Gabe Nevins in "Paranoid Park"
(Credit: Scott Green/IFC)
- Photos:
-
- Running time:
- 84 minutes
- Rated:
- R
- Cast:
- Gabe Nevins -
- Alex
- Taylor Momsen -
- Jennifer
- Jake Miller -
- Jared
- Lauren McKinney -
- Macy
- Scott Green -
- Director:
- Gus Van Sant
- Genre:
- Drama
- Overall User Rating:
-
(1 rating)
Big question: Is filmmaker Gus Van Sant still doing his whole “Gerry”/“Elephant”/“Last Days” thing or has he returned to the more involving narratives of his earlier work?
Skip it: Just checking out the movie's trailer will answer that question, and “Paranoid Park” will no doubt find its most ardent supporters among fans of Van Sant’s recent work. If you thought watching any of those films was the equivalent of watching paint dry, don’t expect anything different here.
Catch it: “Gossip Girl” co-star Taylor Momsen is the only established actor in the film and it shows in her performance as an assertive, chatty teen who excitedly loses her virginity to a seemingly comatose Alex.
Bottom line: Lately it seems like Van Sant's cinematic interests don't extend beyond slow motion camerawork, ironic song choices and cool haircuts. “Paranoid Park” features one scene of gross-out graphic violence that would make Eli Roth wince, but otherwise the film passes by in a haze of amateurish acting and skateboarding montages. Just one more wearisome representation of aimless teenage life.
[“Paranoid Park” is also available through “IFC In Theaters,” a video on demand service from select cable providers and DirecTV.]
