3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Freakin' Beautiful!, December 5, 2006
Finally an Indie that actually lives up to its hype!
This is what cinema was made for, and it's what drives
this review, because when I saw RevoLOUtion the first
time it really hit home. I believe this movie really
does have the potential to change people's lives, and
being a filmmaker myself I'm not usually the kind of
guy to lavish praise on any old film.
The picture stars Bret Carr as the stuttering boxer Lou Benedetti,
a guy who's spent his entire life channeling the anger
and confusion wrought by an abusive military father
into his career as a fighter. Shot in the streets of
New York City, the film offers an underground tour of
the self-proclaimed world's greatest city, with a
gritty realism that calls to mind some of the great
Scorsese flicks of decades past....
When his career is flung into jeopardy by the
diagnosis of a deadly brain aneurism, Lou is faced
with a challenge: either somehow overcome his lifetime
stuttering disability or be forced into the unenviable
life of an underground fight club rogue. At this
point, the story holds the potential to swirl into a
sappy feel-good movie of minor significance, but Lou
keeps us on our feet as he shadow boxes a world of
dark and bitter elements with all the energy and power
a world-class fighter. All this energy is channeled
into a powerfully conceived and choreographed climax
that will leave you breathless, I didn't know whether
to laugh or cry....
Revoloution was all the buzz of the Conscious Life
Film Festival here in Los Angeles, where I was lucky
enough to take it in earlier this year, and it
deservedly swept the competition, winning an audience
award for Best Picture. So I guess its not that
strange, but i'm happy to see it bundled here with
DaVinci Code of all films - one of the higher-ups must
have noticed it, cause it's not your typical Hollywood
fluff.
With a serious KNOCK OUT supporting cast that includes
the amazing Kumar Pallana (The Royal Tenenbaums) and
an impeccable performance by Burt Young from
Stallone's Rocky as himself, among others, you won't
be disappointed. But check your ego in at the door,
cause you may have to ignore that chip on the shoulder
to really take this one in. Take it as you will, I
seldom back down from a challenge....
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A strong recommendation, December 3, 2006
Spellbinding and profoundly inspiring! I really loved this movie. It's a must-see! Bret Carr delivers a powerful performance as Lou, a stuttering boxer whose career ends while the fight to bring his life back to normal begins. Initially, it seems like you've seen this kind of plot done before in a variety of movies about underdogs. However, RevoLOUtion is not as simple as it deceptively seems. Writer/director Bret Carr uses this deceptively simple plot to hook the viewer in an easy-to-follow way before getting into the complex aspects of what the press notes call a modernized shamanic ritual, but is actually a brililant rite of passage where Lou confronts his fears much like was done by Christopher Walken's character in The Deer Hunter, which Carr's writing partner was Oscar nominated for. However, RevoLOUtion, violence is used as a means of transcendence in a particularly powerful scene. Lou's girlfriend (Didonna) doesn't love him back and even refuses to let him in her house. His only real friend is Kumar (Pallana), a vendor who gives him quick advice and a woman he meets named Starla (Benford) who acts as his Yoda-like spiritual guide. The second act wisely maintains focus on Lou's desperate struggle to overcome his stutter without going off on distracting subplots. As a director, Bret Carr proves to be inventive and unique as he uses shaky visuals to represent Lou's state of mind and includes well-shot, grainy flashbacks from Lou's childhood. The terrific, well-chosen soundtrack blends very well with the scenes. Ultimately, RevoLOUtion has enough energy and style to never overstay its welcome at a brief running time of 80 minutes.
It's inspiring and uplifting to watch Lou try to become an improved individual, both mentally and physically. His powerful transformation involves a shamanic ritual which requires him to look deep within himself to find his soul's true purpose. Lou comes to terms with a particularly traumatic experience from his childhood and finds the confidence to believe in himself--by getting to know himself. Right before his profound spiritual awakening, he has a near-death experience which he manages toovercome with strength of mind--and soul. He may not be able to change the world, but at least he manages to change the way he looks at the world through this challenging, life-changing shamanic ritual.
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