Review of Rhinoceros Eyes (2004) by Melissa M — 20 Jun 2008

Michael Pitt isn't a household name, and that bugs me.

He takes on the strange kinds of roles that Johnny Depp does, but portrays a truthfulness of Leonardo DiCaprio.

This movie is one of those introverted, introspective gems.

Pitt plays Chep, a disturbed young man living and working in a film prop shop.

When Fran comes along, requesting rather strange items for a movie that she's attached to, Chep becomes delusional thinking that she will love him if he does her bidding.

Fantasy and Fiction is blurred in his mind: We are led to believe that Chep is a very simple man, not getting concepts of the world, but the way he creates an ever contorting imaginary friend as his sort of guide to life, shows the complete fracture of his personality, and this child like simplicity and introversion is the remains of what perhaps was a normal kid. The blurring continues with a movie he religiously goes to melds seemlessly in his mind with his reality, giving him expectations of events, and skewed memories. When his complete dilusion takes over, the character of Chep is ultimately shattered, and all that is left is a shell of the person he used to be.

It's creepy, we've seen aspects of the plot before, but it's indie nature is completely refreshing, and the mix of characters showing an aspect of complete truth to the film.

Pitt's portrayal of both Chep, and the imaginary friend is genius in it's own right, breathing a chaotic sense of life into the film.

Definitely something I can't recommend to anyone, but anyone that wants to have a think about how their own mind works for a second, see if you can find this interesting little film.