VIFF

Feb. 6, 2009

Bart Got a Room (USA, 2008, Brian Hecker)

The film, defined pretty accurately by writer/director Brian Hecker as a John Sayles teen comedy passed through a Woody Allen sensibility, is probably best described as (for all the positive AND negative connotations of the word) cute. The set up--it is prom time and our dweebish lead Danny, tormented by indecision and insecurity, is trying to decide who take--a hot sophomore cheerleader, or his closest, but less attractive best friend Camille. Complicating matters, Danny's divorced parents are

The film is at its best when it is in observational mode. In the opening act, Hecker's camera ambles around the southern Floridian setting, taking in the sights and sounds of all things squaresville, without getting too caught up in the need to get to the business of the plot. Particularly funny are the scenes between Danny and his father Ernie, played by the ever-reliable William H. Macy. The old man tries to tutor his son on how to read women's non-verbal communication while simultaneously (and unsuccessfully) attempting to pitch some woo himself.








However, things begin to get a tad predictable and the humour more rote-like when plot mechanisms kick in. As the well-worn conventions of the story assert themselves, Bart Got a Room loses some of the charm it banks in the opening acts. Still, Hecker's film, despite its inconsistencies, must be considered a success. His attention to detail in his presentation of the southern Florida setting establishes a comic tone that carries the film through its roughest patches, and Hecker is wise to make ample use of his greatest assets in the film, such as his employment of the always watchable William H. Macy, and a solid supporting cast that includes Cheryl Hines, Jennifer Tilly and Alia Shawcat.

With a distribution deal now in place, the film can be seen by folks in New York, L.A. and southern Florida as early as April 2009.