BEAUTY

Rating: Null/10 (4 August 2004)

There are moments in this film in which I bite my knuckles and open my eyes so wide because i cannot believe this was written and directed by the same young man playing "JD" on Scrubs. Not that that means the man shouldn't have any talent for working on a Must-See TV sitcom. From the musical pieces scattered throughout the soundtrack (Shins, Theivary Corporation, Remy Zero, Frou Frou), to the jokes-within-the-frame, it is such an amazing piece of cinema from a first time director. And actor. And writer.
I don't like exaggerations, but I could not believe the movie ended as quickly as it did. Maybe I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to see Andrew, Sam, Mark, Gideon, Kenny, Jesse one last time, chillin in that huge mansion. Maybe the ending felt a bit rushed. However, after rethinking and reimagining that scene, I now understand how those scenes never dwelled past their initial resonance nor lost its audience's attention. That's why this film seems perfectly in tune and on time in its visual gags, idiosyncratic jokes, and well-toned performances.
Everyone at some point in their lives, no matter how inane and empty one envisions it to be, can look so deep within themselves and find that one happy thought, that one reminder of how much love existed in their world, and persist through such misery, heartache and depression based solely on that one memory. There is redemption, and there is hope. No matter how much self-hatred and anger lies in your heart.
Thank you, Zach.