Review of The Canyons (2013) by Craig T — 13 Sep 2015

This is a contemporary film noir shot and directed skillfully by notorious enfant terrible Paul Schrader. Although the film depicts a series of characters more dislikeable than the others, Schrader masterfully uses these young spoiled, burn out / pretty faces and reveal shot after shots the lackluster lifestyle of these people.

The cinematography by John DeFazio is superb and express perfectly the state of mind each of these characters seems to be trapped in. The editing is also extremely well executed and the soundtrack adds a touch of oddity, disturbance and moodiness to this modern, neo noir, glamorous and nightmarish venture behind the scene of movie making.

This film is like an experience, a journey into a world of excess and volatile whims, the ugly mirror of an ungrateful, spoiled, egotistical and mean Hollywood youth, for whom 'no' is never an answer.

What a punch.... no wonder so many people dislike this vitriolic portrait of a generation so lost in it's own decadence, it's almost insufferable.