Scotch and Milk

I did not like this film. It was beautifully shot, in black and white, sort of film noir look, but, it never got close to being anything more than a palette for these mid level actors to pretend to be their heroes. These guys are all friends, and, they thought they could make the next Swingers, but, I think in order to achieve that you need to spend a little more time developing the characters. I think this script was written on the toilet in one sitting. That's where it should've stayed.

I saw this at a special screening in Austin, Texas. The place was packed (I guess everyone will show up for a free movie) and barely got in. After I sat through the 2 hour movie, I thought I just saw a bad black & white version of Swingers. Right after the movie, Adam Goldberg was doing a Q&A with the audience, and complaining he couldn't get anyone to pickup the film for distribution. He says that Swingers was filming at the same time Goldberg created this film, and scoffed at that film. You know which film was a success, and which one didn't get the nod. There is a reason why. Scotch & Milk attempted to be an artsy-fartsy film, but almost made me fall asleep. It's a film about relationships, friends, barflies, love, and trying to get out from the rut. The character development never established itself, and the flow of the film was jagged. This film will likely never reach past film festivals and private screenings, and you'll be glad it didn't. Goldberg is a decent actor, but directing.. just let the pros do that.

It would be easy to call this film self-indulgent, pretentious and egocentric but it saves itself from such allegations with some really engaging and witty dialogue - very dry and dark. It is beautifully shot but lacks some pace to what I reluctantly call the story, which is in fact rambling existential angst. I think it is self-conscious enough to know that the under-world of jazz , chain-smoking and greasy hair is instantly cliche ridden and manages, though not all the time, to be inventive enough to avoid inducing embarrassing grimaces or worse, laughs in the wrong places. The lead character you may recognise as Chandler's sinister flatmate in Friends some time ago. I sense him wanting to go down the same path as Vincent Gallo - dying to be an auteur!

Goldman attempts a faux film noir that has some nice cinematic details, but the screenplay avoids character development, leaving nothing of substance to chew on. With lines like "What becomes of a poet who cannot write and his muse tired of poetry?," some of this film is hard to take.

Those who don't know what they are saying shouldn't open their mouths... Phil Maturano a world recognized and respected JAZZ drummer happened to have graced this film with his presence..

Not to mention this is one of Goldberg's first "lower" budget independent films which aided in putting him on the path to becoming a working actor and the opportunity to direct more films.. Come now lets not be so angry and cynical. This film came out around the time of swingers not because of it. I assure you that there are plenty of other films out there about trying to get laid and male "studliness" so lets not compare. This film is shot beautifully. Makes LA look like a hip swinging town( which it's pretty much not). Like most blood, sweat, tears and a LOT of sacrifice evidently went into making this film project. Every piece of art deserves a kind gesture. Watch it for yourself.