Electric Shades of Grey (2001) (V)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Stuart Merrill

Writer:

Terry Merrill (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Cast

John Darrell	...	Father John
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Coleman
Joe Crane
Carolyn Hall
Susan Hayes
Chubby Jackson
Ken Keckler
Lowell Merril
Abe Newman
Larry Wright

Also Known As:

The Psychedelic Priest (USA) (video catalogue title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Allied International Films Inc.

Trivia:

Filmed in 1971 but not released until 2001 on video.

Decent psychedelic obscurity

"The Psychedelic Priest" was filmed in 1971, but wasn't released to the public until thirty years later when Something Weird unleashed this never seen psychedelic obscurity. Its not a lost masterpiece by any means, but its an interesting illustration of the generation. Unlike many other films from the era, this one is refreshingly unbiased, showing both the positives and the negatives of the Woodstock generation. Its a road movie obviously inspired by "Easy Rider", and while its nowhere near as powerful or definitive as that film, it has its effective moments and social commentary.

Unfortunately, its rather poorly made despite being somewhat engrossing. The acting is boring and the direction is choppy and poorly paced. Also, the film starts to degenerate into an over-the-top soap opera towards the end, with laughably dramatic moments. Still, its certainly worth watching. "The Psychedelic Priest" is rather incoherent, pointless, and pretentious at moments - but than again, so was the entire generation that spawned it. (5/10)