Geekscape at Sundance 2011 – Uncle Kent Movie Review
Geekscape at Sundance 2011
Uncle Kent
USA, 2010, 72 min, Color
Director: Joe Swanberg
Writers: Kent Osborne, Joe Swanberg
Cast: Kent Osborne, Jennifer Prediger
This film captures exactly what it must feel like to be 40, single and an artist in Silverlake (East LA). A superb and genuine performance by Kent Osborne (Surviving Christmas, Open Houses, School Ties), along with a talented cast, makes this DIY low budget feature very fun to watch. Kent is a slightly immature, 40-year-old cartoonist who frequents a bong and Chatroulette to avoid boredom. The film picks up as Kent prepares for a visit by Kate (Jennifer Prediger), an attractive environmentalist writer whom he met online. Immediately apparent is their chemistry, but the fact that she has a boyfriend puts a hefty wrench into Kent’s plans. Over the next four days, the two push the limits of their relationship by engaging in numerous activities, most of which are rather raunchy. By the time Sarah has to leave for the airport, the viewer is impressed by what Kent has learned and also by what he has failed to learn.
The audience immediately identifies with Kent. We know he means well, but it seems like he just can’t keep interactions and relationships from getting messy. His friends seem to have realized his situation, but don’t really help him out either. An example of Kent’s goodness, even if a misguided use of his talent, is that he takes the time to make freestyle sketches of the screen shots of other Chatroulette users. Watching Kent sketch the cartoon versions of some of his fellow characters is a cool transition that plays nicely throughout the film.
This is director Joe Swanberg’s sixth feature and he delivers exactly what he intended – a snap shot of May 2010 that showcases how people communicate, both online and in person. Even though the characters are all portraying late 30 something’s, there are lessons for 20 something’s as well. Swanberg made the movie with a group of his friend who are not professional actors but was able to get them to deliver great performances. The use of numerous long shots is a testament to his directing skills.
Visually, the film referenced the style akin of several graphic novelists. Static shots, chiaroscuro lighting schemes, and focal points within each frame where set up based on the work of noted comic authors including: Joe Matt (The Poor Bastard), Adrian Tomine (Optic Nerve), Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy), and Alison Bechedel (Fun Home). Despite their choice of a unique visual style, the filmmakers managed to keep the documentary feel intact. Going in, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to stop noticing the pixelization (the movie appears to be shot on SD video). Nowadays, this is a practically an artistic choice since HD has become so cheap to shoot. The press info packet says HD, but it really does look like the old Panasonic DVX – the trusty camera that shoots most of the Geekscape episodes! Inter-cut within the film is Flip-cam style footage that is really, really well used.
You should look forward to “Uncle Kent” as an engaging, sexy, dark comedy that keeps you entertained and is very relevant to the younger post college residents of LA.
