JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonThe Salton Sea (2002) - Footage Included
May 31st 2007 07:47
The Salton Sea
DVD Cover
Writer:Tony Gayton
Starring:Val Kilmer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Luis Guzman, Peter Sarsgaard, R Lee Emery, Deborah Kara Unger, Meat Loaf, Anthony LaPaglia, Adam Goldberg
“Sometimes you see the world so clearly... and you know just what to do, and just when to do it. Just what you should've done, and when you should've done it.” - Danny
The Salton Sea is a mysterious, cerebral journey that energetically enters a world of drug addicted speed fiends and desperate cops willing to take down their adversaries with extreme prejudice.
“I deal in U.S. pounds, friend. None of that faggot metric shit for me.” – Pooh Bear
Opening in a burning house with Danny Parker/Tom Van Allen (Val Kilmer) playing a melancholy trumpet as the walls crumble around him, reality dissolving in unison. A mangled duplicity and warped perception fuel contemplation of identity as he struggles with the crisis of emotional turmoil for past mistakes.
As the flames rise we are taken back in classic noir style with voice over to observe the events that led to Danny's psychological despair.
“So that's where I found myself. No, I should choose my words more wisely. This is the world I sought out. The land of the perpetual night party, day swallowing night and night swallowing day. The crank compressing time like some defying piston on its awesome downstroke. We've been at this for three days... or is it four? Tweakers, lockers, slammers, coming and going, swearing eternal allegiance and undying love for one another, only to wake up after the binge and realize you wouldn't walk across the stree to piss on one of them if their head was on fire. Three days. Or is it four? I know what you're thinking, but don't give up on me just yet. Just wait 'til I've told my whole story. And keep your eyes open. Nothing is as it seems.” - Danny
This seems somehow familiar.
John Doe Says:
Taking a plot that blends the essence of Memento and Fight Club with some tweeker inspired composition. The Salton Sea is derivative but also an intelligent thriller, stylishly staged with a cool veneer and baggies full of black comedy.
After helming several TV shows (Smallville, Dark Angel) Director DJ Caruso’s (Taking Lives, Disturbia) feature film debut is a confident attempt at atmospheric visual trickery and narrative games with substance. In the making of featurette below he says, “I wanted to be as visually prepared as Hitchcock, but give my actors the freedom that (John) Cassavettes gave them.”
(Sadly the promise shown with this film has disappeared in DJ’s later efforts)
The kinetic cinematography often thrusts the audience into unique David Fincher type alternate angles. The music and sound design are also attentively developed to ensure the viewers senses remain unbalanced.
The jazzy script happily finds barbed humour in the uncomfortable and bleak, while also working out of chronological order to keep you engaged. Stumbling a little about three quarters through, the sometimes philosophical dialogue has flair and is spoken by a cast who believe it all.
Method man Val Kilmer (The Doors, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Heat, Spartan, Thunderheart) shines bright, obsessively inhabiting the lead role. Physically transforming himself, his striking tattoo’s and progressively caustic appearance enable an internalised performance that entertains because of his commitment.
The ever evolving Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Ed Wood, The Player, JFK, Strange Days) impresses. Again, almost unrecognisable as the drug riddled dealer with vile, psychotic tendencies and a missing nose.
John Doe grooves to this style of storytelling when it’s handled with skill. He was able to overlook its faults, like lack of originality (You will probably guess where it’s all going early on) with strong performances, colourful language and often striking camera work and design.
The DVD:
Transfer: 2:35:1 Anamorphic/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Cast and Crew interviews, Featurette on the design of the film and a trailer.
Hilarious scene from the film, Val Kilmer narrates a brief history of Methamphetamines.
Below you can watch a making of documentary about the film with interviews from cast and crew.
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Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah this sounds like a good film... I have never heard of it. Being a gal naturally I think Val Kilmer is ~cough~ a great actor... obviously the only reason I watch his films!
No seriously he is a great actor (The Saint!) this looks like one that I need to look out for. I liked the vid... that poor kamakazee pilot would certainly need all the help he could get me thinks!
great review look forward to the film
ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
If its Val your looking for then this one is an eccentric and enjoyable performance. It's only the story that's falters.
The Saint was a miscast, Val played straight faced serious instead of having funb with it. See Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang for a good example.
Hope you come back and tell me what you think of it.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I agree Taking Lives was a lost cause and Disturbia, not much better as a Hitchcock rework....this one is what it is.
Peter Sarsgaard is good in most everything....isn't he?
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
I actually own this one...and it's a good film as far as I'm concerned...yes, a tad cerebral for some, but I enjoyed the hell out of it!
Great review!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It is a fun film isnt it....and nothing wrong with cerebral entertainment. engage the mind and you engage me.
Cool to meet another fan for this under discussed thriller.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
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like you said, though, disturbia was a little predictable..