I MELT WITH YOU

This film was not at all what I was expecting and that's a wonderful thing. I knew only of the basic premise of the movie which sounded like a run-of-the-mill reunion story, but I certainly underestimated this film. Written by Glen Porter, and directed by Mark Pellington (U2 3D, HENRY POOLE IS HERE), I MELT WITH YOU begins like one of those reunion rehashes, but soon devolves into a drug-fueled, self destructive nightmare. I mean that as a compliment with the upmost sincerity.

Richard (Thomas Jane), Jonathan (Rob Lowe), Ron (Jeremy Piven), and Tim (Christian McKay) are all college buddies who meet annually to catch up and relive their alcohol and drugged out, hard partying days. Richard is a disillusioned school teacher who once had dreams of becoming an accomplished writer. Jonathan has a lucrative career as a physician; however, his financial "derives" from his unethical approach to medicine. Ron has a loving wife and family for whom he has provided a comfortable life with his work as an investment broker, but Ron also owes much of his success to illegal practices. Tim has always been the sensitive guy of the group. So when tragedy strikes taking two loved ones away, he falls into a profound state of depression.

The weekend begins as usual with the guys consuming mass quantities of alcohol and drug, but then takes a very dark turn as their attempts at escapism fail miserably and they cannot escape the demons of their past as well as their present. I have to say this truly dark and disturbing film has been my favorite of the festival so far. If Aronofsky's REQUIEM FOR A DREAM raped Cassavettes' HUSBANDS, this movie would be the evil, ungodly spawn. Director Mark Pellington, who has had a career directing music videos uses this highly stylistic approach beautifully and effectively. Glen Porter's script is amazing and gives the outstanding cast an opportunity to really display their acting chops. I also absolutely loved the 70s and 80s punk rock/new wave soundtrack that often heightens the action in the film. Thomas Jane arrived at the end of the screening for a Q & A. While proud of this work of art, he does almost apologetically label the movie as a downer. This film clearly will have an impact and will surely polarize audiences. This was obviously indicated as some people left during the screening.

Mark Saldana

The Movie Doc