Starring: Robert John Burke, Bill Sage, Karen Sillas, Holly Marie Combs, Martin Donovan, Elina Löwensohn.
Running time: 105 minutes
Rating: 15
Extras: Upon Reflection: Simple Men & An Interview With Hal Hartley
It is hard to believe, but before Robert Burke played the devious Bart Bass on CW’s teen hit GOSSIP GIRL, he was a regular cast member of Hal Hartley’s indie films; one of the most well known being SIMPLE MEN, which was also entered for competition in 1992’s Cannes Film Festival.
SIMPLE MEN is a weird old road trip movie following two brothers as they are trying to find their father after he escapes from prison. If you’re expecting a whole load of shenanigans you’d be completely wrong, even if parts of SIMPLE MEN do appear out of the blue – like the random monologues and a mechanic busting out a guitar solo outside a garage. If you have never seen a film directed by Hal Hartley, he is known for his abstract and vague direction, putting his creations in real life settings, creating a naturalism and showing the absurdities of life itself.
The cast are perfect for the film; Robert Burke and Bill Sage have the dynamic of estranged brothers to a tee with Sage playing the optimistic Dennis, determined to find his father as he enters college with a scholarship, whilst Burke’s characters life falls apart around him. Also keep a look out for the debut performance from Holly Marie Combs, whose role in the film made the transition from child star to starlet.
Hartley always manages to get the right mood for his films. Accompanied by stringent guitar music throughout and the unadorned cinematography he gives the film a realism it needs, and makes moment like the gang dance to Sonic Youth believable, rather than the cliché dance moments you tend to see in 90s films.
SIMPLE MEN is an acquired taste, but if you love your Indies real and honest, Hal Hartley’s look at life is the way to go.
EXTRAS: Talks with the cast and crew of SIMPLE MEN gives in depths look at how the film came around and provides an interesting insight on how Indies worked in the 90s. Great watch for the behind the scenes buff.
TV and Theatre Nerd who will always try and give you a good opinion, unless it is something to do with Bloc Party, then it will be completely biased. Favourite films include: HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, ALMOST FAMOUS AND MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO.
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