Comment

theorbys
Sep 10, 2013theorbys rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is AnneDromeda's comment from May 16, 2011 below, and I agree with it and quote it: This movie is an accomplishment for which all involved should be proud. It follows the obscenity trial faced by Lawrence Ferlinghetti after publishing Ginsberg's *Howl*. Courtroom drama is fleshed out by inserting scenes in which Ginsberg explains his inspirations (including flashbacks to critical life events), and gives a reading of his poem. All of this is juxtaposed with vivid, visceral dream sequences (illustrated by Eric Drooker) providing a visual interpretation of the poem. The direction of this film is incredibly intricate, and very well done. The courtroom scenes and the scenes in which Ginsberg discusses his inspirations are shot to look as though they were captured using film and cameras contemporary to the obscenity trial. Flashbacks to Ginsberg's formative days are shot in grainy black and white, as are the scenes in which he gives what looks like his first reading of Howl. In contrast to the relatively lo-fi, analogue feel of the live action scenes, Eric Drooker's illustrated poem sequences hit the eye and the mind like a peyote trip. The animation is graceful, clean, surreal, incredibly vivid, and absolutely in keeping with Ginsberg's vision of love sanctifying the earthly and profane. The entire cast turns in strong performances, most notably James Franco, who improbably captures Ginsberg with such chemistry that it's hard to believe he didn't win awards. Mary Louise Parker, Jon Hamm and others also make notable, well-cast and well-acted appearances. Much of the true-life feel of the film's dialogue hails from its source - extensive court and interview transcripts were mined in the writing of the script. On the whole, this is an incredibly engrossing film.