Sweaty Betty

In the perpetual quest for ever higher production values, today's mainstream movies are boringly predictable. The power of films in the faux-documentary style such as Sweaty Betty is that they are, if anything, completely unpredictable. This film is pure, raw filmmaking, proudly bearing all its rough edges for all to see. Clearly, the movie has the spirit of Ozu, in that it focuses us on very intimate stories of normal people's lives, without any sentimentality or melodrama. The intentionally low quality of the video introduces the camera-as-character, drawing us further into the story. Having said that, I think that the lack of a tripod was the single most negative factor. The shaky camera work hurts the eyes over the 90 minute run of the film.

Seriously, I wish I could give this movie an vote of 11 stars! It's that good! I don't know why the low score here, people. I really enjoyed this one! Toodle-loo!