Review of Fox and His Friends (1975) by Visitorq S — 22 Apr 2010

Fox and his Friends is an incredible piece of filmmaking. While it isn't as obscure as most of Fassbinder's work, it's equally as retrospective and allegorically provocative. His usual perks are still there with the ultra awkward random scores playing a contrast to what's on the screen as well as random sayings to close scenes by random extras that have strange moral themes. The stage direction and scene entrances/exits are what really put Fassbinder in the prodigious class of young filmmakers. There's so many quirks to his characters that are subtle yet immensely effective. You can tell he must have done take after take to get some of his longer shots done, which is even more amazing when you consider the insane number of films he made in his short life (I can't even comprehend it, especially considering all the drugs he was doing meanwhile).

My only problem with it was the spotty sound design, perhaps accountable for the aforementioned hastiness of his productions. It isn't all that distracting though, as the film is just amazing. Recommended to all, seriously. Check it out.

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