#56 - Paranoid Park

Directed by Gus Van Sant
2007 Drama
Rated R

**** 1/2

Gus Van Sant's last four films, Gerry, Elephant, Last Days, and Paranoid Park, have all had a similar style; experimental docu-dramas that follow seemingly normal situations that unexpectedly explode in violence. His next film, Milk, about the life of Harvey Milk, is a big-budget production with several stars, so it appears his style will be shifting again. But what a note to go out on. Paranoid Park tells the story of Alex, a 16 year-old skateboarder who witnesses a grisly accidental murder. Told from the perspective of Alex trying to write down what happened, it is told out of order, with things cut out and then added in later when Alex is finally able to write them down. The murder in question isn't actually seen by the viewer until about halfway through the murder, but no matter how much we have been prepared for it, it is still more shocking and disgusting than expected. As with his last two films, Van Sant's uses mostly non-actors, again getting that documentary feel that he seems to be going for, and it works perfectly. These kids feel so much like high schoolers and skateboarders because they ARE high schoolers and skateboarders. It would be interesting to see how Gerry would've worked had he gone with two non-actors instead of Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. As for the pacing, people who weren't fans of the previous two films will find this much easier to follow; while it does jump around a lot, Van Sant has realized that he can throw in some straightforward movie techniques and still stay true to his vision. The film certainly feels largely improvised, and it works in its favor. Alex's discussion with the Detective plays out completely like you would expect in real life. This is Van Sant's most complete of his recent films (though maybe less affecting), and he seems to have realized it. Looking forward to what style he goes with next.