Flagrant délire

So I was flicking through the channels late at night and was surprise to see Sean William Scott on screen in a film I didn't recognise (always the best way to watch a film I find - no preconceptions). Anyway, I was intrigued enough to keep watching all the way through to the finish.

Scott is Ben McGewen, a small-time who's having to pay off his murdered brother's debt to gang boss Gregory (Lou Diamond Philips wearing a shockingly white wig and who I only actually recognised just before the end). All he has to do is steal a rare Chinese sculpture for him. Unfortunately the sculpture is locked away in a high-security bank vault. Good thing that Ben has an elaborate plan which involves the putting on a club night in the warehouse next door and a crew of accomplices capable of pulling it off. So long as everything goes to plan of course.

Inevitably, everything that can go wrong, does go wrong, but then if it didn't, there wouldn't be much of a film. Their original choice of DJ doesn't show and his replacement isn't too keen on their choice of music, Ben's ex-girlfriend is hanging around and distracting him, there's undercover FBI agents hanging around the club and Gregory is an impatient man.

I'm sure that if I thought about it, I could poke all kinds of holes in the plot and there were a few scene's that fell flat or just seemed to be filling time but I can say I warmed to the film. The main reason would be Scott, who carried the film and for once, wasn't playing a variation on Stifler. The rest of the cast were all unknown to me apart from Diamond-Philips and Dave Folley, who has little more than a cameo as one of the FBI agents though they all played their roles fine. It also made me laugh (especially a line that I will not repeat here as I don't want to upset more sensitive ears). So overall, it was a fun but nothing special.

Stark Raving Mad is exactly that! One of those movies where you check your brains at the door and just go along for the ride - and what a fun, breakneck ride it is. Seann William Scott has made a reputation for goofy performances - but this isn't one of them. And much to the better. What happened to the distribution of this movie is anyone's guess, although it sounds like some dumb studio exec simply didn't see it. A convoluted story about a break-in into a bank vault that is masked by the deafening music of an ongoing disco rave. Diverse characters with multiple story lines constantly threaten to derail the progress of the break-in, much to the viewer's delight. Funny, funny, funny. This has got to be the best performance from Seann William Scott, with his occasional asides to the audience regarding his personal philosophy on life. The story is constantly on the move, with a great, pounding soundtrack, unpredictable laugh-out-loud twists and an edgy cutting style that pitches you forward all the time. Kudos to everyone involved in the making of this movie! Sit back and enjoy!

This was a great movie, not a block buster, sure, but a great movie none the less. I just saw it on Showtime and wondered why I didn't see it in the theaters.

Good jobs all around. The directing was excellent and Sean could have carried the movie all by himself, but didn't have to. Sure some of the scenes were predictable and have been done elsewhere, but find me a movie where that isn't true. You have to judge this movie for what it set out to be: a farcical heist film. I predict that those that loved Hudson Hawk will like this movie as well.

MollyMock

'Stark Raving Mad' is one of those late-night, mid-week, B-movie feel movies that uses a recognisable face (Seann William Scott) to front a cast of lesser-knows talent (although I did recognise Patrick Breen from 'Men in Black' and 'Galaxy Quest'). Even so, this movie is a pleasing take on the usual bank heist concept and a nice little gem in a movie collection.

It may not be anything special to rave about, but the script is none-the-less fairly well-written. It certainly keeps everything moving at a decent pace without getting you loss and the dialogue has a nice straight-forward flow to it, so you can kick back and enjoy without having to think.

Some might say that the characters are obvious -- crime lords, cops, nightclub owner, the main man, etc., etc. I say that they're varied and eclectic, giving rise a range of amusing on-screen chemistries and antics. They're acted well enough, so I can't complain.

The movie also boasts some pleasingly creative (and if not creative, then definitely interesting) film-making. I particularly liked the way they presented narration/exposition.

The one thing, however, that I really like about this movie is the soundtrack. It's an original score (By DJ John Digweed) of nice pounding beat-y bassy techno dance music that gets you bopping every time. I will sit with this movie playing repeatedly in the background just to hear the music.

All in all, 'Stark Raving Mad' is an entertaining, light-hearted movie that probably deserves a bit more credit than it gets. I give this movie 8/10, not so much because there's anything spectacular about it, but just because I really like this movie.

Congratulations to all those involved in STARK RAVING MAD on a job well done! I was lucky enough to be present at one of the recent screenings and I enjoyed myself thoroughly!

Before I get into specific comments, let me me tell you a little bit about my personal likes and dislikes so you have some sort of frame of reference.

Some of my favorite films of late have been ELECTION, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME and RUSHMORE. I'm a huge fan of Woody Allen (The current frontrunner is CRIMES & MISDEMEANORS) and the Coen Brothers. I also love the KIDS IN THE HALL, A FISH CALLED WANDA and GROUNDHOG DAY, which, to me, is the perfect comedy.

That being said...

STARK RAVING MAD isn't perfect but God bless the filmmakers for trying and, on many more occasions than not, succeeding! This is a smart comedy that looks great, has a kick ass soundtrack, well-rounded characters, a plot that keeps us on our toes without being confusing or illogical and a heart that hits some pretty serious emotional moments without ever being trite and saccharine.

Here's how I'd sum up this film:

FAWLTY TOWERS in a rave!

Applause for Scott (Who really impressed me! He pulls off a tough role and debunks whatever theories his agents are probably telling him - Enough with the AMERICAN PIE movies already!) and Tim Sharp, who carries the emotional core of the film squarely on his shoulders. Both actors work well together and have a nice chemistry. In addition, the pizza delivery guy is HILARIOUS. I loved the pizza delivery guy! I also loved the guy on Scott's team who inadvertently takes ecstasy in the middle of the job! Very, very funny! And Dave Foley is great as the slimiest but funniest FBI agent I've ever seen!

Go see this film! It's a fun ride!

Hooray for the people in Hollywood who still take chances!