Movie review #39;Man in the Chair#39;
February 2nd, 2008, 4:47 am Hobbies And Interests
For a movie so reverent about the creative magic of yesteryear’s Hollywood, “Man in the Chair” is a rather predictable journey.A sporadically emotional, humor-laced drama about a Los Angeles teen’s quest to make a movie, it comes with a larger message about life. But with tired story elements layered clumsily, it sometimes feels like “Revenge of the Nerds” meets “Grumpy Old Men.”The table is set within minutes: high-school student Cameron Kincaid (Michael Angarano) desperately wants to make a short film to compete for a scholarship. His primary competition is a rich bully - who slams him into a locker, of course.While watching an Orson Welles classic in a near-empty theater, Kincaid notices an obnoxious, elderly chap ranting at the screen and feuding with patrons. Knowing zilch about this mean-spirited geezer other than that he’s fueled by whiskey and claims to have made movies, Kincaid inexplicably stalks him, only to be rebuffed. The alcoholic, rude old-timer is “Flash” Madden (Christopher Plummer), who worked with Welles and now withers away bitterly in a rest home for ex-film industry workers. Naturally, the grouchy ex-gaffer soon gives in and agrees to help the kid make his flick. Here we go. The next hour and a half is sometimes funny and even poignant, thanks to a strong performance from Plummer, who manages to rescue his world-hating character from caricature. M. Emmet Walsh’s portrayal of an ancient, tossed-away screenwriter also helps elevate the surroundings, even if we did not need to see his man boobs. Other rest-home characters add comic relief.But “Man in the Chair” is confused. The plot shifts gears into a mini-statement about how America cares for its elderly. (And its, um, stray dogs.) And kind-hearted Kincaid randomly morphs into troubled-youth mode, which is just weird. He steals a car with his lone geek buddy simply because it looks like the one from the horror movie “Christine”? Come on.Despite a passion for films of yesteryear, “Man in the Chair” is stylized with arty, MTV-like effects, which feel gimmicky. Yet these may appeal to moviegoers who otherwise may be reaching for cell phone games to pass time in theaters. “Man in the Chair” isn’t a bad film; it just won’t put you on the edge of your seat.
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