Movie Review: “Hello Lonesome” (+)
June 1, 2011
This film got an interesting and positive review from Stephen Holden in The New York Times. He wrote:
“Hello Lonesome, Adam Reid’s smart, poignant trilogy of interwoven vignettes, manages the considerable feat of creating six fully human characters who are quirky enough to transcend the stereotypes found in a typical indie film. Except for a young couple who rush headlong into a relationship after connecting on the Internet, the rest dwell in the uncomfortable limbo of the lonely unattached.
“The feature directorial debut of Mr. Reid – who also produced, wrote and shot the film – Hello Lonesome was self-financed on a $50,000 budget and completed in 15 days, and it has won a number of awards at regional film festivals. Structurally, it is a Checkhovian mosaic, similar to Rodrigo Garcia’s films in its attention to minute personal detail but somewhat lighter in tone. Its main flaw is a compulsion to tie up its stories too neatly.”
I didn’t know who Rodrigo Garcia was until I looked him up on Google. I now know that amongst other accomplishments he directed several episodes of the HBO series “Six Feet Under” which I loved. I don’t agree with Holden’s description of this film as a mosaic, however, Chekhovian or otherwise. In Robert Altman and Woody Allen films, everyone ultimately connects and falls into the six degrees of separation that seems to affect most of our relationships. This picture is different in that a number of totally separate relationships are presented.
The acting of everyone is highly professional. The smallest part, performed by Kamel Boutros playing Omar, was the most realistic and in a way the most enjoyable for me.
The relationship between an elderly widow, Eleanor (Lynn Cohen), and a neighbor half her age, Gary (James Urbaniak), was less believable but interesting to see played out.
Finally, Bill (Harry Chase), a voice-over actor in the film was extremely well done, even if not particularly attractive to the audience or at least to me.
The night I saw the film, Adam Reid appeared on stage with most of the actors to take questions. The audience was very supportive with the exception of one guy who gave him a hard time. He made no points, however, and simply added to the support of Reid.
“Hello Lonesome” is not a great picture but considering that it was put together in 15 days and cost only $50,000, it is phenomenal. Reid could have charged the film to two of his credit cards. All in all, it is worth seeing simply to be able to say you saw the picture and appreciated Reid’s talent before he became famous.
Henry Stern said: “The film’s distinction lies in its parallel plots, with loneliness its leitmotif. The picture is very well made, considering its short shooting time and its minimal budget, which makes “The Blair Witch Project” look like “Cleopatra” (which, adjusted for inflation, is said to be the most expensive film ever made). No question, the picture is a good one compared to many inane or plotless offerings.
“The point of the film is that lonely people are likely to be unhappy, unless they can find companions or strategies to avoid boredom. I kept thinking about “Eleanor Rigby” while waiting for the plots to intersect, but they never did. If you go to see this movie, bring someone with you. And try not to end the evening alone.”
