I guess since I am the first person to put a review up for this movie, I shouldn't dump all over it. I honestly do not know what to think of this film.
This is not the type of movie most people like, but that does not mean it can not be good.
On a whole, it came off much like a trip, drug or psychosis based, very unstable and peculiar; the fourth wall was broken. It is at times a comedy, a tragedy, a documentary; the focus shifts numerous times as does the cinematic style and tone and story.
It was narrated in parts and in some of the most confusing sequences, you are left to your own mind. I spend a lot of time analyzing things. This movie still doesn't make total sense to me and I'm not sure if it is because I am missing something or reading too far into it. I think it might be clearer in a few days, but I wanted to leave a positive review now to perhaps convince a few people to check the movie out if they get a chance.
The film starts with an idea: The 100th Monkey phenomenon, which states that after a certain number of people learn or partake of an idea, a critical mass is reached and that idea is pushed out into all of that species, instantly, and becomes universal. Everyone knows that thing once a certain number of people know it.
Warren (Dan Fogler), unemployed artist, pot head, has crazy dreams. That is the only remarkable thing about him until a day comes when a crazy homeless man confronts him on the street. From that day on, Warren descends into himself, insanity and a confusion of mind and body, spurned on by drugs along with Doomsday and conspiracy theories.
Searching for a purpose, he starts interviewing people on topics of the 2012 apocalypse, nwo, cia, illuminati, lizard people and every possible conspiracy theory--BUT, that drive and initial plan are lost and soon Warren loses control of himself, falling deeper into the trip and chaos of his mind.
What is real? What is actually happening? Are we seeing what Warren sees or is it the actual truth? Did he lose himself because he was touched by some random weirdo; was he always teetering on the line of sanity.
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"Don Peyote" was written and directed by Dan Fogler. If I had more time this week I would find a copy of his first movie "Hysterical Psycho" just to get a sense of what his style is like.
One thing is for sure, this movie is important to him and whenever a person cares about something, us humans owe it them to give it a chance and show it due respect.
That said, I honestly don't know how to feel about the film.
1. IMDb's actor rating system is screwed up. Looking at the page of 'Don Peyote' you think the main actors are Anne Hathaway and Jay Baruchel. They make appearances, but they are not the stars.
2. This is Dan Fogler's movie and since I find him hilarious, I did not feel slighted checking this movie out.
I had a couple of feelings and theories regarding the story, but I am not sure whether they should be said; or if they constitute spoilers.
There are people out there, we all know them. The one guy who thinks the world is going to be over by the years end. The girl who thinks mercury in fish is poisoning everyone; the couple who hordes food; the pot-head friend who always talks about the illuminati.
We live in a world where people have little purpose outside of themselves and there are so many shaded 'threats', dangers lurking behind buildings and in the empty places of cut down woods.
As people, do we feel the need to speak of these things, to convince people of what we believe, make sure enough know to trigger the '100th Monkey Phenomenon' and help this world?
"Don Peyote" was a descent, the visualization of a man going crazy, seen from his perspective. It was a crazy movie. It was supposed to be crazy and I liked it. But I like surreal and weird and new stuff. I have never seen a movie quite like Don Peyote.
If you decide to see this movie...see it. Actually watch it, rather than compare it to other movies you like the entire duration.
