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Sunday, April 24, 2005

Film review: Igby Goes Down.

Not a new release, this time, but an oldie. IMDB labels it as being released in 2002, but I can't remember ever seeing this in local theatres, so I didn't get a chance to see it until today.

Igby Goes Down

I'll start with a short summary: Igby Goes Down is the tale of a 17-year-old misfit boy who copes with his mother's odd behaviour and his father's insanity by happily flunking out of several Prep Schools. Truly an intellectual, Igby is a modern day Holden Caulfield, and the world he lives in is far removed from the high standards of expectation he and the people around him hold for it. (IMDB)

The acting in this little film, writer/director Burr Steers' first attempt, is wonderful on all parts; Kiernan does a superb job playing the part of Igby, a drug taking, smart-mouthing and surprisingly innocent adolescent reminiscent of Holden Caulfield; Claire Danes, Ryan Philippe, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Goldblum, Amanda Peet, Bill pullman (quite the cast, when you think about it) all play well developed and interesting characters who, along with adding to the plot, also help us to see further into the mind of Igby. Casting, in my opinion, was superb.

Igby Goes Down

Contrary to popular belief, this is not a comedy. The subject matter is often heavy and dramatic, but the dialogue is so laden with great clever lines and witty retorts (mostly by Igby), that you can't help laughing at the earnestness of the main character, as well as some of the situations he keeps getting himself into. If you're looking for an in-depth look into the human psyche, or a side-splittingly funny comedy, you're not going to find it here; but if you want a compelling and personal story with some top-quality acting performances, check this one out.

This film received a great deal of critical attention when it was released in the US three years ago, but it hasn't received the kind of general attention that I think it deserves. I believe that over time more and more people will discover this film; it is far too good to be forgotten. Eventually, it should establish a significant fanbase, and could possible become a great teen cult film, much like the (ever so slightly) comparable Donnie Darko. If not, it still is a phenomenal film that deserves as many viewers as it can get

Igby Goes Down

Too sum up, Igby Goes Down is a thought provoking little masterpiece with all round excellence in all departments. It might not win any awards (in fact, it didn't), but this film provokes us to think about life in a way that not many films seem to be capable of in recent years. Well worthy of watching, and well worthy of any praise it might receive in years to come.

A 79 out of 100.

Cheers

2 Comments:

Blogger Martin said...

Try to see this, it's really great - Igby's a mixture of Holden Caulfield and Ferris Bueller.

Haven't seen Garden State as of yet, but once I do, you'll be (among) the first to know.

Cheers

11:47 pm  
Blogger Martin said...

I will.

But not today.

Cheers

7:36 am  

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