I saw this film today, on a copy that a friend had made from AMC back when they still had commercial free programing. I must rank this film among the worst films ever made, and to qualify that on the grounds that it was directed by a major director, stars a major actor, and was produced by a major studio.
Warren Beatty is absolutely terrible in this, though he was never a great actor; but the blame for this failure rests squarely on the shoulders of Penn. Not only did Penn cast Beaty, he shot the movie as well. The only redeeming quality that the film has is its visuals. There is some wonderful photography in this film, though I have to wonder how those craftsmen were able to continue to do good work when the stuff they were lighting and shooting was such utter rubbish, and it makes me wonder how the editor was ever able to finish cutting the film.
The movie begins with a completely ludicrous montage that seems to be mocking Fellini's 8 1/2 and la Dolce Vita. In fact the whole movie seems to be a poor imitation or jealous mockery of Fellini's superior films. But other than that there is no point to anything that happens in "Mickey One", and hardly any of the ludicrous events or characters represent anything of any substance. Its too long and dull to be a dream sequence, and its the only time you laugh is at how silly and bad this film is, so I don't think it can qualify as a satire either.
Also, the sound in the film is mixed terribly. Worst sound mix ever. The music is nice, but the sound mix is horrible and the characters speak their dialog without caring whether or not the audience hears it, not that the dialog needs to be heard either, because its as bad as the rest of the movie.
And Warren Beatty. Beatty is bad in this. his facial expressions are something that you would expect from an amateur and his imitation of Brando is less than admirable.
Its as if everyone working on the film-except the photographers-were actively trying to make the worst, most asinine film possible. The film is terrible and pretentious in every way, right down to the choice of using black and white, as if it were superior to color, when America had access to color film stock freely and cheaply for at least 15 years prior(it was expensive oversees, that is why it was not used in Europe and Japan).
A nominee for worst film ever, in competition with some of Tarantino's low-lights.
Warren Beatty is absolutely terrible in this, though he was never a great actor; but the blame for this failure rests squarely on the shoulders of Penn. Not only did Penn cast Beaty, he shot the movie as well. The only redeeming quality that the film has is its visuals. There is some wonderful photography in this film, though I have to wonder how those craftsmen were able to continue to do good work when the stuff they were lighting and shooting was such utter rubbish, and it makes me wonder how the editor was ever able to finish cutting the film.
The movie begins with a completely ludicrous montage that seems to be mocking Fellini's 8 1/2 and la Dolce Vita. In fact the whole movie seems to be a poor imitation or jealous mockery of Fellini's superior films. But other than that there is no point to anything that happens in "Mickey One", and hardly any of the ludicrous events or characters represent anything of any substance. Its too long and dull to be a dream sequence, and its the only time you laugh is at how silly and bad this film is, so I don't think it can qualify as a satire either.
Also, the sound in the film is mixed terribly. Worst sound mix ever. The music is nice, but the sound mix is horrible and the characters speak their dialog without caring whether or not the audience hears it, not that the dialog needs to be heard either, because its as bad as the rest of the movie.
And Warren Beatty. Beatty is bad in this. his facial expressions are something that you would expect from an amateur and his imitation of Brando is less than admirable.
Its as if everyone working on the film-except the photographers-were actively trying to make the worst, most asinine film possible. The film is terrible and pretentious in every way, right down to the choice of using black and white, as if it were superior to color, when America had access to color film stock freely and cheaply for at least 15 years prior(it was expensive oversees, that is why it was not used in Europe and Japan).
A nominee for worst film ever, in competition with some of Tarantino's low-lights.