This film was a powerful & realistic telling of a relationship gone wrong. At times, I was almost uncomfortable watching it. I liked that it was in B&W. See it!
13 Reviews
realistic & powerful
badgirlbubby8 April 1999
A COMPELLING AND POWERFUL FILM
bazdol25 November 1999
For anyone who has been there, this tale of obsessive attachment and sexual jealousy will be painful to watch. Staring out as a rather sweet arrangement, felt mutually by both parties, it ends up with Mr. Vincent as a stalker and dangerous person. Excellent acting and direction. Thank God for the Independent Film Chan
very independent
filmman5617 July 2000
Although it's clear that "Mr. Vincent" was written for low-budget, Mr. Celestino's ability to get this film in-the-can for $20K is admirable, to say the least. It was gritty, wonderfully photographed, well acted and directed.
Having said that, I'm still trying to understand the level of praise heaped upon this film. Although Celestino's focus on obsessive behavior was clear, it still remains a rather typical story with typical outcomes. Neither of the lead characters was particularly compelling or empathetic. In short, although a great personal accomplishment, "Mr. Vincent" remains a film without anything unique to say.
Having said that, I'm still trying to understand the level of praise heaped upon this film. Although Celestino's focus on obsessive behavior was clear, it still remains a rather typical story with typical outcomes. Neither of the lead characters was particularly compelling or empathetic. In short, although a great personal accomplishment, "Mr. Vincent" remains a film without anything unique to say.
Too many film festival entries are just like this
MBunge25 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Mr. Vincent is like the classic stereotype of the film festival movie. It's not very good and not at all entertaining, but there's just enough talent on display and just enough storytelling that departs from the norm to make pretentious viewers think it's much better than what it is.
Johnny Vincent (Frank John Hughes) is a Yonkers native who's dreamed his whole life of being a musician, but ended up teaching English at his old high school and renting his boyhood home from his parents while continuing to pathetically sing his songs in the corner of a local bar. After his wife leaves him in a scene with all the passion of someone opening a tin of sardines, Johnny runs into a woman he went to high school with. Lisa (Lisa LoCicero) is a waitress who hates her job and is instantly attracted to Johnny. That's a little weird to begin with, considering that Johnny sports a greasy, slicked-back hairstyle from the 1950s, a porn stache from the 1970s and a wardrobe that ranges from Don Johnson in the 1980s to Kurt Kobain in the 1990s. Johnny, in turn, becomes obsessed with Lisa. His clingy neediness is expressed through ridiculous generosity and passive-aggressive controlling behavior.
Johnny and Lisa start out happy and about as laid back as coma patients but shift into full blown Jerry Springerish animosity and paranoia at the drop of a hat. Johnny becomes more and more fixated on Lisa and his behavior become more and more extreme, until Johnny finally lashes out by not having sex with one of his students and the film ends. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. No, I'm not being sarcastic or making fun of the movie in any way. After going on and on and on and on and on about Johnny and Lisa, Mr. Vincent ends with Johnny and one of his students flirting inappropriately until he decides not to have sex with her. That's literally the way the film concludes.
It's stuff like that unconventional ending, a dream sequence that looks like something out of an Ed Wood picture and a persistent refusal to be entertaining in any traditional sense that fools your average film festival attendee into thinking this movie has something to offer. They watch something like Mr. Vincent and think because it's competently executed and different from mainstream cinematic formulas, that must mean it has some intellectual or artistic depth. Such folks are wrong, however. There's nothing deep, artistic or intellectual about this film.
Director/co-writer Robert Celestino does demonstrate a professional skill level and some imagination in his camera work and staging. He fails to do anything interesting with the black-and-white imagery of his movie and leaves plot threads scattered all over the film like someone threw the script on top of a land mine. Scenes with Johnny's frustrated musical career never go anywhere or amount to anything. The same is true for scenes involving his family, his students, Lisa's family, Johnny's friends and probably two or three other things I can't remember because they were so pointless.
The acting is fine in Mr. Vincent, in the sense that the cast is believable as a collection of guidos and rednecks from Yonkers. The only performer given something truly entertaining to do is Mimi Scott as Lisa's boozy, flirty, embarrassing mother. The rest of the characters seem to have been randomly plucked out of various episodes of the TV show "Cheaters".
Mr. Vincent isn't funny or dramatic and it doesn't offer up any insight into anything. It's just a boring slog from beginning to end. Skip this puppy.
Johnny Vincent (Frank John Hughes) is a Yonkers native who's dreamed his whole life of being a musician, but ended up teaching English at his old high school and renting his boyhood home from his parents while continuing to pathetically sing his songs in the corner of a local bar. After his wife leaves him in a scene with all the passion of someone opening a tin of sardines, Johnny runs into a woman he went to high school with. Lisa (Lisa LoCicero) is a waitress who hates her job and is instantly attracted to Johnny. That's a little weird to begin with, considering that Johnny sports a greasy, slicked-back hairstyle from the 1950s, a porn stache from the 1970s and a wardrobe that ranges from Don Johnson in the 1980s to Kurt Kobain in the 1990s. Johnny, in turn, becomes obsessed with Lisa. His clingy neediness is expressed through ridiculous generosity and passive-aggressive controlling behavior.
Johnny and Lisa start out happy and about as laid back as coma patients but shift into full blown Jerry Springerish animosity and paranoia at the drop of a hat. Johnny becomes more and more fixated on Lisa and his behavior become more and more extreme, until Johnny finally lashes out by not having sex with one of his students and the film ends. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. No, I'm not being sarcastic or making fun of the movie in any way. After going on and on and on and on and on about Johnny and Lisa, Mr. Vincent ends with Johnny and one of his students flirting inappropriately until he decides not to have sex with her. That's literally the way the film concludes.
It's stuff like that unconventional ending, a dream sequence that looks like something out of an Ed Wood picture and a persistent refusal to be entertaining in any traditional sense that fools your average film festival attendee into thinking this movie has something to offer. They watch something like Mr. Vincent and think because it's competently executed and different from mainstream cinematic formulas, that must mean it has some intellectual or artistic depth. Such folks are wrong, however. There's nothing deep, artistic or intellectual about this film.
Director/co-writer Robert Celestino does demonstrate a professional skill level and some imagination in his camera work and staging. He fails to do anything interesting with the black-and-white imagery of his movie and leaves plot threads scattered all over the film like someone threw the script on top of a land mine. Scenes with Johnny's frustrated musical career never go anywhere or amount to anything. The same is true for scenes involving his family, his students, Lisa's family, Johnny's friends and probably two or three other things I can't remember because they were so pointless.
The acting is fine in Mr. Vincent, in the sense that the cast is believable as a collection of guidos and rednecks from Yonkers. The only performer given something truly entertaining to do is Mimi Scott as Lisa's boozy, flirty, embarrassing mother. The rest of the characters seem to have been randomly plucked out of various episodes of the TV show "Cheaters".
Mr. Vincent isn't funny or dramatic and it doesn't offer up any insight into anything. It's just a boring slog from beginning to end. Skip this puppy.
One of the best independent films ever made
Deepack31 July 2004
After reading the comments dished out by the last reviewer I was compelled to defend this film. It seems to me that this was a personal attack against the director and not the film. I question whether this amateur reviewer has ever seen the film or any film for that matter. This film has the courage to go where few others dare. It examines the psychology of the characters and claims no fancy thrills. The director has the rare abilty to depict these people so casually that it becomes nightmarish and disturbing to watch - and he does this without a shread of physical violence. This film is a MUST SEE for any serious film buff or anyone who isn't afraid take an emotional ride that will stay with you for a very long time.
Great Acting!
cecile19653 October 2005
The reviewers seeming to feel strongly about this movie, I decided to see it. I am glad I did.
The decision to film in black and white definitely made this movie more captivating, although, I think that Frank John Hughes is what really made it the Sundance success it was. I was immediately responsive to his character interpretation, however, was disappointed that the director didn't develop it a bit more. The story would have been much more compelling had he taken advantage of Frank Hughes acting's abilities.
On this subject, and for a "girlier" comment, I would love to see Frank John Hughes in more movies, and not just for his good looks! Why isn't Hollywood using him more instead of other "pretty actors who can't act" And why hasn't IMDb made his other movies available on DVD yet?
The decision to film in black and white definitely made this movie more captivating, although, I think that Frank John Hughes is what really made it the Sundance success it was. I was immediately responsive to his character interpretation, however, was disappointed that the director didn't develop it a bit more. The story would have been much more compelling had he taken advantage of Frank Hughes acting's abilities.
On this subject, and for a "girlier" comment, I would love to see Frank John Hughes in more movies, and not just for his good looks! Why isn't Hollywood using him more instead of other "pretty actors who can't act" And why hasn't IMDb made his other movies available on DVD yet?
Completely Compelling
redtc18 December 2001
I was interested the whole time. No getting up for snacks in this film. It reminded me of a situation my girlfirend experienced. I thought I was seeing a real life story. This is a must see for anyone who has dealt with an obsessive partner or vice versa.
Hard hitting and edgy
Deepack28 April 2000
This film was fantastic! It says a lot about your life. I, myself went through a similar relationship. The movie pulls you in and doesn't let you go. You must see it! It's like nothing I've ever seen put on the screen before. Bravo!
so realistic it's creepy
soloishtar30 September 2000
This movie showed a very believable portrayal of one man's obsession for his girlfriend gone way overboard. The acting was superb, and I liked how the movie was in black and white, it gave the effect more dramatic meaning, like perhaps the black and white-ness reflected the way that John Vincent saw the world ... either Lisa (object of his affection) loved him or hated him, sort of an all-or-nothing perspective. He goes kind of psycho in this movie, but it's so realistic that it's creepy ... this sort of thing happens all the time to people you know, not just people on the Jerry Springer show. I can see how watching this movie may be a little difficult for people that are in the same sort of situation, though. All in all, however, I'd give this movie an 8 out of 10.
After seeing Yonkers Joe I came across this Gem of a movie
SILVIO-1727 November 2008
I went to a screening of Yonkers Joe. I was so moved by it when I got home I went here on IMDb to see what other movie the Director has done. Mr. Vincent, OK I went to Netflix.com and placed my order. It arrived and I once again was blown away, sorry to say but I identified with what the actor was going through. But then again if you reach into your heart and think about it, we all have. In love with someone to the point where your so obsessed that you can't think, eat or sleep. The performance by Frank John Hughes was so spot on that I felt his pain. Lisa Locicero a beautiful actress just added to the realism of the film. Wonderfully written, Directed and edited by Robert Celestino.
"If you've ever been in love, or out of it -- go see this movie.
"If you've ever been in love, or out of it -- go see this movie.
Confusing but Compelling
arieliondotcom15 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't seen this in any other reviews but I don't think anyone really understood this movie. It is much deeper and more convoluted than folks seem to understand, along the line of the Butterfly Effect and 12 Monkeys.
From the beginning we are told that Lisa is a girl from the past ...years past. He wrote a song for her, they have a relationship and he goes crazy for love of her. Suddenly, at the end of the movie, there's a 17-year-old girl student named LISA trying to seduce him. (It's not clear if they had sex but he rejects her). He then explains the girl wanted a relationship with him but just couldn't understand. The song (the story of their violent love affair) is not true.
"Did the sheep eat the rose?" to quote Saint Exupery in Le Petit Prince. Did he have sex with the girl/student? We don't know. But he fantasized what a relationship with her would have been & wrote it in a song. She fell in love with him for it but, in the end, Mr Vincent's Opus, if you will, is a fantasy in a song. A compelling, haunting fantasy, song and film.
From the beginning we are told that Lisa is a girl from the past ...years past. He wrote a song for her, they have a relationship and he goes crazy for love of her. Suddenly, at the end of the movie, there's a 17-year-old girl student named LISA trying to seduce him. (It's not clear if they had sex but he rejects her). He then explains the girl wanted a relationship with him but just couldn't understand. The song (the story of their violent love affair) is not true.
"Did the sheep eat the rose?" to quote Saint Exupery in Le Petit Prince. Did he have sex with the girl/student? We don't know. But he fantasized what a relationship with her would have been & wrote it in a song. She fell in love with him for it but, in the end, Mr Vincent's Opus, if you will, is a fantasy in a song. A compelling, haunting fantasy, song and film.
True to life story about a shooting star romance.
stevielou32329 April 2000
I caught Mr.Vincent on the Bravo channel the other night and loved it. I feel the girl was the villain in the end. She cheated on him and pushed him to his limit. Although, he did not need to go to such extremes. See it if you get the chance.
perfect example of amateur direction...
ferriswitt25 May 2004
This movie compels one to ambition from nearly the first frame. It's amateur quality could have been its charm, instead it becomes the touchstone of an hour and a half of smoking, cursing and screaming in place of any emotional depth. Character development is skipped, as the plot jumps through the lives of the characters without ever adequately giving them any personality. Any member of the 48 Hour Film Project would have done a better job!
Frank John Hughes was quite notable if taken outside of the inventive script and childish direction. From all the hype this received at Sundance for its emotional realism, I was excited to see the character study of a tormented love-sick. However, the delivery was nothing more than static direction of a hackneyed script.
Frank John Hughes was quite notable if taken outside of the inventive script and childish direction. From all the hype this received at Sundance for its emotional realism, I was excited to see the character study of a tormented love-sick. However, the delivery was nothing more than static direction of a hackneyed script.
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