Kimberly Tennison

This being one of my favorite films for years now, I’ve learned that some people just don’t get it. I wouldn’t bother trying to show it to anyone who goes for “fun” movies or anyone who doesn’t strike you as particularly intelligent. There’s definitely a lot of existential theory as subject matter in this movie that will lose the lowest common denominator audience. Even film critics seemed to have had a hard time explaining it, as though it were some sort of David Lynch-ian plotless nightmare. It’s not that. In fact I find the story pretty simple to explain: A down-on-his-luck environmentalist named Albert feels lost and let down by life in the midst of being forced to work with corporate America for a campaign to save a local marsh. So he hires two quirky “existential detectives” and things go awry. Along the way lots of strange characters come into play, including his corporate nemesis Brad. Eventually Albert (and the audience) realize all these characters have their own deep-seeded issues, even seemingly perfect Brad and his model girlfriend. He uncovers and faces childhood trauma and overcomes it using the existential theory the detectives taught him. In the end he is able to make peace with the things he can’t change in life, like shallow people and the environmental crisis, and finds renewed purpose. Everything else in between is just quirky comedy. For all the deep and intense subject matter, it manages to stay lighthearted all the way through. Definitely has some weird randomness thrown in but its overall solid film with great performances, lots to think about, and great laughs. Super underrated, but those who never found themselves feeling like weirdos or misfits may have a hard time relating.