Paranoid Park (2007)

Directed by the (so called) acclaimed Gus Van Sant, Paranoid Park tells the story of a teenage skater whos life is turned upside down when he deals with the murder of a security guard.

It sounds like a simple plot (which it is) and sounds like your typical indi flick; driven by its characters and unique cinematography. But that couldn’t be more from the truth. The reality is a film which is so “Anti-hollywood” that it just comes across as annoying and in the process the story is subsequently lost. Paranoid Park tries to deliver something that has never been seen before; lengthy slow motion shots with an abstract score to match are here there and everywhere but why? It makes no sense, especially when these shots show the protagonist (whos name I didnt know until I looked it up) walking down a corridor after nothing happens.

Its a boring mess of a film whose attempt to be the opposite side of the pond to Hollywood renders the film moot. It makes films like Transformers 2 or Snakes on a Plane look like works of art, because at least they’re films which stick to the plot and have characters who blink.

The actors are lifeless and dull. The main character might have well been a face painted onto a plank of wood, he never even lifts an eyelid even after hes cut someone in half, who in turn just stares blankly back! I never usually get angry with films but Paranoid Park hits the nail on the head.

In summary: This is exactly why I trust Hollywood to entertain me. It’s a film which tries too hard to be a cool out there picture which breaks all the fundamental rules of film making but really they should have stuck with them. Boring and lifeless, I never want to be within 100 yards of it again.