The Umbrella Man

I was really pleasantly surprised by this film. The acting is solid, the plot is compelling, the time period: faithfully rendered, the idea is original, and the cinematography is exceptional. Some very impactful editing as well. Lots of emotion, good character development, etc.

I was really impressed by the way it all came together at the end - so rare to see a film with a strong, satisfying ending.....

Recommended for people looking for something a bit different.

Since this is meant for people who remember the Kennedy assassination, but need closed captioning! CC MUST be on ALL videos!

I am a huge fan of many things. One is independent films and the second is the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Went to TRFF to see Foxcatcher (which is whole other review - snooze-fest) and this was also one of the features playing. Shot on a shoestring budget of around (I'm guessing) 500 - 750k. A small budget on a period piece means several things. One is it isn't going to be great costume wise and 2, you'll be paying many of the actors nothing. At any rate, the plot and story have potential but not in the hands of this director (or AD staff). The acting is what you'd expect from a movie this low budget. No one had a break away performance and some of the extras looked like they just decided to walk aimlessly in the scenes. Had this been the hands of a capable director, it would be a good low budget indie. But as it stands now, its better off a stage play.

Locally produced films can be hit or miss at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Film Festival. While everyone expected Foxcatcher to be this year's great local hit, there wasn't a lot of advanced buzz for The Umbrella Man. But this much lower budget film delivered and the audience loved it. Umbrella Man is wonderfully acted, especially Carter Roy's performance. Much like the much loved time travel movie "Primer," Umbrella Man deftly weaves a fairly simple concept into a complex story as obsession and grief battle within Roy's character. This film has great heart and is wonderfully entertaining. Certainly those interested in the Kennedy assassination will want to see it, but there's far more to enjoy.

For me, The Umbrella Man is a movie focussing on a character who is in total denial of personal tragedy and loss. Because of this, he is willing to consider any form of distraction, leading him to an obsession of something completely unrelated. His struggle makes parts of the film a bit hard to watch. The character struggles and exhibits escalating, self-destructive behaviour. At first, the film only hints at the backstory. During the course of the film, we watch the character going to extremes and totally alienating himself from those who love him. It's a wild, unpredictable ride, with some tumultuous turns, as his life seems to be going downhill, and his grip on reality is questionable. A great watch, engaging and unpredictable. In the end, to me, it all comes together in a few simple words, uttered by Jackie Kennedy. What better way to end a journey!?