Funny Pages

Funny Pages is one of those films that I find myself reading critics and reviewers afterwards to find out what I missed. "What is the point?" seems to be a comment that comes up a lot. The comedy is great at times, and the sudden tone shifts to something quite dark are unsettling. The cast design is refreshingly quirky, and Matthew Maher as Wallace Shearer is a truly outstanding performance. But the feeling I came away with is that I had been privy to an extended insider's joke and I was very much an outsider. There is no coming-of-age here, and no subversion of that genre either, or any other genre. So all in all, a bit of a let down.

We start with some awkward * in a somehow uncomfortable situation. That said, it wasn't me the only who felt weird, all of sudden both characters acted so guilty, that i kept wondering if it was something wrong going on. And yes it was...Yes...THE MOVIE!. It tried to have the feeling of the early John Waters, but that was late 70's and present time is 2023, and even back then the sexual energy, and daring intensity made a coming of age story something worthy to remember. This one doesn't. It's not nostalgia that you'll, but the memories of everything gross that might have happened to you in your teens. Those who copy go behind. This one tried to be one of those great movies made on a shoe string budget, but at least those had an idea what their goal was. If their goal here was to repulse, then they succeeded.

Received as a voting member of Film Independent. The film is quite far fetched but watchable. The theme is regarding a high school boy who had a dream of being a cartoonist, not yet mature enough to understand that high school is essential. It takes place in Princeton, with the unspoken understanding that perhaps one or both of his parents are professors st Princeton who value education. Even his grandfather is a learned man, who watches CSPAN. Robert, the teenager, drops out of high school moves on his own, and tries to forge through on perfecting his craft. He meets a psychologically damaged man who worked for a well-known comic manufacturer as an Assistant Colorist. The film brings them together. Although it just ends once they were for an art lesson. The ending makes minimal sense and leaves this viewer wondering what? Enjoyed film and the characterizations but felt empty at the conclusion.

Its like one of those genuine movies which just rolls along naturally and makes you laugh. Daniel Zolghadri & Matthew Maher performances were very good. Its a Indie flick and A24 just keeps knocking them out. Its a label that can almost guarantee a decent flick. They make movies which don't feel like studio movies, which is important in this day and age with cinema struggling, and things like netflix dominance. Theres a movie I cant remember name of moment, but was of a similiar theme came out a few years a go. Its in the style of Robert Crumb anyway, and people who enjoy this may enjoy Crumb (1994)

Funny Pages is an authentic look at how teenagers pursue their dreams. When we are young, we often believe that we have to know what our purpose is. This film represents how self-destructive we are at this stage of life when trying to fulfill our deepest desires. Though many will find this film pointless, it is a subtle, uniquely directed and layered film. I loved the cinematography, they did a great job at making it look like a film from the 70s. I highly recommend Funny Pages, it's a realistic and thoughtful portrayal of an early life crisis. Which is very relatable to what I am currently going through.