I chose this film as the cover art looked exactly like my sort of thing. It had an air of 'Indie' to it, and luckily, it's just the sort of tone I look for in a film. A cast which has escaped from US Television, an unusual hobby or talent moulded into a competitive element (in this case, voiceover work), and a cast featuring a couple of actors whose work I enjoy; Nick Offerman being the offering on this occasion.
What is odd about 'In A World...' is that, like Whip It, another film which used an unusual competitive hobby as a template (in that instance, roller derbies), the central element really is not interesting enough to make a complete film about, but it's partially saved by Lake Bell, who delivers an unusually naive-yet-bold performance. Personally, I'm not her biggest fan and she has the facial structure of a post-op transsexual, but she has an Indie-esque level of confidence about her, and this being written and directed by her, it all runs along nicely.
Unfortunately, the film never really finds a focal point. The narrative peak is signposted well in advance, and the outcome is as predictable, meaning the audience never really needs to find the edge of their seat, never mind actually perching on it.
'In A World' is a Sunday afternoon film. It's pedestrian and inoffensive, and if you're a fan of any of the cast members, then you'll probably like it. Just...
6/10
2 comments:
Nice review. It's almost a return to form for you compared to your earliest reviews (which were and still are as of this point your best work) but not quite. I don't really understand what you mean by 'narrative peak' as such and I'm sure that a post-op transsexual looks nice if you get a decent surgeon to do the job. Besides, I'm not sure what one even looks like, probably like Paul Burleigh or something. Nice use of the IMDB link by the way, very handy. I agree voice over work as a competitive hobby is very unusual, and making a compelling film about it is a bit of a challenge, but I guess that's sorta what Indie films are supposed do? Who knows. Just saw a picture of Lake bell on IMDB, I see what you mean now... hmm
I watched this film because I was sorta bored. I found it a typical indie film, boring, empty and directionless. The only interesting part I watched was when they were involved in the actual voice over industry work, which I have little actual knowledge about, so I was interested in finding out more about that. The other stuff was just typical indie bullshit, going to some fancy party, having meaningless chats, having sex, and then discussing it. Reminds me of the one with ben stiller that I really hated. Greenburg?
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