2008 Woodie Awards
I'll Show You My 'Bunny'
Billy Hines
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: Valley Life
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"Brown Bunny"
Vincent Gallo, Chloë Sevigny
Dir.: Vincent Gallo
4 stars
When viewing a film, the average consumer of cinematic entertainment usually expects that the film will be funny, scary or dramatic, depending on its genre. It is also more-or-less expected that the film will show the development of a few characters through a clever plot and dialogue. If I had walked into Hollywood's ArcLight Cinemas as that average consumer with such unimaginative expectations, I would have inevitably gone home feeling rather hurt.
"The Brown Bunny," written, directed, produced, edited and starring the obviously eccentric artist Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66) has the bare minimum of the aforementioned elements, but that's what makes it such a great movie.
For all intents and purposes, "The Brown Bunny" could be considered a silent film with the exception of the occasional background sound and dialogue. Even with minimal sound, it effectively illustrates the pain of a lonely, lovesick man trying to replace his lost love.
A beautiful work of art, the film centers on professional motorcyclist Bud Clay. During a cross-country trip to California, Bud encounters several women who immediately find themselves sucked into the black hole of his axe-murderer good looks. Right off the bat, his shifty demeanor makes the women noticeably uncomfortable. As soon as he sees past the women's beauty, he realizes they could never replace his Daisy, and without explanation he leaves them behind, one by one.
The camera work makes you feel like you are in the passenger seat of Bud's van as he travels past the St. Louis skyline and through the Rocky Mountains. In one of the most memorable scenes of the trip, Bud takes his motorcycle out onto the Salt Flats of Utah , riding out until he is merely a blip, surrealistically floating on the horizon.
If you've heard about "The Brown Bunny" you already know there is a sexually graphic scene between Chloë Sevigny's and Gallo's characters, which is every bit as real and explicit as an 'adult' film. I would be remiss if I didn't mention it in this review, but if that is why you are planning to see this movie, save yourself the trouble and rent a porn flick. That being said, it's your loss if you don't see it.
Vincent Gallo, Chloë Sevigny
Dir.: Vincent Gallo
4 stars
When viewing a film, the average consumer of cinematic entertainment usually expects that the film will be funny, scary or dramatic, depending on its genre. It is also more-or-less expected that the film will show the development of a few characters through a clever plot and dialogue. If I had walked into Hollywood's ArcLight Cinemas as that average consumer with such unimaginative expectations, I would have inevitably gone home feeling rather hurt.
"The Brown Bunny," written, directed, produced, edited and starring the obviously eccentric artist Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66) has the bare minimum of the aforementioned elements, but that's what makes it such a great movie.
For all intents and purposes, "The Brown Bunny" could be considered a silent film with the exception of the occasional background sound and dialogue. Even with minimal sound, it effectively illustrates the pain of a lonely, lovesick man trying to replace his lost love.
A beautiful work of art, the film centers on professional motorcyclist Bud Clay. During a cross-country trip to California, Bud encounters several women who immediately find themselves sucked into the black hole of his axe-murderer good looks. Right off the bat, his shifty demeanor makes the women noticeably uncomfortable. As soon as he sees past the women's beauty, he realizes they could never replace his Daisy, and without explanation he leaves them behind, one by one.
The camera work makes you feel like you are in the passenger seat of Bud's van as he travels past the St. Louis skyline and through the Rocky Mountains. In one of the most memorable scenes of the trip, Bud takes his motorcycle out onto the Salt Flats of Utah , riding out until he is merely a blip, surrealistically floating on the horizon.
If you've heard about "The Brown Bunny" you already know there is a sexually graphic scene between Chloë Sevigny's and Gallo's characters, which is every bit as real and explicit as an 'adult' film. I would be remiss if I didn't mention it in this review, but if that is why you are planning to see this movie, save yourself the trouble and rent a porn flick. That being said, it's your loss if you don't see it.
