Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician

This is a film that would potentially seem to have a lot going for it, with a lo-fi vibe and super-hip Cameos from the likes of Beth Orton, Beck, Elliott Smith, Hank Williams III and Billy Higgins. The basic idea of the film is also promising: struggling indie musician finds his dream instrument (a vintage synthesizer) in the classified ads, only to have it stolen from his car whereupon he goes on a quest through LA's suburban sprawl to try to recover it, meeting various hipsters and eccentric SoCal characters along the way.

The filmmakers seem to be aiming for a cult classic along the lines of "Repo Man" meets "Tapeheads". The problem is that, with the exception of Rory Cochrane in the lead role and Beck, Beth Orton and Ione Skye in minor supporting roles, the acting is almost universally bad. In particular, co-star/co-writer Ross Harris is very poor in the role of Cochrane's best friend, over-acting in every scene he's in (which is way too many).

Overall, the film's dialogue is not much better, although there are a few pretty funny lines and situations here and there through the 80 minutes.

To sum up, I don't know whether this is a film school final project or merely a very amateurish attempt to make an indie feature. If it's the former then a lot can be forgiven, otherwise if it's the latter then it's pretty much a debacle.

Dudes,

This movie is tight and has all the elements that make a great movie. Including, great characters, original soundtrack and story to begin with. This movie transports me back to a time when me and my friends used to hang out around Los Angeles, Glendale and other places. It rules with memories and I hear a second Southlander is in the works. If you want to laugh your ass off, get this DVD. This movie is like Beck's-Mello Gold. I hope that makes sense.

Peace

DP

Well first, it's probably best not to recommend this movie if you're not excited to see famous cameos from the Los Angeles indie music scene, or if you have inside information about why this movie was made other than thinking "oh, I live in LA, i have a lot of cool musician friends, i should do a film with them" - i couldnt figure it out myself.

What if you are an indie music geek then?

Well, the story is a bit like "philip marlowe wants to play keyboards in a band". But i don't necessarily mean that in a good way. The good thing is that it might give you the motivation to re-watch "the long goodbye" by Robert Altman. The bad thing is that you *will* keep wondering whether there is an inside joke to this film, or if this is a film school project thing.

It has to be said, this is *VERY LOW* fi. i can't believe they still manufacture cameras that can give you such a bad image, though. I'm just saying this is not just about the lack of money and staff. Seriously, when characters move 3 feet away from the camera, it gets blurry. The acting is awful all the way through, with the noticeable exception of Beck, who comes out okay. Even Gregg Henry, whose appearance is quite a nice at surprise at first, is very disappointing. A special mention for the framing, i found it schockingly lazy and inexperienced all the way through. And not only you do not expect that kind of inexperience even for a first time moviemaker, you do not expect that kind of inexperience from somebody who loves films and has seen lots of them. I do not know how much time, money and staff was put into this project, but it seems hard to forgive it all.

Now why on earth did i find it all quite charming? I am not able to phrase it. Well of course, the cameos. But also i guess some kind of sparkle to it. The script is crap, and well the directing is awful. But i guess maybe the idea for the script? The general tone?

How did i manage to watch it all the way through (and i did!) other than the fact that elliott smith only appears in the last 3 minutes? I'm not joking, i found it all quite entertaining.

i'm not sure why!

Certainly not a film i would generally recommend, but *some* people might enjoy *some* of it.

This film is fun and enjoyable once you get past the horrible film quality. Hanft's earlier film, "Kill The Moonlight" looks way better than this film, due to that film being shot on 16mm and this one being shot on what looks like video. Beyond that, the film is fun, pretty stupid and contains some excellent characters and freaky situations. Beck is really good as "Bek" and the scene involving him (the new age keyboard party) seems like it was written with "Midnite Vultures" era Beck in mind. There are some funny situations and Beth Orton is pretty sexy in it. Overall, if you like weird, low budget movies, late 90s "indy" rock, Beck or any combination of these things, you will enjoy the film. I'll admit, I didn't like it at first, but the end I was enjoying it. (Maybe this has to do with the fact that I was also drinking cheap wine.)

An atmospheric treatment of a life lived in the margins- a struggling keyboard player in El Lay who has nothing left to lose- and his quest for the elusive sound that will make (or break) him.

Also an indirect descendant of 60's experimental film (but with a sense of humor), done with the advantage of modern technology and professional production crew, editors, and especially actors, its only downside is that it is shot on DV. Which, while great for conceptualizing and certainly easy on the budget, is ultimately disappointing to see in a feature. They simply make do.

The material manages to rise above this giant (well, to my sensibility) compromise, but still loses points. I will pay the makers a compliment by noting that Igby Goes Down and Tadpole, two other shot- on- DV features with (probably) higher budgets, could do no better than the makers here, who had the advantage of some truly groovy music to offset the flat visuals.

Maybe they'll get the chance to do it again on film and distribute it to a wider (well, art film) audience.

Earnest and engaging- and very laid back- with nice attention to the details of the struggling musicians life- trading (sometimes naively) through a Recycler like paper, using decrepit phone booths, thrift shop chic, easy drugs and sex (yee-ha). It is very evocative of a *ahem* certain lifestyle of 20- somethings who come to LA and struggle attempt to make something of themselves (which has been going on for decades).

Rory Cochrane keeps the whole thing together, which would doubtless have lost focus without his strong presence. Ross Harris as the psycopathic 'friend' is appropriately barmy- and he has fake sincerity _down_, man.

There is a long list of walk-ons, and they blend well with the overall production. They also appear to enjoy themselves, which gives the proceedings an added boost.

The music speaks for itself, and helps the whole to gel. Beck, Hank 3, Beth Orton, Union 13, Future Pigeon all appear on screen and add their sound to one of the better soundtracks you'll hear (provided you know who they are).

Possibly should be Recommended Viewing for teens formulating their own ideas about seeking the holy grail- or gold record- in Hollywood.