Review of Paranoid Park (2007) by Dank — 28 Jul 2009

I haven't seen this many split reviews since There Will be Blood. Instead of saying, "this movie sucks," how about, "I didn't like this movie." Or, better yet, aren't people interested in why critics loved this movie when so many viewers did not? It seems a little indulgent and egocentric to give the final word on a movie (film critics are paid to do this).

This story was filmed in slow motion to reflect how the teen was feeling at the moment. His entire world was turned up side down (much like the skateboarders in mid-flight) after the traumatic incident, and he was trying to piece it all together.

Has anyone ever had a traumatic moment in your life where everything seemed to move in slow motion? When you felt you couldn't think, and everything was floating in space? That was the effect Van Sant was going for.

I personally appreciated this movie because it was daring enough to take its time. This film reminded me of foreign classics like L'avventura and I Vitelloni, where the journey of the character is most important, even more so than the plot.

Modern audiences like a neatly wrapped up story, which is fine. It is just not as challenging nor does it make the audience think as much. This film leaves a lot to be discussed, such as what should the boy have done? What will happen to him? What should happen to him? The slow camera work allows us to feel the trauma that he is feeling, not just see it.

The fact that the film takes its time allows the audience to get to know the characters more (if the audience member does not allow himself or herself to get annoyed by the slow-moving plot). This film is not for everyone.

For those who like mainstream movies, stick to what you know you will like. Don't waste your time listening to critics because you don't like the same things. Ask your friends for advice instead.

For those who watch films and cannot figure out why a critic liked the film so much, you don't have to like the film, but try thinking about it empathetically instead of simply bashing something that you just don't understand.