The Photographer

"The Photographer" is one of the most disappointing films that I've seen in a long time.

Nicely shot, but no other redeeming features for a pretentious piece of drivel.

One of the main characters is an aspiring writer racked with self-doubt to an extent that he can't bring himself to add a ribbon to his typewriter. We might have all been spared if only Jeremy Stein had possessed the same lack of confidence.

Something about pulling teeth and fun comes to mind. Save yourself from certain disappointment...give this one a miss.

I saw THE PHOTOGRAPHER at the durango film festival in March 2001. Although I didn't quite understand what was going on (until someone briefly explained it to me, then it all made sense), it was an enjoyable film, mainly because of the supporting cast, especially the guy the the photographer saves from almost getting killed. To me, the film began to remind me of THE WIZARD OF OZ because this photographer meets individuals on his journey, and each one joins his quest.

This movie is a dream-like parable of a pretentious N.Y. photographer who has learned that art must come deep from the heart and be authentic. He has lost his native ability in the glamour of the artistic "in-crowd" and finds his way with the help of underclass mentors. The importance of his pictures pale in comparision to the image of life he derives in his journey.

"The Photographer" is one of those one man indies and it shows. The film is awful drivel...a pathetic attempt to piggy-back some dumbassed apocalyptic revelation into a Wizard of Oz'ish kind of thing with a bunch of weird people wandering around NYC looking for lost photos. Hey, you can't go a gallery show with 8x10's, OK! Jeeesh! This film sucked and was one huge waste of time.

It's not a great film but it's got a lot of fine moments. The best performance of that whole movie is easily, Maggie Gyllenhaal. She plays this kooky, fortune teller-wannabe who is a neatfreak and likes to broadcast the news while using her feather duster as a microphone. Every scene she's in is worth watching. I recommend to the thousands (and thousands) of Gyllenhaalics.