Extraña ficción

I rented this because it seemed original and had a potentially good story. I wasn't sure what the story really was all about, but I was in a rush, and needed something quick.

Maybe I should have slowed down a bit....

First, my customary plot summary. (Past reviews of mine usually follow the same format. Not like you care, but that doesn't matter. You've read my comment and now you can't unread it....I'm sorry, I'm drifting.) Anyhow!! The story starts in an airport bar with an author talking with a man next to him. They start talking about his writing, and his recent book, "Stranger Than Fiction." Then he starts to delve into the story, which is, basically, about four twenty-somethings that get involved in a murder, and the perilous downward spiral their lives go in as an effect. It goes deeper than that, much deeper, but I'll spare you all the details, only because I rambled enough before and am catching myself doing it again.

As for my reactions...Well, the movie didn't thrill me. First of all, it was way too long for such a plotline. And as for the plotline...well, I couldn't figure out at all where this movie was going! It starts as a "thrust into treachery" sort of tale, but then it starts to get funny. Some of the humor is appropriate, but if this isn't a comedy...then it didn't fit. But then, it gets into this thriller-comedy-drama thing, and really gets confusing. By then, I was starting to get tired and figured the end was near. But then it gets twisted, then dramatic--then goes into this Part Two that seemed totally tacked on! It was almost like the "Part Two" seemed to be one of a few choices to be the last 30% of the movie. I don't know, it was just getting too contrived then, and sort of tense, but by then, I gave up on this one. There are a few good things. Good acting, effective music, an obvious-yet-not twist in the end (though, the cast list gives it away a little bit) and the way the movie would go into the alternate, film-negative sort of look was creative. But didn't save this messy film.

Check it out for originality, but I hate to say that it really isn't that good. So, you be the judge.

For the first hour and fifteen minutes of this film I kept thinking, "Wow, what a gem! I am so glad I found this movie." The movie was unexpectedly funny, the situation engaging and the director was skilled at creating a consistent tone for this black comedy. At around the hour-and-fifteen-minute point the plot seemed to come to a close and I was ready for the credits to roll. However at that point the movie took an infuriating turn. Not only did it completely change in tone - from comedy to high drama - but it introduced plot elements that, without being specific, negated much of what I had just seen.

Plot aside, why a movie's creators would want a film to be so funny for the first two acts and so deliberately unfunny for the third act is bewildering to me.

If movie sets up at the outset that it is a mystery, and then does something really twisty at the end you can enjoy it. But the movie did not prepare me for how it resolved and so I felt cheated out of a great comedy. "No Way Out" with Kevin Costner does a similar thing in the last one minute of the film. My recommendation is that you watch this for the first two third and then hit the stop button.

You will have a great time.

This movie is about mob behavior in a mob of only four.Very original movie about four friends who move from situation to situation with a murder being the solution. Of course the situations are contrived but isn't "tongue in cheek" always so. Still very much worth watching for its originality and acting.

In the beginning it feels like something is missing but in the end you will know why. It's a small production and has the feel of a USA movie even with the director's attempt to give it a more gritty texture. I was put off at the start because of the acting, however, the acting and the story both continue to improve as the movie nears the conclusion. The story is told well and keeps all of it's secrets quiet until the right moments. I am not going to slam this movie because lets face it, it was not meant to be a blockbuster but it really did surprise me. This is not one to buy, but it is certainly worth watching. Just make sure you stick with it all the way to the end. Not bad at all.

Someone Else Mentioned "Heathers" that is a good comparison for this movie

This is a film that draws you as it begins as a bar story and progresses into a wonderfully complex story as one situation spins out of control. A worthwhile rental or even a good purchase for a collection. The characters are complex and diverse and play off each other well. A similar film is Shallow Grave a British Import from 1994 or the great American Film, The Usual Suspects.