I remember reading the somewhat positive review of this film
about a year and a half ago in Variety and seeing Adam Goldberg's
name attached to it, who I hold a place in my critical heart for his
appearance in Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused, I wanted to
see this film badly.
I wish I could dampen my enthusiasm a few notches in retrospect.
Scotch & Milk ultimately will remind many of the much better
Swingers, a film I still think was a better screenplay than film, but
even though Milk is more expressionistic and arty, this doesn't
mean its a better film in the long run.
I really do think this film was made for the sole fact to see if the
camera worked. The film rambles from one improvisational set
piece to another, further strengthens the argument against
smoking and drinking, and really doesn't say much that Swingers
or even more to the point, Barbet Schroeder's Barfly, didn't say
better.
I caught this film recently on the Sundance channel and I do agree
with the American Cinematography writer's laudable comments
regarding Milk's look but even some trash manages to look pretty
that doesn't mean it's better. I hope Goldberg has a better film in
him in the years to come.
