If I Had a Hammer

It is a down right shame that this, easily the best film by it's notoriously outspoken director, has still not found a means of distribution (outside of being up in 13 parts on you tube...not an ideal way to enjoy it's beautiful production value).

What I enjoy so much about this film is how different it is, both technically and aesthetically from the regular indie style most are accustomed to. There's no improvisation in a Becker film and while that's worked for some (Cassavetes, Jost, Leigh, etc.) most of the time it can come dangerously close to falling flat for an audience. Becker works like a poor man's Billy Wilder, filling his films with doses of humor, believable dialog, high production standards and perfectly structured scripts. This film, a not so sly jab at the dumbing down of art/music/film (entertainment in general) is a joy, shot on gorgeous 35mm with a wonderful cast of unknowns (probably the big reason for it's non-secured distribution status). It may not be a work of genius, but it's at least saying something. What was the last thing on the mind of Tarantino or Rodriguez?

Well worth the effort of seeking out.