In the state of California 40% of new houses are being built as part of gated communities. To explore the reality of living within these communities, Charlie LeDuff rents a place in one of the largest gated communities Canyon Lake. The population is 94% white, rules are enforced by a private security company and, if you're not on the list, you're not getting in. LeDuff spends time with his neighbours and integrates himself into the community, contrasting it with those living outside the gates in the real world.
An interesting proposition this and, although it is not a perfect film, it does offer food for thought. The main weakness of the film is that it is more a polemic rather than a thoughtful, well-laid out argument. So we touch on immigration, gossip, crime, education, racism, disaffected youth and other topics. It means that the film is quite interesting but also quite messy with the lack of focus producing some moments that are pointless as well as some that are insightful. Some of the characters we follow are used really well to explore wider themes beyond the reality of that individual, however some are used just as individuals and are mostly annoyingly slack as a result what purpose was served by the porn director I ask you? As writer and director, the unseen Cooke must carry a lot of the can. He is represented on screen by LeDuff, whose relaxed and rambling slacker approach perhaps encouraged the aimless approach. Regardless of this, things of interest are still thrown up. The connection between the insular approach of the community towards outsiders and the approach of the Government towards immigration is one that was interesting but not followed up. Likewise looks at the "if your face don't fit" culture and other things that are pretended away are interesting as they are presented. I'm repeating myself but I cannot help feel that in better hands this would have been a great film. As it is, the lack of structure or clear aims means the material rambles and, although parts of it are interesting, I did want to say "guys, you have my attention for sixty minutes here, what point would you like to get across in that time?".
Overall then, an interesting enough documentary but the lack of structure and focus meant that I was mostly looking at lots of half-realised potential rather than a fully formed documentary thesis.
An interesting proposition this and, although it is not a perfect film, it does offer food for thought. The main weakness of the film is that it is more a polemic rather than a thoughtful, well-laid out argument. So we touch on immigration, gossip, crime, education, racism, disaffected youth and other topics. It means that the film is quite interesting but also quite messy with the lack of focus producing some moments that are pointless as well as some that are insightful. Some of the characters we follow are used really well to explore wider themes beyond the reality of that individual, however some are used just as individuals and are mostly annoyingly slack as a result what purpose was served by the porn director I ask you? As writer and director, the unseen Cooke must carry a lot of the can. He is represented on screen by LeDuff, whose relaxed and rambling slacker approach perhaps encouraged the aimless approach. Regardless of this, things of interest are still thrown up. The connection between the insular approach of the community towards outsiders and the approach of the Government towards immigration is one that was interesting but not followed up. Likewise looks at the "if your face don't fit" culture and other things that are pretended away are interesting as they are presented. I'm repeating myself but I cannot help feel that in better hands this would have been a great film. As it is, the lack of structure or clear aims means the material rambles and, although parts of it are interesting, I did want to say "guys, you have my attention for sixty minutes here, what point would you like to get across in that time?".
Overall then, an interesting enough documentary but the lack of structure and focus meant that I was mostly looking at lots of half-realised potential rather than a fully formed documentary thesis.
