reviews
Reviews: film
MOVIES
The Aristocrats
86 minutes, Not Rated, Liberty Hall
☆☆☆
The Aristocrats, in all its twisted and
augusting glory, is really about a bad joke. A bad joke that comics seem to love for no apparent reason, except it gives them unlimited opportunity to try and gross each other out.
The basic outline of the joke is this: A man walks into a talent agency and says to the agent, "I've got a great family act for the stage."
The agent says "Well, tell me about your act." The man then launches into a description of the most utterly foul act you can imagine involving his wife, kids and usually the family dog.
The talent agent says "That's quite an act, what do you call yourselves?"
The man answers, "The Aristocrats!"
The only part that makes this joke funny is who tells it and what revolting details they add to the middle — thus,
the beauty of The Aristocrats. Directed
by Paul Provenza and produced by Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller fame, the film features interviews of more than 100 comics (from Robin Williams to my favorite, Bob Saget) who tell the joke or embellish on its importance. It is, as the creators say, like a jazz rift, as each comedian takes on somebody else's tune and makes it their own.
However funny this film is - and it really is - the film suffers from a wayto-long malady that seems to plague most films these days.
I was tired and exhausted at the end. But I was laughing. So even though the film leaves you feeling worn out and disgusted, The Aristocrats will make you laugh.
- Lindsey Ramsey
An Unfinished Life
1 hr 50 min , PG 13, Southwind Theatre
★★★
Director Lasse Hallstrom's film, An Unfinished Life, quietly illustrates
heavy themes like premature death, shattered lives and fate. The film involves three main characters, all involved in emotionally and physically paralyzing life moments. Together, Einar (Robert Redford), Mitch (Morgan Freeman) and Jean (Jennifer Lopez) make up a fragile group of lost souls trying to come to grips with pain, loss and forgiveness. Einar loses his only son, Griffin, in a car accident and then his wife
leaves him. Then, Jean and her elevenyear-old daughter, aptly named Griff, arrive at Einar's ranch after fleeing an abusive boyfriend. On the ranch, Einar is coerced into talking about his situation
to the young, inquisitive Griff through a series of conversations. This collection of scenes illustrates the powerful dialogue found throughout the film.
The film excels in the subtle, comic banter between Freeman and Redford, who bring depth and rugged wisdom to their roles. But the film is misguided in the relationship between Jean and the town sheriff (Josh Lucas), and the all-too-perfectly timed entrances of Jean's ex boyfriend; it's just too forced. Despite the lack of character development in parts, An Unfinished Life does a solid job of displaying believable character interactions. It's a quiet film worth watching.
- Sarah Tucker
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