Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Indie # 5 - The Boondock Saints

The Boondock Saints. Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe.

While watching this movie w/the commentary, I learned it was not released in the USA due to its violence and the close proximity to Columbine. However, the film did well overseas and has become a cult classic on DVD.

Can you say vigilante?

While vigilante themes are nothing new, this movie has superb performances and Willem Dafoe's detective character was quite original and amusing. He listens to opera while researching a crime scene, he sends his subordinates out for coffee and errands every time they answer a question wrong, and he's human enough that we feel for him.

Troy Duffy, the writer/director, went the extra step with Dafoe's character, giving him traits and quirks as well as street smarts. The result, an originality aura and the audience likes him. There was some snappy dialogue as well.

While I love watching behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews w/cast, etc., I'm not usually patient enough to watch the commentary, except when it's a Tom DiCillo film. Perhaps because he includes tidbits and reasoning for scenes, and is entertaining to listen to. Other film commentaries seem to be written for the Valium crowd.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Boondock Saints. For those of you who don't like bullets and blood, be forewarned. I only say this because of movies I've had to walk out of due to the torture element. I can cope with a great deal on screen, but no torture. Not even a hint of it. But if bullets don't bother you, this is a great film to check out on the Indie List.

More tomorrow!

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