IGBY GOES DOWN (2002) *** Populated with characters I'd avoid on sight-on the streets or cinematically, though not as desperately at cocktail parties-no one I can relate to much, no one I have any particular sympathy for, no situations I find very interesting; I have no difficulty understanding why they don't like each other much. Ah...so there is some understanding. In depicting such ostentatious and willful superficiality it gets deeper...because that's just the silt the volcano leaves covering things at the top for all to see. Burr Steers may hold nihilism as a long suit, but he lacks little in perverse irony, draws huge cards and plays them adroitly-outrageously even, which is pretty hard to come by these days-it's stark and bleak to the point of nearly lifeless writing to be admired for reasons beyond showing any light at all. Keiran Culkin doesn't look like he has to reach much for the character, and there is something attractive about such a dynamic degree of casualness. It's a helluva cast: Susan Sarandon and Jeff Goldblum playing variations on characters we already know they're great at; Claire Danes and Amanda Peete handling roles of women that no one can and few would bother handling long (it seems that refusing good will and demanding nothing better than indifferent luck lands a rich kid on the streets of New York with vaguely interesting women-yeah that seems about right, actually)...it all rings true. If you can't relate be grateful, I think that's the point. Then be ready to be called a liar.
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Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your exciting new terrorist novel!
I've already read both of your novels. Thank you, they're amazing. Now I want to check out your weekly blog on everything