One-Star Bonanza

Movie: Off the Boulevard

My Rating: 1 star

Yikes!  This is the first film from Prescreen that I actively disliked.  Some of the other indie films on the site have had their flaws, but this one never had a chance, because I just found director Jeff Santo’s basic premise to be very misinformed (or willfully blind).  This film is a documentary about the “corrupt” Hollywood entertainment industry, and about how it tries to keep the little guy down.  Santo attempts to show that this is the reason that none of his artist friends, nor he, have been successful in the biz.  He is dead-earnest in his beliefs, so it’s just painful to watch this group of only mildly talented actors and musicians moaning, and whining, and trying to assign the blame for their failures to someone else.  Unwittingly, I think Santo has made a very clear case with this documentary for exactly why these guys haven’t found fame or fortune yet.  It’s sad to say so, because I really am happy to see new artists succeed.  But if they’re going to have a bad attitude about it, I’m not going to be so quick with my support.

The tone of this film makes me think that the director just lacks a basic understanding of how the entertainment market works.  In order to be famous and wealthy, people have to like you (or at least what you do).  Everyone wants to be in this business, so there’s tons of really fierce competition.  And, lots of these kids are genuine stars.  It’s tough to go up against that level of talent.  Agencies and studios take bets on a particular artist because they think they will make some money.  Artists benefit from a studio’s vast distribution network and other resources, so it’s reasonable for the studios to take some compensation from the artist in return.  It’s not the nicest system in the world, but it makes sense.  However, it’s becoming easier than ever for artists to distribute their own work these days with the internet.  So, if an actor doesn’t want to accept this deal, he can always opt out. The fact that the entertainers in this documentary don’t opt out means that at some level, they aren’t ready to acknowledge that they aren’t confident in their own skills.  They have to know.  Oh, but it feels good to blame someone else.

I’m sure the director intended for this film to feel like a salacious exposé; like he’s uncovering some big scandal.  But, the movie is just woefully inadequate.  It’s embarrassing, really.  And, it’s so long!  Geez!  Santo is not making a very good advertisement for anyone’s undiscovered/underappreciated talent when his own lack of editing skills or ability to tell a story are so patently on display.  Normally I’m very understanding with indie filmmakers.  Their first works may seem a little rough, but you can usually see a kernel of talent in their work.  And, you can see them grow in skill and popularity as they progress, which affords them access to more funding later on.  But, this film just rubbed me the wrong way.  The director’s attitude is just so entitled.  Entertainment is a tough business.  I understand that.  But, it’s not any harder for him than for anyone else.  And, not everyone can win.  The weaker material is destined to fail.  It’s a shame Santo has to find this out the hard way.