Overrated

A Major Disappointment

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I love to see movies come along that deal with artists and their craft. The Girl With The Pearl Earring or Vincent and Theo. Even enjoyed Art School Confidential because it hurt to laugh at the truth that was evident in the movie about a young, talented artist that has all his hopes and dreams beat out of him by the modern nonsense crowd at the school.But, I digress. Local Color is a lovely movie, again about a talented, young artist, looking for some guidance and mentorship from an aging Russian master. Getting his persistent foot in the door was harder than he imagined, but wedge it in he did. The movie follows their journey during a mid-70's summer, a journey that takes the young man deeper into the world of classical art and one that takes the old man out of his despair and drowning in the bottle of vodka in his hands at all times.Stahl and Morgan are great, going back and forth at each other, sometimes cutting deep into tender feelings, sometimes soothing those wounds. Perlman was fantastic in his role as the stuck-up, modern art snob and the dinner scene where he gets skewered is worth the price of admission all by itself.That is the scene that probably earned all the One Star ratings here. Those that think modern art is somehow relevant will not like that scene at all and will be slobbering all over themselves to get in here and write a scathing review. The rest of us that like real art will be howling with laughter when Curtis gets shown how big a fool he really is.I loved this movie so much I made sure to buy the DVD new so as to help the filmmaker, George Gallo, make another payment on that mortgage he took out to make the movie. You can find out about that at Artist Mentors Online.If you like good movies that don't have any gun play, no bloodshed, no gratuitous sex scenes, then this movie is for you. Oh, there is that one part where the 20-year-old guy kisses the 36-year-old woman, but I'm sure you'll live through it. What a cougar she could have been. It did get an R-rating, but that was for the use of the "F" word by the old man, but it sounded quite natural coming from him. So you probably won't want your little ones watching this one with you. Wait until they get to junior high school and can teach you even better cuss words.

Local Color is a film to make you feel good about going to the movies. It's designed to make you think and appreciate the moments and people that touch you in your life. It is uplifting and heart-warming and in these times, I believe audiences want a story of hope, regardless of what the major studios seem to think.It's a movie about passion, commitment and following your dreams. John is an eighteen-year old on the cusp of manhood, seeking out his purpose in life and hoping he has the talent to reach his dreams. The movie seems to be about painting, but that is simply the canvas to examine life. It's really about seeking out the beauty in life and expressing it, through art and the relationships we form.Trevor Morgan has a long list of credits, but aside from his childhood role in The Sixth Sense, I was not familiar with his work. I will now be on the lookout for future roles. Perfectly cast, he radiates a subtle empathy and is very engaging and believable as a young man trying to find his way. He has very expressive eyes that seem to soak up all the words of wisdom his mentor imparts.Armin Mueller-Stahl is brilliant as the disillusioned master painter. Nicoli is a bitter, old drunk, ravaged by the cruelty of the world, yet he has a basic decency that defies his angry words. He rediscovers his passion for the beauty of nature as expressed in art, while expressing his outrage at the sad state of the modern art community.The changing structure of the art world stands as a metaphor for the changes of society as a whole. Negativity and immediacy seem to have replaced hope and patience. True talent is ignored in favor of the latest fancy.The entire cast is excellent with standouts Ray Liotta, memorable as the gruff father, and Ron Perlman, comically cast as an over-the-top art dealer who spars memorably with Nicoli. Samantha Mathis, Charles Durning and Diana Scarwid also have nice roles and it's always inspiring to know actors will take on roles simply for the love of the character and the relevance of the movie. Mueller-Stahl was drawn out of retirement simply because of the power of his character and the beauty of the script.There is a voice-over narrative during parts of the film and for me that is always risky. It takes a deft touch to make the dialogue relevant without being pretentious, but it works beautifully for this film. Mr. Gallo does his own narration and that seems entirely fitting since he is now the middle-aged man whose youthful story is being told. It gives the film a reality and depth, continuing John's journey well beyond the scope of the movie.This is a movie made out of love and passion, from the director mortgaging his home to the many well-known actors who worked for nothing to get it made. This is a movie that had me thinking Oscar; the quality is that great, especially Mueller-Stahl, except it holds none of the self-serving pretentiousness of some personal stories.Local Color makes you feel… I laughed unexpectedly many times during the movie, my heart soared other times, and tears filled my eyes on one memorable occasion, but most importantly it makes you think and reconsider your life and your dreams. If you are young it should help you find the focus to strive for what mark you want to leave on the world and if you are older it is a chance to reflect back on what your gifts have been and how you've used them. It offers hope for a better world if we would simply focus on the positive and the beauty surrounding us and go forward from this point trying to do our best and leave that mark because as Nicoli says, "Life is short." I was fortunate to view the movie at a limited engagement in Phoenix and Mr. Gallo was there for a Q & A after. It is always fascinating to listen to the creative process of how a film is made and George was personable and insightful. As a novice writer it was comforting to know his perspective on writing follows along with how I write, mainly that the characters drive the story. As a writer you have a thought you want to present, you should know where you want to end up, but HOW you get there should be driven by the characters' thought processes.Too many movies force characters to follow through with stupid actions to propel the plot along some preconceived trajectory. A great writer like Mr. Gallo puts his characters in an interesting situation and then follows them as they find their way to the end point. I do believe that is why his scripts are so true and real and don't feel phony or forced.As the writer of Midnight Run, he has proved his worth as a storyteller. With the beauty and depth of Local Color he proves his vision as a filmmaker. The movie is filmed like a great masterpiece with each shot ready to freeze frame and mount on your wall as a fine art painting. Combining the visual beauty of the photography with the eloquence of his words demonstrates what great film-making is all about.Local Color is a beautiful movie you will enjoy and be thankful for. It will open your eyes to the possibilities of life and what you can accomplish. It will reinforce the importance of mentoring and if you've ever been the recipient of someone's guidance it will offer you a moment to look back and remember the impact one person can make in another's life. Local Color is entertaining and heartwarming and will inspire you to make that connection and make the world better. What more can we ask of the movies?

A must see film for people who love good true stories about following ones passions, Too bad that big studios are only about big $ and think that the public does not want to see good movies that don't have the shoot um up, kill, action. I believe people do want to watch movies that inspire people to follow their dreams. As a film maker myself I thank George and his Wife for not giving up. If you are lucky enough to have this film come to your town go see it and tell your friends to see it. Note The big studios said that no one wanted to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding, who was wrong about that. Not the public.Hang in there George.

I just saw this incredible movie at the Sedona Film Festival and met the director, writer and artist, George Gallo, on whose own youth this true story is based. I could not be more enthusiastic in my recommendations for this film, AND it could use support, as he and his wife mortgaged their house to make it. So please see it and if you like it, tell your friends.As an artist myself, I can well relate to the "death of art" described by the elder mentor in the film, who is discouraged by modern art and its snobbish disregard for the classical artists who passionately seek to capture and share a moment of divine beauty. Even more so, it is a powerful and sensitive human story of the power of love to redeem the tragedies of the past. Other reviewers have described the plot better than I. My intent is to alert all artists of any media, and those who care about beauty and love to go see and support this film. Gallo said it was very difficult to get it distributed because it lacks sex, violence and destruction, as though that were all we moviegoers want to see. What a parallel to the theme of the movie itself, in which the elder artist laments that too much art is no longer about inspiring us or sharing beauty, but to express the ugliness and violence of the world.