Since
I'm one of the only people in the free world that actually liked Emilio Estevez's
directorial debut Wisdom, I thought there was a darn good chance that I would
like this new bio pic on the infamous Mitchell Brothers (they made the adult film
Beyond the Green Door).
Estevez
not only directed the film but also starred alongside his real life brother Charlie
Sheen. Rated X chronicles the lives of these nutty siblings from their early days
to the rough times in which both brothers have become wealthy drug addicts. The
film ends with a tragedy that actually occurred.
Estevez
shoots in an erratic style that echoes Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers. It's
also hard to dispute the Boogie Nights comparison. The problem is, Rated X is
a big disjointed mess. In fact, the only moments with any resonance are the ones
that involve the brothers trying to kick drugs. Perhaps that hit a little too
close to home for Charlie. That aspect of the film was admirable but I would have
rather seen a film devoted to that subject. Rated X has no focus.
Estevez
shot the film for Showtime and that's probably a good thing. If it were a big
screen venture, it would probably tank!
