Be Kind Rewind'
Runtime: 100min 16secsTagline: You name it, we shoot it.
Written and Directed by: Michel Gondry
Plot Outline:
Jerry (Jack Black) is a junkyard worker who attempts to sabotage a power plant that he believes is melting his brain. But, when his plan goes awry, the magnetic field that he creates accidentally erases all of the videotapes in a local video store where his best friend Mike (Mos Def) works.
Fearing that the mishap will cost Mike his job, the two friends team up to keep the store's only loyal customer--a little old lady with a tenuous grasp on reality--from realizing what has happened by recreating and re-filming every movie that she decides to rent. From "Back to the Future," to "Robocop," to "Rush Hour," to "The Lion King," Jerry and Mike become the biggest stars in their neighborhood by starring in the biggest movies ever made.
Overall Impressions:
My expectations initially weren't too high for this one. Jack Black tends to entertain & that was pretty much all I expected until I saw the trailer. From this point my interest was piqued. I was intrigued at how they would go about this. The selling-point of the film was the making of these mini films, with Jack Black and Mos Def - both good entertainers at the helm, I was ready for a laugh riot.
This for the most part is what I got. It is an amusing stream of events, with homage's to many numerous classics in the film-world and film-making world. I mean sure I could be a purist and say it was insulting to see the art of film-making made to look so damned easy, but that's not the point really. I did take it in the spirit it's intended and it's fantastic fun, but it's not all chocolates and roses I'm afraid. Let me explain: Even from the trailers, I had the Act I and Act II of the screenplay structure sussed. The magnetism thing coming about erasing all the tapes, the mega-mini-film making.. leading eventually to the 'evil' authorities getting involved .. but then what?
This "then what" part, though handled well, interweaving the b/w snippets early on and hinting at it much before bringing details to the fore, left me a bit disappointed. It didn't have the impact I wished for. I'll add this is the part not mentioned in the synopsis but the story turns in a direction that isn't what I wanted r expected. I don't want to get into spoiler territory, but after much thought I came to an ending in my head that I would have been happier with. The ending we currently get 'could' be interpreted this way I suppose but only marginally. I'm actually torn about it. I wouldn't say it ruins the film, but it certainly dampens its impact.
In the end, the strength I think lies in the cast & their good-spirits here and as far as their performances go, I think both Jack Black and Mos Def were highly functional, pleasantly entertaining in their parts, playing off each other nicely, even all the people of the town gave a homely feel to them, but the performance I took away close to heart was Danny Glover. I couldn't help but empathise deeply with him. A man with much passion for what he has, but getting left behind due to the change in technology and the world around him. I'd say it is purely his character that let me forgive the above stated disappointment.
It's what you expect and a bit more, except the bit more isn't as pleasant and dilutes the impact overall, somewhat. Fortunately, the performances, mini-films and humour allow it to remain a notch above watchable.
I really enjoyed this film, and I really ought to catch up with my reviews on my blog, life just took over for some reason. Hehehe
I love Michel Gondry's quirkiness which we got from Eternal Sunshine but then he worked alongside Kaufman, The Science of Sleep also had it but not as much, but Be Kind Rewind came close, not great, but still a feel good film with a strong community message. And anything with Jack Black in it will almost always entertain, although Mos Def did just as well.