?????
THE word unique is overused these days but this starkly peculiar bout of magical realism more than lives up to that claim.
We’re greeted with the startling image of a young man named Hank (Paul Dano) trying to hang himself after losing all hope stranded on a deserted island. Just as he’s about to do it, he notices a dead body (Daniel Radcliffe) lying next to the water.
After heading over to investigate, he gets the feeling that the mysterious corpse might not actually be dead. He befriends him, affectionately names him Manny and begins to talk to him, even hearing him talking back.
Is it actually happening or is Hank hallucinating? That’s sort of beside the point. The oddball friendship gives him a newfound sense of purpose and hope for the future.
There’s a fine line between stupid and clever and for the first twenty minutes or so there are fears that it might fall into the former category.
There’s an obsession with flatulence and erection-based humour that should render it utterly juvenile. It shouldn’t work and yet it does.
It casts a strange sort of magic, enticing the viewer in as the unconventional friendship between the two grows in unique and unendingly surprising ways, sidestepping potential tastelessness and actually having a lot to say about loneliness and the need for human connection.
Anchored by one soulful and one utterly beguiling performance, it rewards those who are willing to just go with it, whatever bizarre and dark directions it may take.
Whether it be Hank using Manny as a shower using fresh water inexplicably appearing from his mouth (seriously) or its use of musical score that incorporates clapping, vocals by the lead duo and ethereal reworking of dialogue like references to Jurassic Park or the song Cotton Eyed Joe.
Directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert – quirkily credited together as “Daniels” – do an impressive tonal juggling act, ranging from the quietly contemplative to madcap slapstick to the downright baffling and back again, all with a twinge of profundity and appealing sincerity.
Is it weird for weird’s sake? Perhaps but the audaciousness has to be admired.
Profoundly odd and oddly profound, it makes for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.
TV Pick of the Day, Friday, September 30: The Level, and Elain C Smith's Burdz Eye View
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here