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Current Issue: Artvoice v7n47, week of Thursday November 20 » back issues

Film Review

Movie Madness: The Dying Gaul

Campbell Scott, Patricia Clarkson, and Peter Sarsgaard in "The Dying Gaul"

Jeffrey is taking a meeting with a writer. Jeffrey (Campbell Scott) is a youngish, influential executive at one of the major Hollywood film studios

Robert (Peter Sarsgaard) is the young, unproduced scriptwriter in his office whose scenario, which gives Craig Lucas’ film its title, is named for the famous classical Roman sculpture of the tragically beautiful, mortally wounded young warrior. His script is about two gay men, which is the problem, Jeffrey is trying to explain.

“Most Americans hate gays. If they hear it’s about gay people, they won’t come. No one goes to the movies to have a bad time or to learn anything.”

The movie as its written, he says, “isn’t going to happen.”

But if Robert changes one of the men to a female, it can and will.

The script is based on Robert’s relationship with his late companion Malcolm, who was also his agent. Jeffrey’s suggestion is so disturbing to him that he stalks out of the office, and this meeting which he badly needs.

But Jeffrey, who pursues him, is so unctuously persuasive, and so seemingly well-intentioned, that shortly after this he finds himself before his computer, deleting 1172 uses of the name “Maurice” from the script, and substituting “Maggie.” In his meeting with Jeffrey, Robert had misspoke at one point, calling the character Malcolm. Now his capitulation seems like at least a symbolic betrayal, one which has earned him a cool million and an adulterous liaison with Jeffrey. (The movie is set in 1995, which is probably intended to be of some importance.)

The Dying Gaul, which Lucas adapted from his own play, seems during the first half-hour or so to be about the almost irresistible, seductive promise of success, and the gross disparities of power that underlie that unreliable promise. It seems to be an examination of these dynamics as they operate in Hollywood.

The movie’s atmosphere strengthens this impression. Steve Reich’s near-metronomically ominous score, the intensified light and colors of Bobby Bukowski’s cinematography, the frequent shots of brilliant skies with well-defined cloud formations, the camera’s recurring, sometimes oblique focus on angular modernist architecture—all these convey a sense of smooth, beautiful finishes overlaying a corruption of spirit.

But Lucas is after something else, something at once more personal and superficial. Jeffrey’s wife Elaine (Patricia Clarkson) and Robert take an affectionate shine to each other, and after she pries from him an admission of his use of gay computer chat rooms, she amuses herself by pretending to be an online male sexual prowler in exchanges with Robert. And learns, of course, of his affair with her husband.

Her curious revenge is to obtain intimate information about Robert—how is only barely implied—and use it to pose as the shade of Malcolm in these internet exchanges. This begins the eventually violent unhinging of the mild, empathetic young writer.

It’s hard to discern which of this strange triad Lucas thinks is the real victim of their combined moral lapses. By raising the stakes as high as he does, and making the losses so terrible, Lucas may have intended to convey moral ambiguities and ironies.

What he has delivered, however, is more obscure and arbitrary. Lucas’ professional experience in films has been as a writer, but this movie’s narrative developments seem lumpy and capricious. The Dying Gaul winds up an off-putting stew of overheated implausibilities and melodramatic creepiness.

The excellent actors dutifully, indeed impressively, go about their portrayals, but they can’t escape Lucas’ ill-formed script. If he had an aesthetic or moral vision, he hasn’t realized it.


Artvoice Blog Headlines

Who Goes Where When Hillary Goes to State?

posted November 19, 12:04 pm on Artvoice Daily

City Hall News has flow_chart that tracks who might replace who, from Hillary’s Senate seat on down (click to expand or follow the link—it’s an awkward shape):

It’s Robert Rich Sr. All High Stadium

posted November 14, 5:05 pm on Artvoice Daily

These new signs properly label the structure. We’ve been reading recent stories in the Buffalo News about sportswriter Tom Borrelli’s terrible fall last week at the old All High Stadium. He’s currently battling life-threatening injuries... (more)

CWM Fined for Violations

posted November 14, 2:41 pm on Artvoice Daily

This week Chemical Waste Management was fined $175,000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating its permits and the state’s hazardous waste laws. I don’t have much to say about that, except it doesn’t seem to me like too much money... (more)

Musical Chairs

posted November 14, 12:51 pm on Artvoice Daily

The AP reports that Hillary Clinton met with Barack Obama in Chicago yesterday, adding fuel to speculation that she might be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. If that happens, it has long been rumored that Brian Higgins would be appointed to her Senate seat... (more)

Paint the Town

posted November 14, 11:06 am on Artvoice Daily

Late last night, at the tail end of one of the few weeks in the past year in which we did not publish anything snarky about anybody, someone threw two gallons of paint on our front doors. Seems a waste; we hadn’t even earned it. Nonetheless, we were cleaning up all morning... (more)

Old Editions Book Shop

posted November 13, 1:58 pm on Artvoice Daily

AV videographer Matt Quinn tours Old Editions, an often overlooked treasure at the corner of Oak and Huron Streets downtown: show enclosure (video/x-flv; 21.29 MB)

This Is Not Today’s News

posted November 12, 9:37 am on Artvoice Daily

But it would be nice if it were. Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet.

This Just In…

posted November 11, 3:28 pm on Artvoice Daily

Always in the vanguard, researchers of the University at Buffalo’s Center of Human Capital have reached a bold conclusion, according to a statement disseminated this afternoon: Although no official determination has been made about whether New York State or the U... (more)

Silver Lining: Edwards Remains a Good Guy

posted November 11, 11:17 am on Artvoice Daily

Marshawn Lynch Amid the anguished finger-pointing, plaintive wailing and resigned head-shaking sweeping the region following the Buffalo Bills’ third straight defeat, Season Ticket would like to apportion a minute sliver of credit. Quarterback Trent Edwards, by most quantitative and qualitative standards, failed miserably at New England on Sunday (not coincidentally, this was also his third consecutive regressive outing)... (more)

Mazzariello’s Ristorante & Martini Bar

posted November 7, 4:30 pm on Chew on This

  Photo taken by Rose Mattrey From Antipasti to Primi to Secondi, Mazzariello’s (114 Bloomfield Ave, Lancaster, 206.0561) has conquered the map of Italian cooking. Your palate will be exposed to an array of spices, herbs, and ingredients indigenous to Northern & Southern Italy... (more)

Post Election Bits & Bytes

posted November 7, 12:02 am on Tech Voice

Election ‘08 is now in the history books - so I figured it’s time to take a look backward, and a look forward at some relevant headlines. Hacking Democracy First, we’ll take a look at one of the best kept secrets of the campaign season, from both sides, care of a Newsweek article published just today... (more)

BNMC Open Meeting Tonight

posted November 6, 1:19 pm on Artvoice Daily

Tonight at 6pm in the auditorium of the downtown library, everyone is invited to attend a public hearing on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus—North End Projects. Among the projects planned are a 300,000 square foot Medical Office Building to be owned and operated by Ciminelli Development Company, Inc... (more)

That Pigeon Won’t Fly

posted November 6, 10:05 am on Artvoice Daily

Steve Pigeon Here’s another example, this one two years old, of the way Steve Pigeon’s political committees are alleged to steer money to candidates illegally. On September 15, 2006, the Pigeon-controlled PAC Citizens for Fiscal Integrity paid “RUR Strategy Group” $9,000 in consulting fees, according to CFI’s campaign finance disclosure forms... (more)

SeaBar’s Social Calendar

posted November 5, 12:44 pm on Chew on This

SeaBar will host live jazz and sushi nights starting Friday, November 21st at 8 p.m. (5235 Main Street, Wmsvl, 204.5283). A Cave Springs Riesling Tasting Event will take place at SeaBar’s suburban location on Wednesday, November 9th at 7 p.m... (more)

Artvoice TV: Latest Additions » more on AVTV

Neslon Starr Band w/Jeff Miers

posted November 23, 08:05 am on channel Music

On Saturday night there was a double bill with Bread Gone Wry and Nelson Starr Band at Nietzsche's. Sitting in with Nelson Starr for a couple of tunes was former bandmate and Buffalo News music critic Jeff Miers, featured here.

Bread Gone Wry

posted November 23, 08:04 am on channel Music

We haven't seen Bread Gone Wry for quite some time but they haven't lost their charm. The happy crowd cheered on every song.

Dr. Riyaz Hassanali: The effect Smoking has on your Skin

posted November 21, 4:50 pm on channel Local Interest

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Riyaz Hassanali sat down with Buffalo actress and television host Lorraine O'Donnell for the first in our series of interviews with area medical experts. Today's subject is the effects of smoking on your skin and appearance. Dr. Hassanali, of Williamsville (626-1593) is a well respected cosmetic surgeon who works internationally, as well as locally. This is the first of six segments from Dr...

Twilight

posted November 19, 1:09 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Twilight, in theaters November 21. Read M. Faust's review of the film here.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

posted November 19, 1:06 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, in theaters now. Click here to read George Sax's review of the film.

Avi Takes Artvoice Shopping for the holidays @ Lexington food Co-op

posted November 19, 11:52 am on channel Food

I met up with Avi of Obviously Avi Catering to learn about classic ways to spruce up some great thanksgiving dishes and some more contemporary ideas for this years holiday season.. Also check out the Co-op this weekend Saturday the 22nd to sample some of the fresh turkeys that u can pick up for your family!

TRAIN DAY! @ the Buffalo Historical Society

posted November 17, 3:07 pm on channel Local Interest

I met with Peter Burakowski from the Buffalo Histroical Society to check out their fantastic train exhibit.. Now I have to be honest I was kinda embarrassed to tell Peter that I Hadn't been to the museum since I was about six years old... But the place looks great and has a lot going on for the holiday season. Check out this clip then head on down to the Buffalo Historical Society!

Mass Appeal: Elmwood Fashion Event

posted November 15, 10:19 pm on channel Events

On Friday night the Elmwood Village Association packed the Lafayette Presbyterian Church with a sold out "Mass Appeal: An Elmwood Fashion Event." The atmosphere was electric in the brightly lit church as models strutted down the catwalk to lively deejay beats.

Buffalo Contemporay Dance

posted November 15, 6:43 pm on channel Events

This weekend we stopped at Alt Theatre, 255 Great Arrow, to check Buffalo Contemporary Dance's 10th Anniversary performance. The little black box theatre in the Great Arrow Industrial Center is exceptionally intimate and provides a that up close experience you won't get at larger venues. Dancers and choreographers Amy Taravella and Leslie Wexler put together a lovely set of dance pieces with a variety of musical styles and an enthusiastic group of dancers...

Old Editions Book Shop

posted November 13, 11:42 am on channel Local Interest

I had a chance to check out the Old Editions Book Shop & Café at 74 East Huron Street, Buffalo.... WOW i was blown away at how any cool things they had on display there....Not just the thousands of books on everything from local authors to rare leather-bounds, but hundreds of maps, prints and other artwork. If you havent been down to the corner of Oak and Huron to check it out i suggest you do!

Off Stage: Conversations with Anthony Chase

posted November 12, 4:50 pm on channel Theater

This week, Artvoice and TAB present Part II of the interview with Road Less Traveled founder, Scott Behrand. This is the second installment of "Off Stage", a series of conversations with the Buffalo theatre community and AV Theatre Editor Anthony Chase.

Happy Go Lucky

posted November 12, 2:08 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Happy Go Lucky, in theaters now. Read M. Faust's review of the film here.

Quantum of Solace

posted November 12, 2:01 pm on channel Movie Trailers

Movie trailer for Quantum of Solace, in theaters November 14th. Read George Sax's review of the film here.

Flash Party at Essex St.

posted November 9, 10:59 am on channel Events

The annual Flash Party-Griffis Sculpture Park fundraiser at the Essex St. art complex was the raucous gathering of music and art it's always been. With live music by the Ifs, plenty of art and free beer what else would you expect?

Lakeview Effect at Nietzsche's

posted November 8, 4:54 pm on channel Music

When Lakeview Effect crowded into the front bar at Nietzsche's with their keyboards, drums, two guitars, bass and percussion, there wasn't much room left. Nevertheless, people space to jam in and groove to the interesting and often unpredictable tunes. Some even found room to dance.



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