Review of Kaboom (2010) by Manuel M — 06 Jun 2011

I'm not sure exactly what "Kaboom" was trying to say, and I know for sure I'll never take a second look at it ever again. A coherent narrative doesn't seem to be a concern to Gregg Araki, the directing force behind this insane mixture of (s)exploration and existentialism. Never pushing forward or tracking backward, the film remains in a confusing state of self-delusion, embracing its own preposterous mentality. It aches for something to progress it, and never finds what it aches for.

There's even enough random, oddly invigorating, incoherent babble on display to label the film as a metaphysical version of an entire sit-com series strung together and cut down to an hour and a half. One event happens, and then the next, and the next, never finding a rhythm or flow for the audience to go along with. Specifically concerning the fantasies and sexual escapades of Smith (Thomas Dekker), there is never a moment where anything is clear, or even merely comprehensible when the plot is concerned.

And that's all because there is no plot. Using the reasoning that that's the entire point of the film is pretentious bullshit. Real themes of sexual exploration, self-definition, and eternal resolution are showcased, rarely to any kind of effect.

Now, from all of this, it sounds like I'm trashing this film, and the fact of the matter is... I kind of enjoyed it. The inarguable smuttiness of it all and the outrageous, darkly comedic gags never really have an impact because you're so invested in figuring out what the hell is going on the whole time, but after watching it, there's something there. I don't know what it is, but there's something.

"Kaboom" is a ridiculous, seemingly inept exercise in pop entertainment. It's sometimes funny, sometimes scary, sometimes just flat out fucking insane. If you strap in for the ride and prepare yourself, you might just find that unknown quality that I did. Just be warned, you have to sit through a lot of gay sex, but also Juno Temple, so there's that.