Review of Lost in La Mancha (2002) by Erno K — 30 Jul 2008

If you know anything about Terry Gilliam's filmmaking history, you know he's had some misfortune with his films. But holy shit, nobody can have such a rotten luck as he did with the Don Quixote movie! I'm contemplating if I should start using the phrase "That's some bad luck, but it could be worse, I could be Terry Gilliam" whenever some unexpected shit smacks against the proverbial fan.

This is an incredible documentary. It's candid, unadorned and it's actually painful to watch, as Gilliam's decade long project encounters every fucking disaster known to man, and we can see Gilliam's resolve crumbling before us. Even his lead actor is diagnosed with a serious condition days before shooting was about to star. Wow. And that's when the insurance people start to sharpen their machetes. And there's Johnny Depp. Talking to a fish. Random much?

What makes this documentary even more incredible is that we get an honest glimpse inside a movie production, with all its ups and down. Mostly huge downs, though. I really felt for Terry, because he is such a lovable character. At over 60, he still has child-like enthusiasm and he gets excited very easily. I was rooting for him madly, against all odds, but it was not to be. But, if it hurts me, think about how much it hurts Gilliam, who worked for it over ten years.

And what was his latest project? A movie with a certain Heath Ledger. Fucking ouch.