Review of The Brown Bunny (2003) by Andy F — 11 Sep 2004

[font=Century Gothic][size=3]Bud Clay (Vincent Gallo) is a man tormented by tragic memories of a lost love, Daisy (Chloë Sevigny). After losing a race in New Hampshire, Bud, a motorcycle racer, finds himself on a road trip to Los Angeles, where he will race again in five days. Throughout his road trip, Bud is consumed with thoughts of being reunited with his lost love, grapples with painful consequences of decisions past, and meets and abandons women at random.

The Brown Bunny is unconventional and uncompromising. On the outset, it appears to be a high concept practical joke on its audience, seeming to meander and plod forward without purpose or meaning. The audience observes Bud as he travels from town to town, engaging in socially questionable behavior - disturbing behavior - which appears to be without reason. The film feels like an endurance test for quite sometime as we?re taken capriciously from one vagarious moment to the next. Why is Bud behaving in the manner that he does? Why does Bud hate women? What is going on with Bud? What happened between Bud and Daisy? Is their relationship salvable? Why is he so disturbed?

What appears to be meandering and plodding becomes something deeper when Bud arrives in Los Angeles. It is when Bud arrives in Los Angeles that the audience discovers the secrets surrounding Bud?s relationship with Daisy and what may be the catalyst to Bud?s state of mind. The Brown Bunny unravels itself deliberately. It?s a seemingly pointless excursion that becomes a complex and enigmatic character study. By film?s end the viewer is given a glimpse into the broken mind and spirit of its sad ?protagonist.? Bud is one for fans of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Bud is [i]all[/i] fucked up.

The Brown Bunny is intriguing on many levels. One level being, ?why would someone bother to make a film like this?? There?s not a single likable character in The Brown Bunny. It is a tragedy with a capital ?T.? The mood is predominantly somber. The women are objectified victims and the men are depraved opportunists. It?s politically incorrect and it's definitely not for all tastes. Many will walk out of the theater repulsed. Some will be intrigued by Bud and his psychology. Some may be down right bored and indifferent. But regardless of whether or not you like The Brown Bunny, it cannot be dismissed. It?s an uncompromising, provocative, and intriguing film. The film appears not to care what you think of it. It?s frustrating, gratuitous, and deeply disturbing. In its final moments it melds its psychological inclinations with pornography with a sequence that may be talked about for years to come. Even its pretension is intriguing. The Brown Bunny is bold cinema.[/size][/font].