If ever there was a movie that defied explanation, it is this one (not counting all of David Lynch's films, of course). I first heard about this movie a few weeks back while watching Ebert & Roeper. The concept struck me as bizarre, almost Willy Wonka-esque, and I decided I had to see it. Problem was, this was clearly a film that was not going to get a wide distribution, as it does not fall into any of Hollywood's formulas. On top of that, there is only one theater around me that would consider screening this and the question was if they would, after all they only have two screens. Fortunately, they did schedule screen time for it, so off I went!
I got there just in time for a showing on Tuesday night. I got my ticket and popcorn and entered the theater. A number of people were already there in the small theater, I found a decent seat towards the front of the theater and sunk down ready for the show to begin. The lights dimmed, and after a couple of false starts from a technical error, the screen lit up and the movie began. Going into this movie, I had no idea what to expect, all I knew was that it was about a contest to find the most melancholy music and it was sponsored by a beer brewery, that it co starred Isabella Rossellini, and that it was in black and white. What would unfurl on the screen was something like I have never seen before.
The style of the movie tries to emulate that of the Silent Era, grainy black and white footage, acting that was over the top, and a look akin to the German surrealists. But unlike the silents, we get to hear the dialogue, no need for title cards. The film has a dreamlike state and exists within its own world, sure there are elements of reality, but it takes place separate from our own.
I read that to help achieve the look of the film, he shot on 8mm film and had it blown up. This gives the film that grainy look. Besides that the sets are more like stage dressing than real locations, helping to create an atmosphere of times past. The film proper claims to take place in Winnipeg in 1933 during the Great Depression.
There are 5 main characters whose future is all interlocked by fate and their ability to perform music. Lady Port-Huntly (Isabella Rossellini) runs a beer brewery, and gets the idea to stage a music competition. After hearing that a London newspaper had named Winnipeg the World Capital of Sorrow for four years running, she sets out to find the saddest music in the world. What better way to fuel one's sorrow, than by drowning it in beer?
Our main competitors are Chester (Mark McKinney), and his lover Narcissa (Maria de Medeiros), enter the contest representing America by staging elaborate musical numbers. There is also Chester's father, Fyodor (David Fox), representing Canada, who plays Red Maple Leaves on an overturned piano. Lastly there is Roderick (Ross McMillan), Chester's brother, a master cellist who conceals his identity behind a black veil and representing the land he now calls home, Serbia. Sound strange yet? It gets better. Lady Port-Huntly has another problem, she lost her legs in a car accident years earlier while with her lover Chester. Fyodor was in love with her as well and inadvertently caused the accident followed up by accidentally cutting off the wrong leg.
The competitors face off one on one with a pair of cheesy announcers and a raucous crowd as the Lady holds court. Each round plays as a face off with alternating, sometimes overlapping performances, complete with buzzer, each winner gets to take a slide into a beer pool.
To say this is a strange movie is an understatement, it is hands down the most bizarre movie of the year, probably longer. The story is great, it plays into this whole dysfunctional family dynamic. I'm not sure if there is any underlying meaning to the story, but the style is great. It is one of those style as substance pieces that actually works.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the strangest gimmick in the film, the Lady's prosthetic legs. She has a pair of legs that are made of glass, but that's not all, they are filled with beer from her brewery. She loves those legs, the smoothness, cool to the touch, and lets not forget the sound of sloshing beer!
In the end it is one of those movies that you have to see to believe. Definitely not for all audiences, but a masterpiece none the less. Fine acting performances, a unique look, and some great humor. If you like cinema-on-the-fringe, keep your eye out for this one if it comes to your town.
Quote-
"Sadness is just happiness turned on it's ass."
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