Jay Raskin
"All is well and nothing really has happened." That is how the mysterious Russian Commentary finishes her commentary on the DVD English 2 track of this film.I bought this film for $3 along with two other films at Big Lots, a bargain store. I have been watching many classical movies from the 1930's and 1940's and I was a bit depressed because of the marvelous actors and actresses in those films are dead and I really can't express my appreciation of their talent to them.When I first watched this film, it was late at night and I kept fading in and out. I assumed that I had missed the plot, so I watched the film again the next morning. Only only the second viewing did I understand that I had not nodded out as much as I thought, but I had seen every scene, and the film did not really have a traditional plot.In some reviews, the film is compared with Cassavetes improvisational style, which is correct, but Cassavetes was working with \professionalactors and actresses. In this case, the director is working with friends, although they may be actors and actresses are certainly amateurs. They do not aim at making the scene dramatic. This lends an even greater sense of realism than Cassavetes ever achieved. I understand that the film has started a style of cinema called "mumblecore" or "Slackavettes". For that reason I think it is important, although, I haven't seen any of the other movies that are in the style.I thought Kate Dollenmeyer's lead performance was wonderful. She is very undramatic and this draws one in and makes her more fascinating to watch. Hopefully, she will be in other films.Obviously, one has to have an interest in rather minimalist, low budget art, independent films to enjoy this film. Otherwise... Most movies want you to fall in love with them. This one just wants to be friends. Not such a bad deal.
foibonhomme
It's interesting to see how polarizing this film is. I think Bujalski is one of the most important filmmakers we have around. And I can't wait to see what he does next.To one of the bravest, most talented, most original guys at work. Keep it up.It's guys like Bujalski that I feel are pushing the medium forward and challenging us to think about and look at film in different ways. I'll take FUNNY HA HA over most things any day.I think one day people will go back and FUNNY HA HA will be considered a classic.
d-stauff
I accidentally bought this movie and have no regrets for spending the money - I can now say, "I own the worst movie of all time" and I often do without ever tiring of it. My active distaste for this movie is the most inspiring thing about it. Consider a film that has do discernible direction, below middle-school par acting ability, video and sound recorded with a late 80s direct to cassette video camera, and no original artistry as many reviewers have tried to argue. Lighting and direction couldn't have been considered by someone with an IQ over 65 - if it was, it shouldn't be claimed. I don't have enough bad things to say about it... abrupt beginning and ending, pulpy yet somehow has no substance. It's not even redeemable to people that eat up that crude BS, for it lacks cursing nudity and drugs altogether. If you're thinking, "I've seen some pretty bad movies. I dunno... I doubt that there's a worse one out there." please please please see this movie. It's worse. Much worse.
Billybob-Shatner
After months of hearing how terrible this movie was, I was pleasantly surprised I didn't hate it. At all. Can't say I liked it, but I can see the director having a future in the industry if he plays his cards right.The library that I work at purchased a copy of the movie based on a couple of positive reviews it received. Well, the movie might have played well for some very open minded critics, but the mainstream Americans I talked to purely hated it. And I can see why. It's amateurishly photographed (everything's easy to see and in focus so I'm not going to knock it much in that department), it's not laugh out loud funny, the plot is nominal, the dialog borders on being inarticulate, the characters aren't particularly likable, and it lacks conclusion. But, having seen it, what it does have going for it, is that a fair deal of it does feel very real and down to earth. I was happy to see that most of the characters weren't the typical simplistic sex obsessed of comedies geared to this age range... It had a certain charm for all its subtly and I thought many of the performances worked well enough. That being said, this really isn't for everybody. I'd dare say it's for a very small crowd. If you're a fan of Jarmush, then I'd take a chance on this. If not, know what you're getting into.
AD
