Glass, Necktie

I saw strong reviews from the LA Weekly, the Los Angeles Times and Film Threat on the DVD box and decided take a chance and rent it. I'm glad I did – an utterly original story supported by fine performances. It keeps you guessing all the way through as to what's coming next. The look is dark and moody and really draws you in. I'm thinking it was shot in Los Angeles but the cool thing is, these characters could be anywhere. It follows a group of friends who are obsessed with infidelity, loyalty and control and these obsessions bring some of them together and tear others apart. The situations the characters put themselves in and the holes they dig for themselves are both disturbing and bizarrely funny. If you like challenging, fast-moving films, put this on your list. As a DVD bonus, there's an impressive twenty minute short.

If you do, you might be tempted to see this movie. First, I didn't know there were so many horrible actors in this world. Outside of a couple performances, I've seen better acting in grade school plays. I hope they keep their day jobs. But lest I offend them, I have to say that the dialog was beyond laughable. It was pathetic. Boring and bland conversation. Like watching oil dry.

The idea of the film was great. Not what is IN the film, but what the film jacket notes say it's about. It had all the potential of being a Hitchcock/Lynch-esque sexual thriller. I sat through the most boring movie I've ever seen. Then in the last 5 minutes, it looked like it might have some promise. Waited for the twist. Then the credits started to roll! The movie could have ended at any time and you'd never know the difference.

I've never had a "the worst movie I've ever seen" before. I do now.

I just saw the film Glass, Necktie and was actually surprised by the overwritten, immature nature of the REVIEW I just read on this site that puts the film down. I think it's probably that one person whose soul mission in life is to put down other people's work with ridiculous exaggeration and not a hint of critical knowledge about film-making. Perhaps it's the same idiot you meet in chat rooms who can't stop using racist jargon as he misspells his moronic comments about gays.

Glass, Necktie is a good, solid film. Is it perfect? No. Show me an indie film made on a micro budget that is. The film does several things right that are difficult for any director to accomplish under the constraints of budget, time, and the attempt of a story to do more than simply entertain or deliver a smoking gun. This film is intelligent, well-paced, and tense throughout, managing to keep the line of dramatic tension taut and focused, even as the story arches and flows into secondary plots.

The acting was a mixed bag. The roles that required more commitment were executed diligently, competently, and sometimes masterfully. The smaller roles were certainly more of gamble but that is the mark of nearly every filmmaker's early efforts. You get who you can for no money and build the strength of the piece around your strengths. This filmmaker does this well and sometimes exquisitely.

Some of the shots in the film are intriguing and help build and carry tension. The director attempts to get us outside the box with different stylistic approaches. The spirit of indie film to me is to break from the cardboard cutout of every auteur attempting to be the next Tarantino and instead search for their own inner voice. We see the beginnings of this director's personal journey and find a voice that's fresh, different, dark, and at times innovative. I suppose most critics such as the one I read prior, value more highly the high production value of the same old, same old story that has nothing to say but says it with great polish. How sad for him.

If you are interested in a story that conceptually attempts something different, maintains tension throughout, is shot with intelligence and originality, and is a mixed bag ranging from raw to powerful, than check out this film. If you are looking for a mega budget film that does a high quality job at telling you nothing new and does it with great polish, then take the negative critic's review on this site to heart and go rent "Dude, Where's My Car!" I'm pretty sure that "dude" has it in his collection.

I highly recommend this film. It's a weird, wild ride that is well worth the trip. The filmmaker skillfully provides a voyeur's view as he delves into the darker side of relationship and casual interaction. There's little that is predictable here, which is the film's strong point. The viewer is led to watch and guess, and the unexpected turns keep the story edgy and interesting. Just when you think you know what is happening, the plot twists in another direction. The offbeat characters and swift dialogue will draw you in. What is most pleasing about the film is the manner in which the moody, tense atmosphere is maintained throughout. The ending is both disturbing and satisfying, which speaks to the overall dark vision of the film. It moves along at a good pace and the acting is solid all around. If you're looking for a film with a unique and insightful take on human nature, then choose this one.