Review of Listen Up Philip (2014) by Art S — 28 Dec 2015
I appreciate the intentions here (to create a black comedy about the creation of literature that is also novelistic in its form) but the end product is too dense and the central character too off-putting for it to be a real success.
Perhaps I would think differently if the satire were aimed at my discipline and the egos and career-building strategies used in Psychology rather than English; I really don't recognize the unique type of prick that Jason Schwartzman plays here, who cultivates an arrogant selfishness and self-righteousness as a way of fomenting an artistic personality (to make his works happen).
Watching him damage all of his personal relationships, echoing the earlier failures of his want-to-be mentor has-been Jonathan Pryce, is not exactly fun. Sure, there are funny moments but director Alex Ross Perry balances the film on the edge of the proverbial knife and it is hard to know whether to laugh or just think this is all pathetic.
The voiceover narration by Eric Bogosian sets the tone (exceedingly literary) and the willingness to wander to other characters and their subplots allows some relief from Schwartzman (although his acting is fine) - but this is like one of your favourite novelist's lesser works.
Perhaps a masterpiece lies in wait somewhere down the road?
This review of Listen Up Philip (2014) was written by Art S on 28 Dec 2015.
Listen Up Philip has generally received positive reviews.
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