IMAGINARY HEROES
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Emile Hirsch, Jeff Daniels...
Director: Dan Harris
Writer: Dan Harris
Review Date: 02/15/05
Written By: suj
Rating: 8/10
THE PLOT:
Matt Travis (Kip Pardue) is a star athlete and the apple of his father's (Jeff Daniels) eye. When pressure and frustration with his routine become too much, Matt kills himself, knocking down the fragile structure of the Travis household, which includes his mother Sandy (Sigourney Weaver) and teenage brother Tim (Emile Hirsch). As depression and venom seep into the family dynamic, Tim struggles with the outlook of his life while he watches his parents' already tempestuous marriage burn to the ground.
THE REVIEW:
The plot of "Imaginary Heroes" isn't really fresh or original, but what makes it worthwhile is the work of Dan Harris. This writer/director incorporates some intricate writing and a focused eye towards performance and with this piece of work I can plainly see why Bryan Singer tapped into this talent for both X2 and the up-coming Superman Returns.
The screenplay seems rich and wise beyond this 24 year-old' years. With his distinct attention paid to character, and a mournful theme about the realities behind the people we hold so dearly and call upon them as heroes in our lives. It’s an impressive look at the frailty of the human condition.
"Imaginary Heroes" explores the same white, upper class suburban angst as numerous other films have done. While the blueprint for this type of tale had been plainly laid out, Harris manages not to easily repeat the themes and events from those of movies past. Here he finds his own quirky take, sometimes artificial, but mostly organic and interesting. The film covers all types of repressed emotions, drug imbibing, sexual dysfunction, slapstick comedy, and the common tear jerking moments in way that isn't display for the sake of conveying these emotions, but rather it's earned. Especially a delicate touching scene where the young Tim Travis confronts his father after a family secret is revealed.
Emile Hirsch, plays the coming-of-age role often and does it well. He plays Tim as a haunted character, a recluse, lost in his own lethargic desire to accept his life. Hirsch has the iffiest role of all the actors, and he pulls it together through Harris's script and some atypically subtle acting.
Throughout it all I found this movie to be a great step towards greatness for Dan Harris and a highlighted achievement for all the actors’ involved.
Director: Dan Harris
Writer: Dan Harris
Review Date: 02/15/05
Written By: suj
Rating: 8/10
THE PLOT:
Matt Travis (Kip Pardue) is a star athlete and the apple of his father's (Jeff Daniels) eye. When pressure and frustration with his routine become too much, Matt kills himself, knocking down the fragile structure of the Travis household, which includes his mother Sandy (Sigourney Weaver) and teenage brother Tim (Emile Hirsch). As depression and venom seep into the family dynamic, Tim struggles with the outlook of his life while he watches his parents' already tempestuous marriage burn to the ground.
THE REVIEW:
The plot of "Imaginary Heroes" isn't really fresh or original, but what makes it worthwhile is the work of Dan Harris. This writer/director incorporates some intricate writing and a focused eye towards performance and with this piece of work I can plainly see why Bryan Singer tapped into this talent for both X2 and the up-coming Superman Returns.
The screenplay seems rich and wise beyond this 24 year-old' years. With his distinct attention paid to character, and a mournful theme about the realities behind the people we hold so dearly and call upon them as heroes in our lives. It’s an impressive look at the frailty of the human condition.
"Imaginary Heroes" explores the same white, upper class suburban angst as numerous other films have done. While the blueprint for this type of tale had been plainly laid out, Harris manages not to easily repeat the themes and events from those of movies past. Here he finds his own quirky take, sometimes artificial, but mostly organic and interesting. The film covers all types of repressed emotions, drug imbibing, sexual dysfunction, slapstick comedy, and the common tear jerking moments in way that isn't display for the sake of conveying these emotions, but rather it's earned. Especially a delicate touching scene where the young Tim Travis confronts his father after a family secret is revealed.
Emile Hirsch, plays the coming-of-age role often and does it well. He plays Tim as a haunted character, a recluse, lost in his own lethargic desire to accept his life. Hirsch has the iffiest role of all the actors, and he pulls it together through Harris's script and some atypically subtle acting.
Throughout it all I found this movie to be a great step towards greatness for Dan Harris and a highlighted achievement for all the actors’ involved.
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