Southland Tales, the latest movie from Donnie Darko creator Richard Kelly, was savagely trashed by movie critics. I had to check it out to see if there were any redeeming qualities.
It's set in 2008, but in a world very different than ours. A massive terrorist strike on U.S. soil has shocked the nation, and catalyzed dramatic changes in American society. Republicans have used the tragedy to crack down on civil liberties. New branches of government have been created to monitor citizens. In Southern California, left-wing celebrities form a sort of unorganized resistance movement. Oil is in short supply, adding strain to the economy and leading to urgent searches for new energy sources. Media outlets alternate fear-mongering news with sex-obsessed coverage of Hollywood stars. Porn has become mainstream.
Oh wait; that's exactly like our world.
Southland Tales is a complex film, with a plot so opaque it could not be followed, even if it did make sense. It reminded me of certain films from the 1970's like Tommy or A Clockwork Orange that are sprawling, seemingly drug-induced, and non-linear. The characters are well drawn and, for the most part, well acted. Kelly uses a great many comedic actors in dramatic roles (including 4 or 5 SNL alums), and it works.
If I had half a day to spare, I'd read the plot synopsis and figure out what it all was about. But it probably still wouldn't make sense. There are some similarities with Donnie Darko particularly the apocalyptic focus, time travel, strange loops, wounded eyes.
Many of the quotes from this movie are hilarious. My favorite is from Sarah Michelle Gellar's character, who hosts a TV show like The View except with porn stars: "Join us for an in-depth discussion of the penetrating issues facing society today. Issues like abortion, terrorism, crime, poverty, social reform, quantum teleportation, teen horniness and war..." And one of the main characters, a police officer, wears a vest with the letters UPU2 (Unified Police Unit 2?)
Good stuff. I'd stop short of calling Southland Tales a misunderstood masterpiece, but it is worth seeing, especially if you liked Donnie Darko. Just don't expect it to make sense.
