Karry
Best movie of this year hands down!
StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Protraph
Lack of good storyline.
PiraBit
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
A few weeks ago a friend mine called me and told that I had to watch a film called Man in the Chair on the Sundance Channel. He said that Christopher Plummer was in it, and that was good enough for me.I had no idea that I was about to experience a film of absolute beauty. The writing, directing, acting, etc are beyond praise.Plummer expertly plays a film gaffer who has not worked since 1968 and becomes involved with a young man attempting to make a student film to enter a competition for a film school scholarship. What ensues is a film about true friendship, elder abuse, animal neglect, and the raising of the human spirit.All of the actors are superb, but special mention must be made of M. Emmet Walsh's performance of a writer who has not worked in decades. Perfection.Actually, perfection sums up this film.Thanks to all involved, especially writer/director Michael Schroeder, for this gift of a film.
doubleo
Despite a compelling theme, some truly sparkling dialogue, and terrific performances by misters Plummer, Wagner, and Walsh, this film comes across rather uneven. The direction is heavy-handed, at times bordering on trite, the production design doesn't contribute much, and the photography is pretentious and annoying -- more appropriate to a music video, than a heartfelt drama. An older, more experienced DP could've made this infinitely more watchable! The script has a lot of potential, but could have, definitely, used another re-write (or two) and a bit of patching of some truly gaping holes, before going into production. The editing is, likewise, uninspired -- most of the shots linger a couple of beats too long, making the overall pace just tedious enough to lose tension.
editfilmr
I just got back from the Stony Brook Film Festival , in which "Man in the Chair" , made it's New York premiere .Excellent Oscar worthy performances turned in by Christopher Plummer [ Best Actor ] in the role of Flash , a former gaffer for Orson Welles and M. Emmet Walsh [ Best Supporting Actor ] in the role of Mickey , a forgotten , award winning screen writer . Both roles revolved around the young high school movie enthusiast and budding filmmaker, Cameron Kincaid [ played by Michael Angarano ] . The evolving plot(s) not only take you into his world of a teen-aged student and "peer-pressured" lower class adolescent , but weave into our current societal "maladies" of throwaway , and discard-able "living remnants" all around us . The "remnants" to include the elderly (their abuse and sad state of being forgotten and being "discounted" among family , and society - at - large ), dogs ( and pets ) in general , that are abandoned by humans ( and their fate amongst the heap of "the remnant pile" ) , and "old Hollywood" memories , personal pictures , cameras , equipment , "secret gathering places" with loads of history and nostalgia ( lost to modern methods , means , and maniacal quests for mega-money ) . You leave the theater with these topics in mind , forever floating as the "tapestry" of them has been woven right before you . As with the elderly , for anyone who has seen Micheal Moore's "Sicko" , this movie ties nicely into the bigger aspect on not only health care , but the elderly's forgotten "value" and skills and attributes , that one day shone brightly in the world , and may be tapped into again , if only asked . Most importantly , we ALL will be elderly , ... someday !Pets were linked to the throwaway theme , and screams loudly at other "items" that we once care for and may care and love us , unconditionally back .Sadly , noting the many , many "little people" that so profoundly produced the celluloid epics we have loved on the silver screen for generations . That they "may" have been listed in the flashing credits at the end of every movie , but yet played an everlasting part to bring us memorable film magic . Their stories, their memories , their memorabilia , mostly discarded and forgotten . Yet , just as integral a role as the finest Actor and best Director on a memorable film . As Flash put it in the film , " we "others" who didn't socialize with the "uppers" , but took just as much pride in the wrap ! " .I leave it to you and your experiencing the film ,to encounter who THAT man in the chair IS , and what responsibilities , sacrifices , and amounts of time and love are required , to be , there . As a society , we are : the rising younger generation , and please ponder , with this film , their ties ( our ties )to the declining , enriched generations , we will someday become .Good luck to Micheal Schroeder and his ensemble in an award worthy winning film .
sdhak
Hello, I saw your movie a few weeks ago at the Kent Film Festival in Kent, CT, and I can't stop raving about it. No kidding, it is up there as probably one of the best films I have ever seen. I am wondering why it has not become a major box office hit, and why it is not "out there" in circulation. I believe in the power of film to change the world, and the message in this film for young and the aging alike was powerful. Please tell me how I can go about getting a copy of this so I can share with with others. Bravo!! I am guessing that Christopher Plummer will be nominated for an academy award. He certainly deserves it. I cannot wait to see this film at the box office. Susan Hackel