Felt
(2014/Anchor Bay DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Film: C
It
isn't outright said that our main character was raped, there are
subtle hints along the way that point to that. Felt, directed
by Jason Banker, utilizes handheld camera work and sharp edits that
help contribute to the uneasiness of the film and the sharp
performance by Amy Everson.
Amy
is hanging on by a thread. Struggling to cope with past sexual
trauma and the daily aggressions of a male-dominated society, she
creates grotesquely costumed alter egos that re-appropriate the male
form. While giving her the sense of power she craves, acting as
these characters pushes her further into a world of her own making.
When
she begins a new relationship with a seemingly good guy, she opens
herself up to him - but that vulnerability comes at a dangerous cost,
and her alter egos threaten to lash out in explosive violence. Based
on the real experiences and art of co-writer/star Amy Everson, Felt
doesn't just point a finger at rape culture; it takes a full on swing
at it, creating a feminist psychological thriller that audiences will
be hard-pressed to shake off.
At
the end of the day, the film feels more experimental than narrative
and drives it point across in bizarre and unusual ways that are hit
or miss. If you are a fan of surrealist dramas, then it may be worth
checking out.
Presented
in standard definition with an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of
1.78:1 and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track, the film looks fine on
DVD but could benefit from an upgrade. No extras.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
