Reviewed by Elliot V. Kotek
(from the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival, Narrative Feature Competition) Director: Steve Clark
Written by: Steve Clark & Thomas Moffett
Starring: Jason Behr, Monet Mazur, Krysten Ritter, Lucy Gordon, India Ennenga
Jack Frost, a one-hit novelist, plays the wounded bull burdened by the upcoming nuptials of his best friend, but otherwise declares himself a lone wolf to the long-limbed models that populate his playboy partying lifestyle. Sophie, a girl in the building who seems smart enough to know better than to flirt with the stranger who lives in her building, befriends the friendly protagonist who spends his days whittling away the hours with heavy drinking and drug-addled "actors-slash-models."
Making only minimal use of the marvel that is the movie's Manhattan locale, the poor-at-times video quality and muddle of music initially scream for a gag reflex as the clichés roll themselves out, but Jack Frost (Jason Behr) holds the camera and the audience well, and with him the audience is willing to go along for the indie ride to check out the wares of first-time filmmaker, Steve Clark. The festival world is kind to this type of film (The Treatment, Rodger Dodger, Tadpole), and a collection of small, honest conversations and able acting perfs from the leads (Behr, Lucy Gordon and a 13-year-old find in India Ennenga) together with Krysten Ritter's rehab-headed Ozzy provide some moments of meaning. By and large, however, the contrivances outweigh any attempts at creating real characters, and the forced settings (successful people feeling sorry for themselves) are too self-aggrandizing to warrant any genuine empathy. So, unfortunately, instead of the warmth of say, Father Winter or Mother Nature, we're left with the cold crystals of Park City so appropriate for a Jack Frost.
Photos courtesy of CPlusPictures
www.frostthemovie.com |
