1123. Elephant

Elephant
2003
Directed by Gus Van Sant

Since I have exhausted all the horror movies on the List, we must content ourselves with uber disturbing films for the remainder of Spooktober. Elephant, which is about a school shooting, certainly falls into that category. Should make for a really fun month.

So like I said, this film chronicles the events surrounding a school shooting in Portland, Oregon, that is heavily based on the Columbine shooting. It has the disconcerting feel of being a documentary. 

Americans have to live with the fear of school shootings everyday, or at least we did until COVID-19 (hurray for progress!).  It's not a subject you want to live in for a movie's runtime. I also think there is something to what Sue Klebold, Dylan Klebold's mother, says. These kind of movies perpetuate the myth of Columbine. I was deeply uncomfortable with some of the specific details they chose to include that were clearly in reference to Columbine. It almost felt like an homage.

I get that the point of the movie was to make you feel unsettled, and possibly complicit in whatever violence you witnessed.  They effectively built up to a brutal climax very slowly. I mean really slowly. That piano scene went on forever. But I could have done without watching this one.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Much of the movie was improvised.

Based on a short story by Harmony Korine and a friend of Gus Van Sant. I'm surprised the List hasn't forced Korine on us more. My film professors loved him. 

834. My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho
1991
Directed by Gus Van Sant

Everyone always criticizes Keanu Reeves for his acting ability, but he was pretty outstanding in this.  And in Dangerous Liaisons and The Matrix, he was...fine.  So see?  Point proven.

Mike is a gay prostitute, whose "services" are sometimes interrupted by fits of narcolepsy.  Thankfully, he is often aided by his friend Scott.  Scott is also a prostitute, even though he has a rich inheritance to fall back on.  Presumably, he wants to piss off his father, although he might have taken the whole "adolescent angst" bit a little too far.  Mike yearns to find his mother, who he often dreams about, and Scott agrees to help him look.

This is an odd movie.  At times, it seems quite normal, but then the director would do something strange, like having the magazine covers talk to the audience.  It could have felt uneven, but it ultimately worked for me.  Apparently, it was inspired by Henry IV and you can definitely see Shakespearean qualities in the characters.

My only complaint is the ending, as it broke my heart but I can't really blame the filmmakers for that.  Still, I just wish that for once a gay couple in a movie could have a happy ending.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

River Phoenix wrote the campfire scene.

For the American video release, the front cover of the jacket showed River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves both with women, in order to market it as a straight film.

801. Drugstore Cowboy

Drugstore Cowboy
1989
Directed by Gus Van Sant

I really don't like movies concerning drugs, although I suppose with Requiem for a Dream and Trainspotting looming, I shouldn't complain just yet.

Bob is an extremely superstitious drug addict, who fuels his habit by robbing hospitals and pharmacies. He is aided by his wife, his friend, and his friend's girlfriend.  After an unexpected (well unexpected to them at least) overdose, Bob vows to go straight.

This film will be disturbing to anyone who knows people that suffer from addiction (so basically everyone) as the director really taps into the desperation and sadness of these characters.  I suppose the comedy works somewhat well in this, but the film's themes are so depressing that it is hard to laugh at or with the people onscreen.

Sorry for the short review, but I just want to move on from this one.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Number two on Roger Ebert's list of Best Films of 1989.