interMission (2002/2004)
In many ways, "interMission" is
like a thousand other films out there, except with
Irish accents. This is often your typical "Reservoir
Dogs" offspring about a group of young guys who decide
to pull a heist. It rips off "Natural Born Killers"
and has a (yawn) newscaster following around a cop
so there's lots of documentary style TV news video
footage. There's also the requisite loud soundtrack
music assaulted with alt_pop songs throughout the
film. But thanks to a witty, albeit sophomoric script,
good acting, and a heart in the right place, the film
ends up coming out winningly.
The draw here is Colin Farrell,
who starts the film off on the wrong note with a scene
of violence against a woman. Although it is supposed
to be witty and cleaver and edgy, it is, of course,
repugnant. Farrell looks hot and plays up to his type
as a tattooed bad boy. Hell, he even sings "I Fought
the Law" over the end credits.
The real star of the film is Cillian
Murphy, who is quickly establishing himself as one
of the hottest and best young actors out there. Last
seen as Scarlet Johansson's butcher- boy love-interest
in "The Girl with the Pearl Earring," he is here a
forlorn lover trying to make it through a break-up
with a girl who has left him for an older man.
This is a film as obsessed with
sex as it is violence. While there are several disgusting
scenes and discussions, including a shot of vomit
and a discussion of scatalogical sex, the film can
also be witty and tender when it comes to these moments.
Cillian's John's best friend is Oscar (David Wilmot),
a young man searching desperately for love and affection.
A scene with the two in a bar that caters to older
ladies (i.e. sure things) is quite amusing and enjoyable.
And although the film's script can
be quite typical, it also has interesting and unusual
moments. Colm Meany's cop is the bad guy here. The
newscaster who wants to do a story on him faces a
producer who wants him to do "softer" news. It's a
reversal on the stereotypical journalist fighting
(or embracing) a system that glorifies violence and
gore. Murphy and Wilmot also have to fight as viscious
boss, but this evolves into the film's plot and into
a hilarious ending.
If I have any problem with the film
it's that cutie Murphy has to wear a mask covering
his face for about 10 minutes in the film. That is
certainly a mistake.
Notes:
Also with Colm Meany and Shirley
Henderson.
Directed by John Crowley. Producers
include Neil Jordan and Stephan Wooley.
Several Celtic musicians are mentioned
by name and their music appears in places in the film.
Other pop songs by U2, Ron Sexsmith, and Spandau Ballet
among others.
The film was nominated for and won
several Irish Film Awards.
Released in Ireland in 2003 and
in the USA in 2004.
Viewed at SXSW
in Austin in March 2004 at the Millenium Youth
Entertainment Complex.
