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In the case of a critic, they see so many movies each week
that essentially anything a little bit different to the norm
is going to raise an eyebrow. In the case of a cinemagoer
though – sometimes familiarity is best, and when anything
takes a turn from the usual, it’s not always welcome.
One’s enjoyment of “Huckabees” will lie in
effect with just how much a film-geek he/she considers themselves
to be.
The occasional movie-watcher will probably find the quirky
film way too peculiar and way too ambiguous to ingest (and
likely press ‘stop’ on DVD about quarter-way through)
but those who, not unlike critics, appreciate damn-fine performances
and a storyline that’s more original than the usual fodder,
will lap it up and then some.
A head-scratcher of the highest degree, David O'Russell’s
film tells – this synopsis is going to quite a difficult
spill – of an activist poet (“Rushmore” star
Jason Schwartzman) who has been curiously bumping into a towering
African man at different places.
Thinking it may lead to questions about the key to his existence,
our lead hires a couple of "existential investigators"
(Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin) to look into the coincidences,
and in turn, they follow him around, perving on his every
move.
Throw in the lad’s main adversary at work (Jude Law),
that guy’s hotter-than-a-croc-pot girlfriend (Naomi Watts,
never looking so sizzling), and disconsolate fire fighter
(Mark Wahlberg) and you’ve got as much a mix of character
as you have in stratagem.
Hard to follow, but still eccentrically entertaining, “Huckabees”
is as independent as a studio-headlined ensemble effort could
be. If you’re not a fan of the ‘different’,
don’t waste your time, but if you love a swim in unfamiliar
waters it’s worth a paddle in.
I didn’t go as nuts for “Huckabees” as a lot
of other critics have, but maybe that’s because I still
consider mysself as a bit of an everyman. I can appreciate
the film's merits, but I also know it’s not going to
have a lot of appeal beyond the wine-sipping reviewer crowd.
DVD Extras
Accompanying the terrific transfer are two commentaries (one
with O'Russell all-alone, the other with O'Russell, Wahlberg,
Watts and Schwartzman). Both are good value, combining a horde
of information with humour, insight and Naomi Watts on a cell-phone.
Conclusion: Movie 75% Extras: 70%
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