Yeah I said it. I enjoyed this more than The Master which I saw on the same day as this. The Master was beautiful in many ways but this movie leaves you with so much more. Justin Bartha deserves an Oscar nomination for bringing this miserable character to life with out making him annoying or any more ridiculous than he needed to be. Donna Murphy was also incredible and deserves all the supporting actress awards that will be bestowed upon others.No one makes movies like Todd Solondz. One of the only true independent filmmakers out there. Shoe string budget, unconventional storytelling, great performances and respect for the audience. Check this out while you have the chance. I would love to see more films like this (that are only released in a handful of cities) receive the accessibility and cost effectiveness of the digital format. Doesn't replace seeing it in the theater but if you live in bum-f*** Utah this might be your only shot.
Abe (Jordan Gelber) works for his dad and lives at home with his parents (Mia Farrow/ Christopher Walken). He still collects toys and hasn't reached his maturity potential. He lives in the shadow of his successful brother (Justin Bartha). At a wedding, Abe meets Miranda (Selma Blair) a shy, overly medicated woman once married to Mahmoud (Aasif Mandvi). Abe is supported by his secretary (Donna Murphy) who becomes his imaginary conscience.
The setting takes place somewhere in New Jersey between Eagles and Giants country. The title "Dark Horse" is a reference to Abe. His dad likes dark horses. i.e. like the old days when the Giants would lose, but cover the point spread. Abe proposes to Miranda on their second meeting, which she ponders over in her medicated state which is apt for the tone of the film:
Miranda: "I want to want you."
Abe: "That's enough for me."
I liked the toy details and shirt selection of Abe. Indie movies pay attention to background details. Although I would have to ask Todd Solondz (writer, director) what real toy collector would remove the Gimli Toybiz figurine from its pack? The "Toys R Us" store logo is blurred out, apparently there being some legal issue. The film gave me a few laughs, worth a view for indie fans. Acting was great.
If you don't like Indie films based on quirky characters with little action, then this is not for you.
Parental Guide: F-bombs. No sex or nudity.Dark Horse is the latest film from Todd Solondz and is a markedly different animal from his previous films. It still maintains his misanthropic spirit but it's lacking much of the provocative material that so often brings attention to his work. That's not to say Dark Horse isn't provocative; it just shows Solondz at his most gentle and forgiving.
Solondz has long had a knack for great opening scenes and this is no exception. Abe (Jordan Gelber), an overweight and balding man, sits at a wedding next to Miranda (Selma Blair). He begins hitting on her, completely unaware of her disinterest. Following her outside, he asks for her phone number and seems oblivious to her obvious reluctance to give it. From here Abe goes home and we see he epitomizes arrested development. He lives with his parents (Christopher Walken and Mia Farrow) in a room filled with action figures, he works for his father but brings nothing to the company, he blames all of his problems on the failings of others; he hates his brother Richard (Justin Bartha), a successful doctor, feeling that he received special attention that Abe didn't. In one scene he reacts childishly after trying and failing to return an action figure that has a scratch mark on it. Despite her obviously medicated state, Abe attempts to court Miranda and eventually asks her to marry him. Meanwhile, whether real or imagined, Abe is often confronted by Marie (Donna Murphy) a much older co-worker at his father's company, who warns Abe of his potentially disastrous decision making.
Much of Dark Horse seems to function in and out of reality and fantasy. Solondz works this creatively to his benefit in one sequence where Abe goes to a store that is clearly Toys "R" Us, but the logo is blurred out (probably due to companies being skeptical of allowing their trademarks in his films). Essentially the film is a coming-of-age story told from Solondz's skewed point of view where, of course, no one actually comes of age. It's his most straight-forward, "friendly" filmmaking effort and the first to really contain a glimmer of hope. Solondz writes the most despicable characters and he seems to take glee in seeing how despicable he can make them. In Dark Horse he seems to like his characters and even sympathize with them. It's a testament to his own ability as writer/director and the acting of Gelber that Abe is made into a tragic character that we actually empathize with as the film progresses. Walken also impresses, in a more subdued role than he's inhabited in some time reminding us that he is an actor capable of subtlety.
While overall much different from Solondz's typical fare, it still solidifies him as an artist at crafting awkwardness and characters who are astoundingly dysfunctional in social situations. It's his most conventional film with many of his familiar themes explored without the dour characters and subject matter. Of course it's still peppered with his penchant for irony and finding the absurdity in real life. If it fails to be as brilliant as his other works it's because it's too simplistic; lacking in the dark complexities of his previous films. It's an impressive display of his range as a filmmaker, but falls short of being a masterpiece. Regardless, Dark Horse is a film that deserves the attention of those who have admired Solondz over the years and even those who gave up trying.
Read Best Reviews of Dark Horse (2011) Here
I liked this film. It reminded me of Solondz film "Storytelling." I like the characters and I like the way they all have faults, some of them more severe than others. It's too bad this film didn't get a wider thearical release. It only stayed in San Diego one week, and I couldn't make it that week. I'm looking forward to purchasing the blu-ray when it is released.Want Dark Horse (2011) Discount?
AWESOME!!!!!!!! my favorite film of the year so so so so good i can't wait to buy it and watch it a million times!Save 20% Off
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