|
|
 |
Sorry, Haters
R1 - America - Genius Products Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (22nd August 2006). |
|
The Film
 The events of 9/11 changed the world, it was particularly devastating to the city of New York, in the almost 5 years since the event the film industry has recently started telling stories revolving around a post 9/11 climate. Spike Lee made reference to it in both "The 25th Hour" (2002) and his recent film "Inside Man" (2006), Paul Greengrass took us inside the flight "United 93" (2006) and Oliver Stone has employed the services of a moustache-clad Nicolas Cage to tell his story of "World Trade Center" (2006). To a smaller degree we also have the indie films such as Jeff Stanzler's "Sorry, Haters" which spins a very different take on the effects of 9/11 which is purely window dressing for a story that revolves around Phoebe (Robin Wright Penn) a troubled woman who hates herself and what she has become. One night Phoebe gets into Ashade's (Abdel Kechiche) cab. Ashade is an Arab man from Syria, she soon discovers his plight and who he's trying to get his brother out of Syria while taking care of his wife and daughter. Phoebe offers her help but eventually leads to disastrous results. "Sorry, Haters" is one of the many new digital features being produced by Indigent (Independent Digital Entertainment), shot entirely on location in New York City, Stanzler doesn't make reference to 9/11 until we have had ample time to meet and understand both of the main characters. Phoebe is an accountant for a music television channel, Q-Dog, she has remained as their accountant for 11 years while her friend Phyllis (Sandra Oh) who started working there at the same time rose to become one of the executives. Phoebe has grown deeply discouraged by her work and also the world around her, hating everything and anything that is both confident and successful. Ashade has a P.H.D. in chemistry but drives a cab in the city, his brother was deported back to Syria because his name was found to be linked to someone on an FBI watch list. Even though he didn't do anything wrong he was deported regardless. Meanwhile his wife Eloise and baby daughter are being looked after by Ashade as he tries to save money for a lawyer to look into his brother's case. Throughout the course of the film we eventually learn that Phoebe has been deeply effected by 9/11 but not in the traditional sense, she was empowered by it, because for the first time in her life, everyone else was on-par with her. On her level. Robin Wright Penn plays the character with a certain complexity that is astonishing. Her performance is the stand-out feature of this film, because you are never sure whether her character is playing Ashade...she delivers her lines with such conviction that you do believe it. On the other side is Abdel Kechiche, an actor (and according to IMDB also a director) who delivers an equally impressive turn, but what was surprising is that for an American film we have Arabs portrayed as hard working, loving and in a light that is not negative. And that living in a post 9/11 climate the lives of Arabs have become so entirely fragile that one single act can destroy their lives. Stanzler did a fine job in crafting these characters and directing natural and realistic performances form his cast leading up to the film's unpredictable and twisted ending. It was because of this ending that I wasn't entirely taken by the film, I felt it was entirely too abrupt, it came out of nowhere and felt out of place at first. After several viewings I got used to the idea but only because I was able to analyse Phoebe's character more, in fact a second viewing is almost required to pick up the little things her character does that provides an insight into her state of mind. There is a key scene near the end, where Phoebe breaks down and reveals herself to Ashade, after all the things she put him through he still sympathises with her and stays the night. I found his change of attitude towards her totally unbelievable considering the pain and personal suffering he endured by her actions. Throughout the course of the film Stanzler tries to make several social comments in the film, one of which is the TV celebrity culture, this takes the form of the television channel that Phoebe works for, Q-Dog. While this is a valid statement to make I also felt that this was somewhat out of place among the drama that was unfolding in both these character's lives and distracts the viewer from what is the main storyline. "Sorry, Haters" is a bold effort that is mired by a quick wrap-up. I was blown away by the performances which is one reason to see it, I'm sure this film will inspire conversation so I urge you to see it in a group, it will be all the more satisfying under those circumstances.
Video
Presented in a widescreen ratio of 1.78:1, this transfer presents the film in all its digital glory. This transfer appears to have been created from the original digital source as the image is infinitely sharp as only digital can deliver. Colors are flat and night shots appear grainy. I noticed some minor pixels throughout the film and some edge-enhancement otherwise the transfer presents the film adequately.
Audio
This film includes only one audio track, an English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track. I found that dialogue was clear and distortion free, however I never felt totally immersed by this soundtrack. The surround channels where active occasionally, mainly during the exterior shots to provide some short of atmosphere, otherwise it was rather underwhelming. On the other hand it is a predominantly dialogue driven film and for that purpose the track does its job. The film has some French language spoken, for these scenes English subtitles are bruned into the print. Optional subtitles are also included in English for the hearing impaired and Spanish.
Extras
Audio commentary by writer/director Jeff Stanzler and actress Robin Wright Penn. This track is not entirely screen-specific, although some comments are made regarding what is happening onscreen. The director shares stories from the products and add insight into the characters and their frame of mind. He further comments on the motivations and direction in which the story goes. He is quite concise with his information and occasionally goes into detail. The director takes control of this commentary and Robin Wright Penn occasionally is allowed to comment although she doesn't really add a whole lot. Next up is the 'IFC round table discussion' hosted by actor Tim Robbins, this clip runs for 14 minutes 14 seconds. The participants include artists/filmmaker Julian Schnabel, professor of film/writer Paul Thompson, editor of Esquire magazine Lisa Hintelmann and actress Mary-Louis Parker. Robbins keeps the discussion moving as they talk about key aspects regarding the film and share their thoughts and the importance of the film and its subject. Overall I was a little disappointed with the lack of extras on this disc, considering this is a small independent affair I can give it come slack.
Overall
|
|||||
|