2 Birds with 1 Stallone

I don't now why but when I first viewed this a few years back when Bret Carr solicited us to program it (I was working at Slamdance) the film had sporadic bits of genius but did not come together. But after watching it again I was very impressed. Startled. I really don't understand how I could have missed the outstanding portrayal of his two roles in the father-son relationship, or the moving way that Lou can only express himself via conflict. This is a very great film. And not only did we program it over 2800 films this year, but it brought the audience to tears and was for me and some other programmers, the hit of Sundance.

I just saw this film, for the 3rd astounding time, at a DGA screening. This movie was in my hands about 1 year ago and the name has been changed since then. The workprint was called "2 birds w/1 stallone". I knew something great could come out of it or the director when I saw the first cut. But I didn't know if it would be this film that has matured to a piece of art.

The workprint was actually played at fests like Austin and others, and the director has cut and cut and rescored and reshot to the point where I feel the film is close to a classic. If anyone will release it is another story. Perhaps Harvey is the only person in town who would have the balls to market this film. Because the only way to get it out there, is to make a star of the director who also plays the lead role.

Bret Carr, a Deniro/Thorntonesque actor/directer, may define his whole career with this role. He's absolutley flawless. It gets to a point where it doesn't seem like he's acting, you feel as if you're watching a documentary.

This is my favorite kind of film. We're stuck with a character who is stuck with himself. And this guy, Lou, well, you get to know him, feel what his life his like, hear his thoughts, and sometimes even agree with the thoughts. Taxi Driver is a prime example of this. Travis Bickle and Lou Benedetti are cut from the same cloth. Lou goes down a different road, and happily it is slightly more commercial and humorous, but he still is one of the most ambitious characters in movie history, he desperatley tries to connect with people but always ends up scaring them away. But he keeps going. Until he goes inside of himself in one of the most psychologically explosive scenes in film history. By the end he ends up something of a hero. A triumph for Bret Carr who stuck with this film until it worked. And like Robert Evans says, "...a master needs time with his canvas". My rating: **** out of ****

With final editing, this will be a good movie. While somewhat disjointed, the audience certainly gets a sense of the turmoil Lou experiences and participates in his triumph. Bret Carr turns in a very creditable performance in a demanding role as the protagonist. When I met him after the showing, I half expected him to be stuttering and darting glances from side to side.

Rarely have i gone to the theatre and seen a character truly become a new human being. Bret Carr, who directed and starred in 2 Birds, has made a most powerful film. The title character, Lou Benedetti, transforms from violent stuttering homophobe into a motivational speaker. This alone is enough to keep you in your seat as his performance was spellbinding. However, the story and interweaving of flashback and sound effects taking us inside of his head, was almost painterly in its design. And the result was the most moving film experience I've had in the last few years. I fully recommend this wonderful film. It blended comedy with tragedy and then took me back out the top making me feel like I too can conquer the world. Or, perhaps, just my demons. That is enough for me. Oh, and there is a marvelous cameo which is excruciatingly funny and poignant and serves to move the story along in yet another wonderfully surprising way. This film is full of surprises and little miracles. See it now. Take you family. Then go see it again. I'm going to. But how, I'm not sure, since I accidentally walked into a screening at the angelika. Somebody is bound to discover this gem, and put it in theatres. This film needs to be seen.

Lou is a film which psychologically rooted itself inside of me. Much the way Godfather made me want to escape the destiny of my father's legacy. However, instead of the dark turns of the Godfather, Lou created a surreal fast-paced Scorcese landscape which captivated me emotionally and visually. Comedic touches allowed a cross-genre appeal which is a directorial ability held by Spielberg and few others. A stunning feature debut. Bret Carr's film, and the screenplay by Oscar nom Quinn Redeker and Mary Shashy, took hold of me by infecting me with love and pathos for the title character, Lou Benedetti. Then the film, and the SPELLBINDING performance by the actor/ director (Carr), takes you through his psychological deconstruction and awakening. Jon Jacobs who plays the Tony Robbins character and Starla Benford who plays the Oprah on speed character are both wonderful also. This is an amazing movie.