Jason Furman's Reviews > Final Cut

I read Charles Burns’ Last Look trilogy (which began with X'ed Out) about a decade ago and still vividly remember the imagery, in fact much more than many graphic novels I read that long ago. But I also was frustrated by the trilogy because I did not really understand it—or know whether or not I was supposed to understand it. Final Cut has a similar style of memorable, great imagery, also has a certain amount of weirdness, but ultimately it is a more linear and understandable story—which makes it more than the pictures to also develop characters and their trajectory through life. It is a coming of age story (possibly autobiographical) about a man in his early 20s (give or take) who has connected up with a group of friends to make a home movie science fiction horror film. The group includes a male childhood friend and a striking red headed woman he met more recently. His fascination with film, images, and shifting between the fantasy world he lives in and the real world with this woman are the main theme of what is ultimately a touching, tender, but somewhat melancholy book. Among the best graphic novels I’ve read in a while.