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March 09, 2005
I, Curmudgeon
A curmudgeon, the dictionary tells us, is an ill-tempered person full of resentment. Filmmaker Alan Zweig has been pretty bitter and curmudgeonly for a long time, and this documentary is a record of his attempt to not only define what a curmudgeon is in modern society but give curmudgeons a chance to speak up in their own company. The result is an odd string of interviews that are at times hilarious and at times more than a little sad. One gets the sense that most curmudgeons are optimists who have been disappointed a few too many times and lowered their expectations again and again in an attempt to not be disappointed again. Of course, that doesn’t work very well.
The only problem with "I, Curmudgeon" is that it's a little too long and doesn't really come to a sense of resolution. Well, and if you aren't a curmudgeon yourself, you may find it not to your taste. More than a couple people left during the showing this viewer attended, apparently overcome by the tide of negativity coming from the screen. Still, it's an interesting collection with some very witty people spouting off about their dissatisfaction with the world.
Showing with "How to be a Hollywood Player in Less than 10 Minutes," a bitingly funny and very meta take on Hollywood.
Shows 3/6, 6:30 pm (University Theater) and 3/8, 9:15 pm (Camera 12)
Posted by Ealasaid at March 9, 2005 02:21 PM