Cinema Purgatorio (2014) Reviews

• VERY entertaining!

  snconkey2014-06-03

  I attended the North Carolina premier of this movie last night, and absolutely loved it. The basic premise is that two marginally-successful film makers (who are also married to one another) decide to make a last-ditch effort before possibly throwing the towel in and opting to get "real jobs." The story was about the "human condition", and was, in turn, inspiring, poignant, and hilarious. The acting was first-rate; each character sprang from honesty and was entirely believable. Each character had his/her "turn", and made the most of it; but Lavin Cuddihee has a scene about 2/3 of the way through the film that had the entire audience laughing uncontrollably. This is a very fun and enjoyable movie, and I'd recommend it.

• Farcical look at movies and the characters who make them

  paparidgeback2014-06-15

  From the film's abrupt first frame, farcical mise-en-scène from South Carolina filmmaking duo Chris and Emily White, Cinema Purgatorio seamlessly transports movie-goers from the audience's familiar, optimistic and comfortable side of the silver screen to the dark, occasionally vicious, back-stabbing and frustration filled terrain of independent movie-making, an ego-blistered nest inhabited by imperfect personalities known as "filmmakers;" fallible and occasionally eccentric dreamers whose first thought upon waking is most likely concerned with how to make and finish their next film. Mainstream audiences may be surprised to discover movies are not menu items ordered from Hollywood film factories for same-day delivery to the local multiplex. Before any film can begin there must be a vision, and before the vision must come a hopeful player willing to fill the role of the filmmaker. The long road from concept to premiere is choked with production pot holes, career land mines and control compromises, and it is the Herculean task of the independent filmmaker to oversee, nurture and shepherd his or her project through to completion. Obviously, completion in itself does not guarantee financial, critical or career success. Few Hollywood films turn out to much resemble the screenwriter's initial concept, which explains why independent films hold such an allure for aspiring filmmakers. But while the lowly independent filmmaker may occasionally benefit the most from an individual project's success and parlay an individual success to the Hollywood big leagues, more often than not it's the resource-poor filmmaker who pays the heaviest ... and most personal and enduring ... price for failure. A 2012 study suggests that while fewer than 10% of Hollywood releases show a profit, only .1% of independent films will recoup their cost of production. Given these emotional perils and the financial risks inherent in the filmmaking business, the general question "Why are so many films so bad?" better becomes "Given the obstacles and the stress involved, how can anyone expect to make a good film and have his or her film earn widespread distribution? Stepping back and looking at the odds of success makes us wonder who in their right mind would willingly submit themselves to the inevitable frustrations and disappointment ... not to mention the angst and despair ... of committing themselves to producing an independent (i.e. non-Hollywood) film? Cinema Purgatorio pushes the movie-making curtain aside and presents a comedic look at the sausage-making process whereby stories are conceived, ideas are hatched, scripts brought to life by actors, individual takes are filmed by cinema-photographers, voices are captured by sound recordists, scenes are edited and movies are assembled from hundreds of hours of tapes to finally become a feature-length 90 minute film. Through this tedious process personal relationships will sour, financial investments will spoil, egos will shatter, dreams will vanish, promises will be broken and careers smashed and abandoned. Cinema Purgatorio takes us there to see all of it. The focus is not the processes and arcane mechanics of movie-making, however. Cinema Purgatorio unflinchingly shares the "life processes" of the individuals involved in the process, the producers/writers/directors and the actors and the crew members whose combined spirits coalesce into an emotional momentum pugnaciously advancing the film from uncertain dream to opening night. No need to recount the film's truly funny scenes, or to describe the zany characters or to re-hash specific punch lines: see the movie and find out for yourself instead, because the actors quickly engage us in the quirky characters and in the sometimes exigent circumstances responsible for bringing their uneven lives together. Eric Barnhart's remarkable original score deserves special mention, as does the selection of scenic locations in Charleston and Folley Beach, South Carolina. SPOILER ALERT ******************************** tab down to next row of asterisks to skip the SPOILER AHEAD Several reviewers have described the film's characters as likable. I have to disagree, particularly regarding the character of Neil's wife, Liz. In O. Henry's short story "The Gift of The Magi" the poor young couple make mutual, secret sacrifices to selflessly surprise the other with Christmas gifts. But Liz's unilateral action is of a different nature entirely. Return from Spoiler Alert ************************************************* Cinema Purgatorio succeeds in colorfully depicting the filmmakers' creative cleansing ... the penance of enduring career frustrations, financial uncertainties, creative despair and spiritual hopelessness, the inexplicable randomness and perpetual wheel spinning ... the "purgatorio" ... intrinsic to the pursuit of filmmaking ("cinema") perfection. Its gaggle of disparate characters ultimately discover the healing power of love and the aegis of grace essential for surviving tribulations with spouses, children, ex-lovers, peers and even enemies and the occasional buffoon, too. And that makes Cinema Purgatorio essential viewing.

• Well worth an hour and 40 minutes of your life

  gladyshatbox2014-06-04

  Just viewed this wonderful little comedy touching on some of the traps and pitfalls of the art of movie making outside the city limits of Hollywood. This is a keeper on many levels not the least of which is the fact that it was made for 50 thousand dollars, thanks in part to the combined talents of this wonderful ensemble cast. Sure to please and well worth one hour and 40 minutes of your life. Attention to detail is critical so be fore warned you may need to view this film more than once to thoroughly enjoy the subtle humor and nuance that can easily fly by your conscience the first time around. I guess this now makes me a film critic? And considering I have two opposable thumbs, I give it all thumbs up.

• Great movie, fun plot, sweet moments.

  cmsec272014-06-03

  'Cinema Purgatorio' is a really fun movie with some almost surprising gems. On the surface, the movie is simply about a team entering a 48 hour film festival. If you look a bit deeper, though, (don't worry, you don't have to look too far- it's pretty much right there) it's a story about relationships and working out your issues. It's got a fun sense of real humor- definitely how I could see people actually reacting to these situations. There are lots of sweet moments and one-liners that bring out not only the humor of life, but also those little things we all need to learn and hear at one point or another. While it's not a cast full of well-known names or common faces, that lends to the realism and feel of the show. It's definitely something that will stay with me for a long time, and well worth watching again and again. Well done!

• A fun indie film that will make you laugh ...

  susab2014-06-03

  I love seeing indie filmmakers succeed in producing quality films, which is one of the reasons I loved Cinema Purgatorio. Chris White and Emily Reach White make a wonderful team, and their love for making this film shows in every frame. Chris White also does a great job directing, but he will be remembered most for his quality performance in the lead role. White has filled his cast with wonderful character actors, and many stand out, but none more than Lavin Cuddihee who plays smarmy Nick Teasle to perfection. The film is charming and fun and truly funny, especially when Cuddihee is on the screen. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and look forward to more from White as well as Cuddihee.