Imitation of another work

Rating: 3/10 (2 May 2015)

If ever the discrepancy between real writing and screen writing were still moot this film makes it apparent, in a script which contrives to appear quirky, self-reflective, and because it is non naturalistic, contemporary, even pushing boundaries of narrative form in film.
While that may seem true to anyone who last read a book prescribed by their high school teacher, this movie is a derivative and arch work that has poached Borges, or Sterne, among others, for its motive and conceits and consequently the finished work is completely pedestrian.
The banality is compounded by a layer of trite homily suitable to a youthful, if inexperienced audience, about leading an authentic life. This element might have come from the counterculture but it is then reflected through bland corporate platitudes that have the effect of trans fats on the mind.
The shortcomings aside the director has done well, as has the editor, to realize the result. Likewise the actors manage quite well with the material they have, although it becomes more and more strained.
How this stale, hack, script ever saw production, let alone was lauded with awards, should be a cause for some soul-searching by all concerned.