Review of Surviving Desire (1992) by Anna B — 03 Aug 2010

Hal Hartley is such a fascinating filmmaker. It's funny because everytime I start to watch one of his films, they come off as almost abrasive but usually about 20 minutes into the film, I remember that Harley really is a genius and one of the most fascinating contemporary american filmmakers.

I think it has to do with the fact that all of his films are a sort of Hyper-Reality. Surviving Desire is one of his most philosophical films but goodamn the script is just amazing. Richard Linklater wishes he could write dialogue like Hartley.

I really love Martin Donovan in all of his collaborations with Hartley, but there is something about his character, the collerge professor, who is "surviving desire" which is just great. This film is poetry; its eloquent and beautiful.