"That's a nice-a donut."
Friday, April 08, 2005
It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books
The title of the very low-budget movie, It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books, comes from the Russian translation of words on the main character's shirt. We never see the front of the shirt, and only know about this because a passerby who has familiarity with the language tells us so. This is just one of many random, meaningless, and irrelevant things that happen, and serves seemingly no purpose in advancing the "plot" of the movie. The story, if you can call it one, basically involves a guy who decides to not return for another semester of college and then aimlessly travels on busses and trains for most of the movie.
The film, like the main character (played by the director, Richard Linklater) never really seems to go anywhere. It is relatively boring and utterly forgettable. It sometimes felt like I was watching a documentary on Discovery or the National Geographic Channel, except that those programs are shorter, better edited, and usually much more interesting. I have no problem with experimental films, but this one just doesn't work for me. Thankfully Linklater would keep at it and go on to become a first-rate filmmaker, including Dazed and Confused, Before Sunset, and School of Rock, among others.
The verdict: D+.
Michael Bentley 2:18 PM
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