The Event

Rating:
Summary: A Strange Omission
Review: "The Event" is an ambitious movie that takes on the subject of assisted suicide. The movie is set in the Chelsea district of Manhattan during 2001. When a talented young musician with AIDS dies, an investigator from the District Attorney's office sets about finding out the cause of death to determine if a crime was committed. Although some of the flash forwards and flashbacks may make for confusing viewing in the beginning scenes, especially since the viewer is still unfamiliar with the numerous characters, such issues are resolved in time. Some of the cinematography is less than inspired, but then, the movie was probably done on a limited budget. Even so, the director, Thom Fitzgerald, has managed to assemble an exceptional cast, among them Don McKellar, Olympia Dukakis, Parker Posey (sort of the Queen of Independent Cinema), and the always fine, Brent Carver. Plus, the script is smart and manages a difficult subject without resorting to sentimentality. Although there are some visual elements that relate to 9-11, no mention of the destruction of the World Trade Center is ever made that I recall. Since certain crucial events to this story take place in September, 2001, the omission of the terrorists' attack seems off-putting since it was one thing on every New Yorker's mind, whatever one's personal problems. Since 9-11 does not really relate to the story but still cannot be ignored, I wish the filmmaker had chosen a different timeline, perhaps placing the story in 2000 or 2002. I sincerely hope Fitzgerald's next project ISN'T a family drama set in Sri Lanka during the Christmas season of 2004, in which he would neglect to mention the tsunami, as being irrelevant to the story, but throw in a few tsunami images as establishing shots for good measure.


Rating:
Summary: Brilliant! A Celebration Of Life...
Review: A superb cast including Olympia Dukakis, Tony Award Winner Brent Carver and Parker Posey (just to name a few). Thom Fitzgerald ("The Hanging Garden," "Beefcake") takes us through amazing depths of emotions. You'll laugh hysterically -- and you'll cry. Definitely one of the most touching movie endings I have ever seen. It's too bad this flick didn't find a bigger audience in theaters. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant! A Celebration Of Life...
Review: A superb cast including Olympia Dukakis, Tony Award Winner Brent Carver and Parker Posey (just to name a few). Thom Fitzgerald ("The Hanging Garden," "Beefcake") takes us through amazing depths of emotions. You'll laugh hysterically -- and you'll cry. Definitely one of the most touching movie endings I have ever seen. It's too bad this flick didn't find a bigger audience in theaters. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: "It's My Party" it ain't
Review: Similar to It's My Party, but with only a fraction of poignancy and emotion. The segmented flashbacks don't allow any momentum to build up, and we don't get to know the characters well enough to truly care. There were far too many comic-relief type scenes that were largely inappropriate in both timing and content, and I also resented the gratuitous 9-11 related images that were used throughout.

Rating:
Summary: An important and impressive film
Review: THE EVENT came and went in the theatres like some spectral ghost which, despite its trappings, failed to serve notice of its importance not only as a social comment but as a showcase for some excellent talent. Director Thom Fitzgerald deserves great respect (and most certainly an audience!) for the brave statement of his film and the facile utilization of some extraordinary talent. The "Event" of the title refers to a final party for Matt (Don McKellar), a young man blessed with many friends and family, who has decided to end his deteriorating life of struggle with AIDS with a suicide finale, gaged to be abetted by those closest to him. The glitch comes (after the death) when detective "Nick" DeVivo (Parker Posey) decides that assisted suicide is a crime that must be punished and proceeds to investigate all of the people involved. It is this investigation that introduces us to Matt's entourage - a glitteringly excellent cast of family (Olympia Dukakis as his mother, Brent Carver as his partner) and friends, which include roles for Sarah Polly, Jane Leeves, and an actor who makes a Drag Queen performance one of the strongest roles since Torch Song Trilogy. Through a series of thoughtful flashbacks and flash-forwards we are allowed insight into each of these characters and to the reality of exactly how Matt's final wishes were completed - a tender and wonderful surprise ending. This story is told with a simultaneous celebration of life and a warm tenderness for the meaning of love in all its phases and forms, all in a setting of the persistent ravaging plague of AIDS that continues to deprive the world of treasured citizens and spirits. Fitzgerald is able to accomplish this without resorting to the maudlin, the banal, or the tempting "somewhere over the rainbow" saccharine tone that often accompanies films of this nature. This is a remarkable achievement and in every way this movie stands tall. Highly recommended.