Review of Disco Pigs (2001) by Lexie H — 24 May 2010

[font=Book Antiqua][b]Title: [/b]Disco Pigs[/font].

[font=Book Antiqua][b]Year: [/b]2001[/font].

[font=Book Antiqua][b]Director: [/b]Kirsten Sheridan[/font].

[font=Book Antiqua][b]Stars:[/b] Elaine Cassidy, Cillian Murphy[/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]Good things can come out of ridiculous celebrity crushes. After having my heart stolen away by Cillian Murphy's Dr. Jonathan Crane in [i]Batman Begins[/i], I put [i]Disco Pigs[/i] in my Netflix queue. Excellent move on my part.[/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]I am unfamiliar with the source material for the film (which is based on a play), but the episodic structure of the film--which bothered some critics--did not upset me at all. The abrupt changes have the effect of keeping the viewer on his or her toes and contributes to the "something is a bit off here" atmosphere that makes perfect sense for the film.[/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]The basic plot: Pig (Murphy) and Runt (Cassidy) were born around the same time on the same day, and developed an extremely close relationship--an unhealthy relationship. Just before they are set to turn seventeen, Runt's parents, who have been told that she is salvageable (unlike Pig), send her away to a trade school. While the separation is difficult at first, it is clear that Runt is starting to open up, and that she can, indeed, be saved. Pig is a different case. Distraught, he goes off to find Runt and bring her back...[/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]Look, anyone with three brain cells to rub together knows this isn't going to end well. Pig is clearly off his rocker, and we know that his escalating violence will lead to something ugly. I think Cillian Murphy is about the hottest thing around and I wouldn't have gone [i]near[/i] Pig. He was terrifying and never do you think, "Wow, it's awesome that he does this for love!" or "Yeah--go for it; the world just doesn't understand." And yet...I felt his pain, as it were. This film genuinely moved me. During Pig's monologue about what it would be like to make love with Runt for the first time and during the fantastic "King and Queen" sequences, I really wanted to cry. [/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]The awkwardness of the characters in the film pulled at my heartstrings as well. While I have almost nothing concretely in common with Runt, we are both late bloomers in terms of developing a social circle (thankfully her case was a bit more drastic than mine), and I empathized strongly with her. The young man who played Runt's new interest was also effective: sweet and awkward. In my opinion, this is exactly the type of boy that someone in Runt's situation would like.[/font].

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[font=Book Antiqua]The film does suffer from moments of pretension and some existentialist ramblings/wanderings that could have used better grounding and completion, but this unusual film is one that I will strongly consider adding to my personal collection. [/font].