First of all, let me say that I admire anyone who can make an independent feature-length film. It takes a lot of hard work and determination. I admire that about TOTALLY CONFUSED. The idea isn't new, but the voice is...or WOULD be, if the story were told more from the point of view of the gay Wiley character, who has a "Woody Allen"-like voice. This would have made for a much more interesting movie than splitting the p.o.v. up between him and Johnny, whose character isn't as strong or interesting.
The film's faults are that it doesn't have a very strong idea of what it wants to be: angst-ridden comedy? relationship drama? sexy coming-of-age character study? The writer-director team should have made a more conscious decision as to what they wanted the film to be about instead of spreading it across the board.
Now we come to the biggest flaw of the film: the writer and the director playing the two leads. If this were strictly a comedy, Gary Rosen would have been fine in his role, but in the dramatic scenes, his efforts fall flat. Greg Pritikin as Johnny has some strong moments, but overall, he does not have the dramatic ability to be convincing or maintain a believable character. Perhaps they were pulling a John Sayles to save money. During the makeout scenes, I couldn't shake the knowledge that it was the director and the writer kissing and rolling around on the bed, and what was that like for them?
Which brings me to another big gripe, one which I've talked about before. MILD SPOILER
I don't know Mr. Pritikin's or Mr. Rosen's sexual orientation, but when you have a scene in a film where a longtime gay desire is about to be realized, the kiss must be PASSIONATE. We're supposed to believe that Wiley is about to kiss his "fantasy man", Johnny (who we're also led to believe is relieving HIS pent-up bisexual urges), and this climactic kiss is a peck on the lips? If you want people to believe your characters are turned on by each other, kiss like they are! And if you don't want to do it, hire good actors who will!
The storyline is left completely unresolved, leading me to believe that this was intended to be a character piece, and stronger actors (like Jackie Katzman as Annie) would have helped. I see that the director has gone on to bigger movies with the likes of Adrien Brody, Illeana Douglas and Ron Leibman, so perhaps he's learned his lesson.
The film's faults are that it doesn't have a very strong idea of what it wants to be: angst-ridden comedy? relationship drama? sexy coming-of-age character study? The writer-director team should have made a more conscious decision as to what they wanted the film to be about instead of spreading it across the board.
Now we come to the biggest flaw of the film: the writer and the director playing the two leads. If this were strictly a comedy, Gary Rosen would have been fine in his role, but in the dramatic scenes, his efforts fall flat. Greg Pritikin as Johnny has some strong moments, but overall, he does not have the dramatic ability to be convincing or maintain a believable character. Perhaps they were pulling a John Sayles to save money. During the makeout scenes, I couldn't shake the knowledge that it was the director and the writer kissing and rolling around on the bed, and what was that like for them?
Which brings me to another big gripe, one which I've talked about before. MILD SPOILER
I don't know Mr. Pritikin's or Mr. Rosen's sexual orientation, but when you have a scene in a film where a longtime gay desire is about to be realized, the kiss must be PASSIONATE. We're supposed to believe that Wiley is about to kiss his "fantasy man", Johnny (who we're also led to believe is relieving HIS pent-up bisexual urges), and this climactic kiss is a peck on the lips? If you want people to believe your characters are turned on by each other, kiss like they are! And if you don't want to do it, hire good actors who will!
The storyline is left completely unresolved, leading me to believe that this was intended to be a character piece, and stronger actors (like Jackie Katzman as Annie) would have helped. I see that the director has gone on to bigger movies with the likes of Adrien Brody, Illeana Douglas and Ron Leibman, so perhaps he's learned his lesson.
