Fix

How does one make a drug movie these days, and not look like he or she is ripping off films like, "Requiem for a Dream", or "Spun". Well a good start is to stylishly shoot the picture from a first person perspective, giving a documentary feel.

Fix is really one of the latest takes on the "mocumentary" genera. Films by Christopher Guest come to mind when discussing mocumentaries, and movies like the "Blare Witch Project" defined it's boundaries. The decision to shoot the picture this way allows the audience to immediately connect with the characters, and keep them interested throughout.

I liked "Fix" more as a mocumentary than anything else. As a movie about two brothers bonding, it was not as innovative as the spin, it's photographic direction, put on the story being told. The performances are honest, and garner no more criticism than praise.

I screened the film in late 2008, and it was a breath of fresh air from the other pictures I was reviewing. I would recommend "Fix" to any movie goer, but especially to the independent movie fan; who will enjoy the picture for it's independent spirit." I am interested in seeing the next film Tao Ruspoli directs, and hope it matches "Fix's" style.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this film, but it turned out to be very engaging. Kudos to Olivia Wilde. I really enjoyed the ride. Looking forward to this one on DVD. THe cinematography was especially wonderful. I went back and forth with believing this was a real documentary and a narrative film. It had a lot of wonderful elements. It was creepy, quirky, realistic, suspenseful, and in some ways it felt like those old Hope and Crosby road pictures. I didn't love the ending. Some of the supporting players were very good and believable. It was a fun ride through the many sites and sounds of LA. The music was very eclectic and it seemed that the script was written around the music. The scene in Watts was particularly realistic.

"Fix" is a wonderfully shot, brilliantly acted and incredibly well directed film, which deserves all the praise that can be thrown its way. Tao Ruspoli takes the audience on a witty, energetic and truly emotional journey through Los Angeles in the course of one outrageous day in the lives of the characters. The jumpy hand-held camera style is not among my favorite film-making techniques and has gone horribly wrong on numerous occasions. However, if there ever was a film in which this works, it is "Fix". The sheer inventiveness of director/cameraman Ruspoli gives the film a gritty energy that is truly unique. Almost every single scene in this picture is a work of art itself. Add to that the extremely well-written (or amazingly improvised, I cannot tell) dialogue and the amazing performances of both Olivia Wilde and Shawn Andrews and you are left with a wholly satisfying experience. I would tip it for My Favourite Indie Film of the Decade. Seriously, I enjoyed it THAT much! Outrageously funny one second and deeply touching the next, this movie has all the advantages of an independent production and none of the down-sides (being too naive or too self-indulgent).

What Buddy-51 and many others failed to pick up on would be the typical cliched Bull Crap as in his own words spell out.

"At first she is disdainful and casually dismissive of Leo; then, as she gets to know him better, her hostility turns to grudging admiration, then tantalizing approval, and, finally, a willingness to become at least partially complicit in his actions, making her in a sense the Bonnie Parker of the piece"

Nothing is more cliched than a woman turning from being intelligent and knowing an A-hole when she sees one, to being what Buddy-51 described above.

It's almost as bad as the faked forced love interest a lot of these bone headed writers can't stop interjecting into everything they put out.

So spare me the rave reviews when this type of nonsense comes with the product. But what else would expect from weak AF writers who can dupe the easily lead ignoramuses that inhabit Merica, home of the dumbest people on the planet.

I didn't need to view this garbage to see that it's complete trash.

Filmmakers Bella (Olivia Wilde) and Milo (Tao Ruspoli) are pushed into driving Milo's brother Leo (Shawn Andrews) from prison across town to rehab or else Leo will be spending time in jail. Bella is not too happy as Milo is obligated despite their previous appointments. As they film their trip, Leo goes from one location to another in search for money to pay the $5k for the rehab. They meet sketchy characters doing questionable things as it seems like there is always another stop.

This looks like an indie a bunch of friends did on their day off. Shawn Andrews gives a very kinetic performance, but it wears thin quickly. The problem with the story is that Bella and Milo keep repeating the same mistake over and over again. Leo is obviously lying to them as he spends the money on drugs. At some point, a clear thinking person would just stuff Leo into the back of the car while they drive him to the rehab instead of letting him go to every drug spot he knows. Somehow the movie needs to set up why the couple would go along with any of this.