 AM watching this film on IFC. This film started off pretty slow, and the constant narratives bothered me a little, but overall this is a good film. The last 45 minutes or so makes up for the beginning, and the comedy and suspense is quite impressive. Worth seeking out for sure. I just wish that this film was adequately funded, as to avoid the cheap feel to it. I was also impressed with the bullet wound effects, which looked very real and convincing. I also liked the actor who played Walt Whitman. He was cast perfectly, in my opinion. I wish that this film was for sale or something. If you happen to see this on IFC you should check it out and be patient. 3 stars.