The Happy Poet (85m)/Toxic Oranges*: A Wall Street Fairytale (10m) reviews
Review by on 25 Sep 2010
I really enjoyed this heart-warming film.
Review by on 18 Sep 2010
What do you get if you cross 'Slacker' with 'Super Size Me'? An Austin resident idealist trying to make the world a better place for him, and the townsfolk of Austin and the future generations by selling veggie food in biodegradable packaging with free samples for all and half measures when requested (and can I have two of those) to a hot dog loving town, with limited financial backing from the capitalist world and assisted only by a fellow slacker drug dealer.
Written, directed and starring Paul Gordon, sweet, charming, cringe-inducing and occasionally laugh out loud funny.
Glassesism pervaded the otherwise poetic idealism as the socially awkward, downwardly mobile Mr Gordon is bespectacled but the cool successful incarnation is glasses free.
Written, directed and starring Paul Gordon, sweet, charming, cringe-inducing and occasionally laugh out loud funny.
Glassesism pervaded the otherwise poetic idealism as the socially awkward, downwardly mobile Mr Gordon is bespectacled but the cool successful incarnation is glasses free.
Review by on 17 Sep 2010
The simple plot of this humorous indie film makes it refreshingly direct and enjoyable. A disenchanted writer, on the verge of becoming one of society’s drop-outs, attempts to claw his way back from slackerdom by setting up a vegetarian organic food stall. A little circle of supporters slowly gathers round the stall, supporters who try to keep Bill (played by the director Paul Gordon) true to his ideals when he is tempted to give in to the clichés of capitalism. Along the way, we are treated to wry insights into the day-to-day frustrations of friendship and romance. The story is told in short, sketch-like episodes, each one opened with a simple piano chord or two to set the mood. There is no other musical score. The lack of distracting elements and the minimalist presentation help keep the focus on the main themes and characters, but the film never feels too earnest. Whilst the film alludes to the ‘literary’ techniques of art-house cinema, there is always a lightness of touch. For example, the central character, Bill, is played with more than a little tongue-in-cheek irony. Prone to self-pity and moroseness, he does not even look particularly healthy! This is perhaps a little surprising given the lusciousness of the food he lovingly prepares, but then if he had visibly glowed with good health, perhaps the film would have been pandering to the superficial values it tries to subvert? Whilst there is a countercultural message to this film, it is definitely one to enjoy for its straightforward entertainment value.
The Poet
The Poet
Film details
The Happy Poet (85m)/Toxic Oranges*: A Wall Street Fairytale (10m)
United States, 2000.
10 mins. English
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