Fay Grim
(2007/Hal Hartley)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C+ Concert: B-
Hal
Hartley has maintained his independent credibility for years. Now he is shooting his features in HD and Fay Grim (2007) is a sequel to his
popular Henry Fool. Whether you have seen the previous film or
not, this stands out well on its own, though seeing the first will give you
additional in jokes. On the lamb for
seven years, Fay (Parker Posey) already has to deal with her brother Simon
(James Urbaniak) in prison for helping Henry evade capture. Suddenly, she gets an opportunity to see him
overseas thanks to the CIA!
Despite
having to juggle her son Ned (Liam Aiken), Fay goes for it and lands up
involved in international intrigue and murder where she does not know who she
can trust. This even extends to the main
agent (Jeff Goldblum) who makes her the offer in the first place.
Without
selling out, Hartley has made a funny sequel that is smarter than your formula
film and just loves The Cold War spy thrillers of the past. Posey, just coming off of her commercial turn
in Superman Returns, is hilarious in
the title role and the cast is in top notch form to make this slightly manic
and wacky. The film has some serious
moments too, as well as an interesting use of text graphics on the image, which
is not overdone. The result makes Fay Grim a pleasant surprise.
The 1.78
X 1 image was shot in digital High Definition and it can show in definition,
depth and detail limits. Otherwise, this
is a decent shoot by up and coming cinematographer Sarah Cawley. Hartley did the music score himself and the
Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is interesting without being consciously quirky. Extras include deleted scenes, Hartley’s
original trailer for the film and two featurettes. One is a making of piece, the other an
episode of Higher Definition from HDNet.
- Nicholas Sheffo
