Jun 28 2008
Be Kind Rewind reviewed
Most of the criticism surrounding Be Kind Rewind seems to deal with expectations. The expectation that Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep) will always provide films that deal with the inner workings of the human psyche, that he will always provide cutting edge visual candy. The expectation of seeing whether or not Mos Def can really continue his cross over into acting, if Jack Black can start to break free of his traditional character with anger issues and occasional bouts of over animation.
I’d like to say that this is an unreasonable way to view a film, but it is the reality of such a collaboration. There are always expectations and this film is weighed down with them, any project from the pseudo-cult phenom Michel Gondry is bound to have expectations placed upon it by the cinephiles of the world. Gondry represents an independent mind working within the studio system to create a unique cinematic experience, one of only a handful of true auteurs in the modern cinema.
Be Kind Rewind focuses on Mike (Mos Def) and his best friend Jerry (Jack Black). Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover), the proprietor of the video store Be Kind Rewind, leaves town for a small convention on jazz luminary Fats Wallar and leaves Mike in charge of the store. Jerry’s plan to destroy the local power plant, which he is sure is controlling their minds, winds up only giving Jerry a permanent magnetic charge. This leads to all of the tapes at Be Kind Rewind being erased and Mike and Jerry’s desperate attempt to refilm everything in the store so it doesn’t go under.
If this sounds complicated don’t worry, it’s a little convoluted. But, despite a lot of harsh criticism, the film is a charming visual feast. If you come to it burdened with expectation it can be a little disappointing, there is a lot less of the standard psyche probing psychedelia that characterizes much of Gondry’s work, yet it retains his unique visual stamp.
But that’s the nature of the film, this is outside of Gondry’s usual realm and he still manages to make it his own. The sequences where Mike and Jerry are re-shooting the films are particularly engaging and filled with beautiful, complex cinematography. It’s of the type that really draws the viewer into the filmmaking process to recognize the difficult maneuvers that are being pulled off (this self realization is no coincidence since much of the film seems to deal with the art of creating, more specifically filmmaking - though the film makes great attempts to extend this metaphor into all forms of creation).
The story, while having it’s low moments, is generally fairly upbeat, that has that summery feel-good-ness to it. It’s a unique comedy that goes to great lengths to rise above mere comedic routines and engages the viewer in the process of independent art. It speaks to that part of everyone that wishes they would see more films, more plays, read more books; it speaks to that part of everyone that wishes they were more a part of the community and realize where there part in the play exists.
It’s not a perfect film, and a lot of the criticisms are justified, but there is something special about the way Gondry can engage an audience in any genre. With Be Kind Rewind he proves that he still has the ability to provide intriguing cinema working from within the studios, and without his usual psychological mind games.
