Trouble in Mind

"Trouble in Mind" is one of those movies that only reveals its greatness about the third time you see it; a wealth of details which, on first viewing, strike the perceptive viewer as scatterbrained or irrelevant, unfold on closer inspection into a rich, lushly imagined fantasy world, and dialogue which at first sounds precious or forced becomes endlessly quotable. It's hard to be an Alan Rudolph "fan," as his work is decidedly uneven; but on this picture, which followed the critical and commercial success of "Choose Me," he is at the peak of his powers. And, if none of this convinces you, you should check this one out for the performances, not least among which is Divine's startling turn as coldblooded (male) gangster Hilly Blue (worthy of awards, in a better world than this).

In Rain City, the militia is constantly recruiting. Hawk (Kris Kristofferson) leaves prison and makes his way back to Wanda (Geneviève Bujold) with her diner. Coop (Keith Carradine) and Georgia (Lori Singer) are a newly arrived couple with a baby. Solo (Joe Morton) recruits Coop for various petty crimes. While Coop is gallivanting around town with his ill-gotten gains, Georgia is waitressing and struggling with city life. Hilly Blue (Divine) is a local crime boss.

This is written and directed by Alan Rudolph. He's using Seattle to make it into the neo noir Rain City. It's modern and yet older. It feels like a down and out 70's world or the hard-boiled 50's. It exists out of time. Divine is almost unrecognizable without his drag. The pacing is a little slow. It's a meandering relationship car wreck and crime drama.

Divine, just a couple years before she died. And not in drag for this role! Coop and georgia move to the big city to try to have a better life for their new baby. But the big, shiny city has become tarnished with crime. All the little thugs are expected to give a cut to the bigger thug hilly blue. And these people all meet up at wanda's diner. Female nudity. Adult situations. And some of the songs are done by the awesome marianne faithfull! Gawds i love that scratchy, mournful voice. SO good. The film is okay. It's mostly atmosphere and sad music. Pretty basic story. Kind of another world, like dark city. Fun, in it's own weird way. Written and directed by alan rudolph.

A terrific, quirky film by Alan Rudolph. As an earlier reviewer wrote, he has weird things going on that are never explained. They are just features of his "alternative future". Remember that so much of the world we live in goes by, unexplained. It helps break this film away from the Hollywood-spoonfed blandness.

A real treat not commented on is Keith Carradine. A veteran of Alan Rudolph films, he has a wonderful transformation. Without any commentary, he goes from a rural-type (flannel shirt & jeans) to a denizen of the city (wild clothing, make-up, boufant hairdo). And his behavior gets more bizarre with his change in locale.

Also, watch for one of cinemas most unique murders. Let's just say it involves water, a major feature of the movie, but it takes place in a location you would never fathom.

This is one film I would love to see get the deluxe DVD treatment. Widescreen, director commentary, deleted scenes. It is an overlooked wonder.

Very fine moody film, made after, 'Choose Me' and good as that is I have always preferred this. In many ways (until the end) a fairly quite film with people drifting in and out of each others lives. Laid back they may be but there are great performances from Keith Carradine, Genevieve Bujold, Kris Kristofferson and even the lovely Lori Singer, who has probably never bettered this performance. Despite the strange neo noirish look of the rain drenched, neon light streets and signs of decay there are also hints at some future setting and the ambiguity coupled with Kristoffersen's model making constantly create a dreamlike quality to proceedings. The soundtrack is immaculate and the use of the crackling elder Marianne Faithful inspired. Divine is brilliant as the chief baddie and should the uncultured out there drop off for lack of constant action be assured you will awake at the end.