Wednesday, August 1, 2012

LOWLIFE (2012) review


Lowlife (2012) (1st viewing) d. Smith, Seth (Canada)

A film that defiantly resists categorization or even a simple plot synopsis, this experimental horror effort evokes the spirit of David Lynch by way of William S. Burroughs, with a little of Lars von Trier shaken over for flavor. An unemployed social outcast (Chik White) spends his days drifting from one starfish emission-induced hallucinogenic trip to the next, attempting to emotionally connect with his similarly addicted sometimes companion Darcy Spidle. But reality has no place in this world where deified animals speak in garbled, subtitled tones and goo-dripping mud men appear in the unlikeliest of places. Fiercely original and filled with potent imagery, but perhaps a shade long for the fever dream it is. Or maybe the excessive length is all part of Smith’s discomfiting plan. I just know that coming at the end of a long day, I was admiring the artist while begging for release from the art.

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