American Parents Uncovered

As a Netflix addict, I love the fact that I can get virtually any independent film ever created in my mailbox in just a few days. Being that Whorelando (despite being the 23rd largest "city" in the U.S, most of the truly great films pass us by entirely. We are a mecca for the Arts here in Central Florida (sneers).

So it was with much anticipation that I awaited the release of THE CHUMSCRUBBER. It starred the kid from Billy Elliott (Jamie Bell has an amazing American accent --- maybe Colin Farrell should study him, by the way) and a list of A and B list stars in what looks to be a great ensemble piece.

I have to say I was floored by this film.

It. is. Amazing.

A lot of the people that posted it and bashed it compared it to the incredible AMERICAN BEAUTY and the better than average but overrated DONNIE DARKO. The cynical look at surburbia, the clueless parents, the score of the movie. Yes, it is all similar, but get over it.

This is a teenage movie. Without being a teenage movie. There are no people having sex with pies, and no ugly ducking becoming a beauty at the prom. Instead this movie captures the angst and isolation of being a kid today with a great deal of humor to boot.

At the beginning of the film, Jamie Bell (Dean) discovers his best friend has committed suicide yet does not mention this to anyone, thinking no one would care. Of course, this isolates him even more amoung his family and friends and Dean becomes a target of Billy (Justin Chatwin) who wants the drugs that the dead kid had stashed. Since Dean was the dead kids friend, he kidnaps Deans "younger brother" to get him to comply.

I loved the poke at surburbia where the dead kids Mom had her kids memorial service the same day as a wedding took place. Right across the street from each other in this neighborhood. And the tough decisions it made for the surbanites:

MOM: That is hardly appropriate to wear to a memorial service.
DAD: Yea, you know, I was thinking of bouncing over to the wedding instead.

Shakespeare said that there is always a wedding in a comedy and a funeral in a tragedy. You get both with THE CHUMSCRUBBER. It manages to be darkly funny, while heart wrenching agonizing at the same time.

And the cast? OMG. Ralph Fiennes as the soon to be wed mayor. Glenn Close as the mom whose kid killed himself . William Fichtner as the pop psychologist that keeps his kids medicated. John Heard as the clueless and obsessive ex husband. Lauren Holly as the socialite bride to be. Allison Janney as the unappreciated Mom. Carrie-Anne Moss as the sex kitten Mom. and Justin Chatwin. Just for being so fucking hot.

Amazing. Next to CRASH, the best ensemble piece of the year. It's not perfect, but pretty damn close.

* * * * 1/2 out of * * * * *

Now, about Justin Chatwin......

"The Chumscrubber" was the second thing I have seen recently (the first being the first episode of "Weeds" that I have stopped and hopped onto IMDB to see who the hottie was. I have to admit, I wasn't that impressed with him in W O T Worlds, but I like the punked out Justin Chatwin better ....

You decide below...