Miles Ahead (2004) User Reviews

Mixed feelings...

[TalkiesRMe · 7/10 · 29 March 2004]

I'm confused. And I think some other viewers are as well.

Although Miles Ahead is not the most riveting film in my movie-going repertoire, I felt towards it as I have towards many European films that are slower-paced: if you just relax and let it play out, your experience will at least be pleasant. In this case, the story lacks much (to say the least), but the pace of the film as paired with the music and scenescape possesses a mesmerizing rhythm. I particularly enjoyed the score, which reminded me of the soundtrack to Monster's Ball, but with more of a playful flare. The cinematography and general production value of the movie was top-notch. I'm not sure quite what happened with the script, but I suspect that that is where the problem(s) originated.

As far as the gay/coming out issues, maybe I -- a true, unabashed heterosexual male creature -- am just not "getting it". Maybe my gaydar is broken. Or maybe I'm just getting old. But I saw nothing in the film that lent to the fact that the two main characters were even remotely gay, much less struggling with acceptance issues in that regard. What I witnessed was the camaraderie between two friends (albeit the most boring interaction). What -- are men supposed to growl in each other's faces or slice the air with swords in order to appear obviously male? Also, I met the filmmakers at the Q&A after the screening and, well guys, I hate burst anyone's hopeful hubba bubba bubble, but those guys are as straight as I am!

Like so many other films whose subjects display such vague colors, Miles Ahead leaves much to the imagination. (But let's not get carried away.) My only wish is that the directors had, themselves, allowed their imaginations to paint the screen a little--- No. Scratch that. ---a LOT more vividly when it came to dialogue and storytelling.

Miles Ahead...The best film I've seen this year...

[steven-molnar · 10/10 · 7 April 2004]

If you've seen this film and you said that you don't like it, it obviously means that you have a short attention span or have ADD. I just saw this film at the San Jose Film Fest (cinequest) during spring break and it was not only the best film that I saw there, but it is the best piece of storying telling rapture that I have seen in a long time. Major props too Matt Zbotovski,Dylan Trivette and their crew on this film. If you like a well developed, well told cinematic experience, this film is for you. I highly recommend this film to any aspiring filmmaker who wants a lesson in how to achieve Cinematic Catharsis.

Also, maybe the reason you didn't like this film was because there weren't any homosexuals in it and because the story didn't revolve round some kid coming to grips with his alternative sexual orientation...That aside, Miles Ahead is a winner, Hands Down...

Remarkable Accomplishment!

[indianhills4ever · 18 October 2004]

I recently saw "Miles Ahead" at the Minneapolis Central Standard Film Festival, held from October 14-17th. This is the most accomplished, heartfelt, and deeply moving independent movie I've ever seen made by a group of novice twenty-somethings. Not only does the film aim for more than the usual offbeat cute romantic comedy or the "I've graduated from college and my life sucks" kind of indie movie this age group frequently makes, "Miles Ahead" uses film as visual medium to get its message across to the viewer making it a sensory experience. While some have noted that the movie "rips off" or "imitates" Terrance Malick, I disagree. In this viewer's opinion, "Miles Ahead" uses its visual in ways found in the best work of Gus Van Sant - particularly in "Gerry" or "My Own Private Idaho"; however, unlike Van Sant, the co-directors of this film have a story/theme that resonates with honesty and emotional heartbreak. The spectacular views of the North Carolina mountains is an added bonus as well. With the movies "George Washington" and "Sinkhole" - both made of alum from the same school as the Miles Ahead team and both filmed in the same North Carolina region, one can only assume that North Carolina is now the home of the best indie regional film-making in the United States. Move over Austin - these filmmakers have REAL stories to tell, and the technical know how to make them both polished and emotional. A must see!

Too Many Cliches!

[mrl218 · 2/10 · 15 March 2004]

I went into the screening at the local film festival with great hope. I thought here might be a true indie film worthy of our support. I was wrong.

The story is that a teenager who aspires to be a writer and his struggles to deal with the death of a friend. That could make an interesting film, but this is not it. About thirty minutes of screen time is devoted to this kid typing out of ridiculous sentences like "He looks longingly at the memories of his past, unsure whether or not they existed because they have faded" and, get this, browsing books at the college library. Very subtle, guys. The directors need to read more good literature and stay away from the camera for a while.

Directors forgot to include the plot and other devices of substance and meaning

[sean99999 · 1/10 · 30 July 2005]

In the middle of this movie, I turned to a friend of mine and asked her how long this god-forsaken thing was. I was shocked when she told me 80 minutes because I thought we had passed the 2 hour mark long before then.

The entire movie is the exact same scene done over and over. Miles stares out into space. He does it again. And again. How about a few more scenes of depressed staring in case people were sleeping through the last 10? It would have been a lot quicker for the directors to ram a psychiatry book down my throat.

Unfortunately, since the beginning, middle, and end of the script are all on the same sheet of paper, the audience is left guessing at what exactly Miles' problem is (and no, it's not just because of his dead friend- Miles stared out into space from the beginning). Every now and then we a get a break from his depression stares as he writes bad prose on his crappy typewriter.

I don't know what else to say. Writing a review for this movie has been like trying to describe the smell of carbon monoxide- there's nothing to describe because your senses can't detect anything, but it's still toxic.

A leap forward for gay-themed films

[oldqueen77 · 1/10 · 23 March 2004]

One of the bones I have to pick with modern American film is its fear of tackling issues related to homosexuality. Unfortunately, it still seems to be a taboo when it comes to movies. That's why I was so thrilled at the debut of "Miles Ahead".

The story, in a nutshell, is this. Two boys in a small town are confronting the stigma of their love for each other- how to keep it a secret, whether or not to leave the town, and what to do. One of the boys, Taylor, wants them to leave, to be with each other in a place where their love can bloom- where "no one will know them". The other boy, Miles, is reluctant, worried about shaming his father or incurring the disapproval of the small town. He clearly loves Taylor- the scenes with Taylor and Miles together project an electrifying romantic tension (especially the scenes where the boys are working on their car). Miles finally decides to leave with Taylor- but, on the way out of town, Taylor is killed by a truck while sleeping in the car.

The movie goes on to show Miles dealing with life in the closet. The numerous scenes of him walking alone seem to signify his isolation. The only girls that he's shown with are unattainable- one is a 7 year old soccer player, and another is the mother of his dead friend. Some poignant scenes include a female classmate hitting on him, unaware that he does not- he cannot- share her affection. For his love is with another, and he can't get over that. But should he?

The recurring theme in the movie is handled brilliantly- instead of stating the obvious- "coming out of the closet", like a more mediocre filmmaker might do, the filmmakers here cleverly refer to it as "going over the mountain". Taylor is constantly pushing Miles to take the journey with him, over the mountain. But, as those of us who have been there know, you can only make that decision on your own. It's never easy- the filmmakers realize this- and it's a painful part of growing up gay in a small town.

I highly recommend this film to anyone open-minded enough to appreciates its beauty. Some people, conditioned to the fast paced films of Hollywood- films that involve conflict, action, and story- will find this film deliberatly obtuse. But to those of us who can appreciate this type of filmmaking- especially those of us, like the filmmakers, that have been through this experience- the film will prove to be an eye-opening look at love.

What can you say?

[whyisyourtopoff · 1/10 · 22 March 2004]

About 126 minutes into the film I was really wondering when the story might kick in, and then the credits started to roll. I'm incredibly upset by one thing, at no point in my life will I ever get those 126 minutes back. I assume that many years from now I'll be sitting on a death bed wondering where the time went. I can tell you one thing my friends, that time will not be spent on repeat viewings of Miles Ahead.

Poor Miles Davis, that's all I can say. What a disgrace.

Someone please give me something for the pain!! Worst. Film. Ever.

[brentmontone · 1/10 · 23 March 2004]

I don't think it is possible to include a spoiler for this film, as NOTHING happens during the entire feature. Wow, I don't even know where to begin.... There is no story at all, in fact, there's even a line in the movie from the "aspiring" writer, that you shouldn't write what you don't know about. That said, it appears these filmmakers don't know anything, as they obviously had nothing to write about. This is perhaps the worst film I have ever seen.

The acting is horrific, the dialogue (when there is any) is gut wrenching, and the cinematography is washed out and drab. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of this awful experience. Don't waste your time with this movie.... STAY AWAY!!! TURN BACK!!!

However, if watching every terrible word some dumb kid types on his typewriter appeals to you this might be right up your alley. Also, if you like seeing a passenger just sit in a car as his friend smiles at him, in some homo erotic undertone, this could be just what the mad doctor ordered.