Design

Brian McCaskill once again steals the show in this runaway dark comedy romp. As "Sven", a slightly off-center office clerk who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, McCaskill delivers his best performance since "Serious Business". While we are waiting for the rumored director's cut of "Serious Business" to finally arrive on DVD we will have to relish every minute of Sven's time on screen.

My only real problem with "Design" is I thought it would have a little more of McCaskill's signature tongue-in-cheek zingers he is so well known for. If you are mostly familiar with McCaskill from "Serious Business" then this new, drier approach in "Design" may seem a little stiff at first. After all, in the arena of wry quips he is only rivaled by off-screen friend Hugh Grant. Granted, Sven's speech impediment didn't give McCaskill a lot to work with, but they could have had a dream sequence or something where we could get to see him riff a bit more.

Other than that, all around awesome flick. The action rocks and the jokes are hilarious. If I were casting the movie I might have gotten someone other than Daniel J. Travanti to play Peter Mallow; he just seemed uncomfortable with the role and ends up turning in a disappointing performance. But he is on screen for such a short time that it doesn't at all weigh down the film. All around, I highly reccommend seing "Design" but only after seeing "Serious Business" at least twice.

Easily the best film I've seen at Sundance 2002.

I could go on at some length about this incredible debut from Writer-Director-Actor Davidson Cole, but I'll attempt to be brief by summing up the main strengths of the film.

Everything is brilliant.

Okay, okay, I'll be a little more specific.

From the thematically powerful and narratively complex script that works on so many levels, to the darkly atmospheric look of the film captured in its cinematography and production design, to the ultra-effective score and sound design, to the innovative editing style, to the absolutely strong, compelling performances by the entire cast (made up mostly of newcomers, but filled out by the seasoned Daniel J. Travanti, who turns in an incredible performance)... well, in short - like I said - everything is brilliant.

Watching this film reminded me of watching Darren Aronofsky for the first time. Not so much in Davidson Cole's filmmaking style as in the sense of feeling that I was witnessing the work of a powerful artist who has a unique voice and distinct vision that truly permeate his work.

Watch for Davidson Cole to develop into an important Writer-Director, and remember that you heard it from me first! As Dan Travanti told me at my second screening of the film earlier tonight, someday I'll be able to reminisce and say, "I remember when I saw Davidson Cole's first film way back at Sundance 2002."

Probably as close to poetry on the screen as possible. The technique interests me far less than the concept, executed with an honesty rarely found in this kind of film. No muddled fooling around with time and point of view here -- simply a harsh, existentialist stream of consciousness that leaves the viewer with more questions than answers.

What stands out as well is the clarity of character conveyed by superb acting. Of course, that is achieved in part by what I infer as good direction, camera work, and editing. There is no posturing here, even though some of the split-screen stuff seemed unnecessary. Personality lingers in the air long after one scene fades into the next, leaving visual images that create layers of imagination in the viewer's mind. The "design" is thus simultaneously both idea and image.

I suspect it may take a while for this one to be recorded and remembered by the public at large (if ever!). It could well be a stepping stone for some budding careers.

I highly recommend seeing this movie, as it tours the festival circuit. A brilliant tale about a hopeless romantic, with some rather sobering twists. Not your typical movie, I expect great things to come from this up and coming director/actor/writer.

You know you're probably not going to watch a blockbuster when you see the same name listed as director, writer, and lead; when that name has a one title filmography; and when the Special Thanks section of the credits begins with "Mom & Dad". So it is with "Design", a low level indie with all the ear marks of a first outing. Though this film is a marginal, muddled, cyanotic mess, it does manifest potential in the earnest, sincere, and believable performances is eeks from a cast of relative unknowns. And, although Nicholas Cage lookalike Cole appears to be a work in progress with real potential, this product has little to offer the public at large. For indie freaks only. (C)