Review of Fay Grim (2007) by Cierra J — 06 Aug 2007

As cliched as it is to say, "Fay Grim" took the story of "Henry Fool" and turned perceptions around, much as 9/11 changed the perceptions of many Americans, for better or for worse. Whereas "Henry Fool" dealt with artists' creativity, both the actual process and the self-congratulatory blather associated with it, "Fay Grim" is about paranoia... especially with regards to how perceptions of individuals can change in today's political climate, and the acknowledgment that much of the United States high standard of living may be due to some none-to-pleasant dealings. Some themes are the same through both, such as the ambivalent feelings one has towards a less-than-suitable mate, and how infamy is used by media producers. Much like most of Hartley's films that I enjoy, I will have to watch this one or two more times before I think I "get it".

It is nice to see Hal Hartley returning to form, considering the lackluster mediocrity of his more recent films such as "No Such Thing" and "The Girl from Monday".