This sprawling, surrealist musical serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, as it follows the adventures of a young coffee salesman in Europe...
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This sprawling, surrealist musical serves as an allegory for the pitfalls of capitalism, as it follows the adventures of a young coffee salesman in Europe. Many actors play multiple roles, giving the film a stagy tone.
Written by Philip Brubaker <coda@nando.net>
The "Meths drinkers" are extreme, down and out alcoholics - what Americans might refer to as "skid row" bums. They drink 'methylated spirit', or "wood alcohol", which is very cheap, a poisonous variety of alcohol used as a fuel for lanterns and stoves and as a cleaning fluid and solvent. It is a nerve poison, which often causes blindness, so only those so poor and hard up for a drink that they will knowingly drink poison will drink it if nothing else can be found. (American down-and-outs often drink what is called "squeeze", made by squeezing the methyl alcohol liquid out of "canned heat" ("Sterno" brand is one such) heating gel.
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Goofs
Continuity:
Blood on Travis' face appears and disappears after the interrogation scene.
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Quotes
Film director:
Smile! Michael Arnold Travis:
For what? There's nothing to smile about!
Film director:
You don't have to have a reason. Just do it. Michael Arnold Travis:
But there's nothing to smile about. See more »