Meth

I just saw this movie at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where I believe it is the only film by a local director. And I believe it is in the same league as "The Thin Blue Line" and "Paris is Burning" on a myriad of levels. While built on a fairly standard documentary-film archetype, there is a lushness and, for lack of a better word, 'gloss' to the extraordinary beauty, color and composition of the film that it speaks to the intense subject matter with an ironic, knowing nod. The men who participate in this film were men of intelligence and awareness who remain men of intelligence and awareness; however, what they have learned of themselves through the loss the misery and the depravity they embraced is the hard fact that they were good people BEFORE, they just didn't believe it. And sadly, some still don't. My only concern with this truly courageous, fully-to-truth's-edge film is that the people most in need of it will NOT see it, by their choice. This director is strong and total - and he needs to be acknowledged for this extraordinary accomplishment. This film hold back nothing, and it's genius is that while a cautionary tale, it's presentation will make you KNOW why meth is an alluring, power-hungry bitch. Kudos.