Let me start by saying that I am big fan of art-house films that are most interested in exploring characters, treating them as people, and discovering the reasons behind their actions. Consequently my all-time favourite directors include Robert Altman (Short Cuts, Pret-a-Porter) and Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Boogie Nights). These directors take a mosaic of characters, and mould them into a spiderweb of interconnecting lives and situations. Also, more importantly, They Do It Well...
City Loop is a film that has the same feel as these films. It chooses characters such as: a sexually-inexperienced teenage guy who reveals his insecurity regarding sex; a girl who's in love with a gay guy; the promiscuous teenage girl always looking for attention - it seems that she just wants to be loved. The actors used in City Loop to portray these characters don't appear to accomplished actors in their own right, their dialogue isn't generally delivered realistically. What redeems their performances seems to be whatever techniques Chayko uses to access the emotional memory banks of the actors. She does it so well, in fact, that many of the scenes have powerful emotional charge. This is why I compare her to Paul Thomas Anderson, who uses actors who don't stand out in the sea of Hollywood actors, yet give outstanding performances in his films (eg John C. Reilly). This is one of the areas where she is a highly accomplished film-maker, giving her huge potential.
I didn't actually find this film entirely enjoyable. I was certainly interested and intrigued with the characters from start to finish, but was left with an unpleasant after-taste. What lets this film down is the music, too many coincidental meetings in such a large city, and a lack of all the "bits" that "juice up" the film and make it realistic, bringing the environment to life. The music is dull, and far too infrequent. Music should be used to compliment and intensify the emotions of the characters. Another thing that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, is the emptiness of the city, and the pizza store. This may well have been a technique used by Chayko to represent the coldness of the city, but with no further reference to that concept in the film, I'll have to assume it to be a fault. All that is needed is extras walking the streets, and cars to fill the roads to give the city the life that it should have.
In conclusion, though this film leaves a lot to be desired, I believe that Chayko may one day make a truly great film in the tradition of Happiness or Magnolia. Until then, I will certainly follow her career with a close watchful eye.
