Fast Sofa (2001) Reviews

• Better than expected.

  locomotioner2003-07-14

  I read some of the reviews on IMDB before taping this movie, and didn't expect to make it very far in (still needed to tape because of Natasha Lyonne) but ended up watching the whole thing and enjoying it. The first third is so sleazy and stupid it actually entertains. For the rest of the film, Crispin Glover is fascinating and funny as an naive intellectual who's seemingly left the house for the first time. Through a chance encounter, he hits the road with wildman Jake Busey (who is also excellent and likeable in this role). Jake Busey's character gets into a number of quandaries throughout the film as a result of his drunken or selfish behavior, and those serve as the mini plots in a film that has no larger one. But it was enough to keep me tuned in, along with the delicious film characterizations.

• Strange, tasteless trashy road film fun.

  sixtwentysix2004-04-30

  One problem is, you look at the cast and expect gold, I'm here to say DON'T. Enjoy it for what it is and you're going to have a good time. Fast Sofa is a strange watch. It's a movie that will leave some very cold towards it. A crazy cast delivers some very watchable moments and it's got very nuanced, strange performances from both Crispin Glover and an over the top Jake Busey. I recommend this on some conditions... The problem with this movie, it lacks direction. Even in a buddy road movie about two people with NO direction you need to have a somewhat coherent plot. This movie misses on that, no matter, it keeps you watching with cheap shock value, strange exchanges and funny moments. The film seems to be schitzo, but again that doesn't necessarily make it a bad film. The director could have reigned in the camera trickery as it plays out like a bad art student film at times but I found it tolerable. Interesting credits. While this film is hard to watch for some people as it tends to meander, Jake Busey and Crispin Glover make this is a must for fans of strange trashy late night films. I really at times wonder why Busey hasn't done more, he's got great timing and strange charisma. Ah well, put this one on your late night viewing list, keep your expectations low and enjoy. 7/10

• Great Cast: Interesting Failure

  colinmcsloy2005-03-29

  When I was kid growing up in Scotland, there used to be a really cool cult film show called MOVIEDROME. It was hosted by Alex Cox (director of Repo Man) and each week he would pick a film, talk about it very honestly (often pointing out shortfalls and foibles of the production) and then show it. This was before DVD of course, so it was a great opportunity to see some pretty weird and wonderful films, things like RIVERS EDGE, NEAR DARK, and something with Dennis hopper escorting a dead body across the united states on a train(don't remember what this was called). This is exactly the kind of film that would have been on moviedrome, great and improbable casting (Crispin Glover and Eric Roberts together at last!), unachieved potential etc. Busey really impresses as Rick, he really takes his character on a journey, and towards the end he really starts to impress. I think the pairing of Busey with Indie film legend Crispin Glover, helped Busey achieve this performance. Whether because of the good on screen chemistry they obviously have or because Glover sets the bar pretty high acting wise. Other plus points include the credible and snappy dialogue, and a great cameo by Eric Roberts as Jennifer Tilly's husband/manager/pimp. On the downside, we have a pretty uninspired performance from Tilly, and a meandering plot that doesn't seem to get its act together until the last 20 minutes or so. There also parts by played by Goldberg and Lyon (is that right?, the girlfriend) that are so underwritten that they could almost have been left out they do that little to forward the action. The terrible split screen sequences are extremely half-arsed and should have been left on the cutting room. All in all very interesting failure. BBC bring back moviedrome and might even pay my license fee this year.

• Very Underrated

  thepartydjz2015-09-01

  This film will strike a chord with those that appreciate such films as "Repo Man" and other "cult classics". I've read several reviews and I have to disagree with most if not all of them. If you enjoy films that have strange characters and give talented actors the opportunity to elaborate on such characters you are definitely in for a special treat. First off Jake Busey who possesses nearly all of his father's natural charisma is as far left of your standard Hollywood leading man as you can possibly get. His character grows on you as the film progresses. His most unlikely sidekick Jules (Crispin Glover) is as off the wall as can be and the role is mastered by the quirky Glover as only his style can deliver. I've read several negative reviews on Jennifer Tilly, I think they are completely unfair and I truly believe she nails her role (no pun intended) she plays a porn star. A porn star who believes she can break into "straight" films and become a star. She lives an insanely crazy life and is dominated by an equally crazy and controlling husband. Enter Eric Roberts, his performance is simply amazing. As usual give Eric an insane, controlling, bad guy role and he excels. Many of the scenes will be disturbing to some but they are also very gripping scenes and I believe the editing adds to the tension of the scenes. There is also some very clever dark humor involved, if you don't get it this film is probably not for you. Also worth mentioning is Tilly's character's favorite song, the classic rock ballad "I'm in You" by Peter Frampton, if there is a hidden meaning in this film then this is as deep as it gets. Please view this film with an open mind, there is no deep message or hero. Many have labeled it a "Road Trip" film, I'll simply call it a trip, and invite all who enjoy breakout characters to come along for the ride. If you're tired of typical Hollywood flicks you will find this film very refreshing. And, I am very critical of films, out of 50 I might really like one, and I really like this one. My only requirement is that it must be "different" and this one certainly fits that description. You will also want to view it multiple times, the scenes and the acting are that good. It does get better each time you see it.

• Definitely worth a watch

  saywardstudio2009-08-08

  If you're looking for a different movie, this is definitely one to look into. I watched this one on YouTube movies, so you can watch it there if they still have it. The characters are bizarre, the plot is bizarre, and it ends pretty bizarre. There was more than one "What the..?" moment throughout. There is plenty of gratuitous sexuality and drug use as well as some genuinely funny moments. This movie made me laugh out loud more than once, which I thought was unique because it was not listed as a comedy and was funnier than some movies that claim that title. There seemed to be a good level of character development, and even though Rick seems like a drug head porn addict, he is clearly compassionate with his newfound friend, who is passionate about birds (as his father has built a bird store, and now new owners have it), and regrets accidentally killing a bird as a child, and he never quite got over it. The little showdown in the bird store brought the characters around full circle, as Rick sides with his friend about the mistreatment of a hawk. The ending is sad and in a way ambiguous. Rick and his friend are thrown from the car in an accident, and the full closing of one body bag means he didn't make it. Rick's bag however remains open, with a quick shot at the end of the zipper being pulled up, but it's so quick I wasn't sure if he had lived or died. It made me feel weird, much like an unresolved problem in life that I can't fathom out, I can't change. The movie is over, there is no more. I quickly recapped and remembered how many emotions are tied up in this film. It is weird, funny, tragic, erotic, sad. It was over too quick. Then I sat back, thought about it for another second and thought, "That WAS a GOOD movie."