"Sunset Strip" is a waste of time. At first, I thought the concept of the Strip as the basis for a film would lend itself to comedy or, at the very least, nostalgia about the place and the time... But it's not any of that. It's not entertaining, funny or even nostalgic.
I'd say "Sunset Strip" was a "chick flick", but that would be too much of an insult to the line of films specifically targeted at female audiences. Most "Chick Flicks" are composed of mainly dialogue and no physical action; The lead character usually has feelings he or she can't resolve, and then through some unforeseen event, is able to reconcile his or her personal difficulties by the end of the film.
If that were the case with "Sunset Strip", it would be a much better film.
Instead, the viewer is witness to a parade of self-absorbed individuals caught up with becoming the "next big thing". That's the real premise of the film, as the beginning narration alludes to with a remark about how "everything could change in 24 hours".
However, 24 hours wouldn't be fast enough to change the lives of the people this story centered around. Having to watch this film and the characters interact aimlessly for 24 minutes was a hateful experience in itself.
What made "Boogie Nights" unique was that the script was based on the activities of actual individuals who were closely associated with the porn underground in Hollywood. Watching that film was sort of like picking up a rock to see what's crawling around underneath it. I knew I probably wasn't going to relate to any of the characters in that film either, but the film's story unfolded with each event with precision; That made it a good film.
"Sunset Strip" is none of any of the above. It's like watching someone do an impression of someone else doing an impression of a 70's club burnout. There's not really any story, nothing to say. It's a carbon copy of a carbon copy. And it sure isn't going to inspire anyone to do anything beyond getting up and turning the video player off.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Totally Misses the Era With a Wretched Script
Added 8/20/2006
I can't believe previous reviews of this film. Sure, there are some talented actors involved, but that can't save an extremely bad script. Had they had something to work with, this could have been good. But what an embarrassing disaster this turns out to be for all involved!!
I was very familiar with the Sunset Strip circa 1968 - 1975. This movie misses the mark completely. It is so wrong! Too bad too, because on the surface, it could have an been excellent period piece. But, like the Doors, the more recent Brian Jones biopic disaster, and many other so called rock releated period pieces, it fails due to the lack of care, knowledge, and plain self-indulgence of the makers.
So to all involved in the writing, directing and production of this film - [...]!! YOU GOT THE WHOLE DAMN THING ALL WRONG!!!
To all potential buyers wanting an accurate view of the Strip and the times supposedly represented you won't find it here - steer clear of this piece of dung. Even if you don't care about accuracy, this film is just plain lousy. It should have never been made. JUNK! Believe me, I wouldn't want you wasting your time or money on this. Don't even rent, you'll be in for a huge disappointment.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Good movie
Added 7/28/2003
I liked it because it has Rory Cochrane. So there.
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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doesn't stack up
Added 8/24/2002
This is another movie about the 60s/70s with all the sex, drugs, and rock & roll. But this one doesn't quite stack up to the others. There are two storylines, that never really converge. I'd say the acting is ok, it's an ensemble cast, but no big names in there, nor any stellar performances. The soundtrack is good, but other than that, this movie doesn't add anything that those that came before have. Maybe check it out on cable.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Not the worst, but...
Added 8/6/2002
I rented this movie with the sole intention of seeing what Rory Cochrane's been up to since "Empire Records". Nice to know he's still playing the disaffected youth, only grown to full-blown sociopathic, self-destructive adulthood. I didn't think the movie was terrible in and of itself, hence two stars instead of one. I was amused by the costuming (I almost want to own all of Hot Lava's clothes), really liked some of the camera work, got a kick out of the soundtrack and loved the scene where Zack and the busboy start playing guitar. Still, the dialogue wasn't particularly inspired, for the life of me I couldn't figure out WHY Michael was in love with Tammy, the musician characters were entirely one-dimensional (though I do agree with whoever it was who said Jared Leto was the best actor in this lot) and was left hollow by the tidy little notecards at the end of the movie telling the outcome of everyone's lives. As for Felix...oh, Rory...I was so disappointed. This character could've been the muse/honesty barometer/fairy godfather, and there are hints of that side of him, i.e. when he takes it on himself to get Michael and Tammy together. Instead he just comes across as hostile and smelly, occasionally taking the time to randomly do things that might be construed as benevolent if done by someone who wasn't so clearly misanthropic. Perhaps the best way to watch this is as the appetizer for "Almost Famous". Just enough '70s flavor to get you going, but nowhere near enough to eclipse the real article.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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"Sunset Strip" is a waste of time. At first, I thought the concept of the Strip as the basis for a film would lend itself to comedy or, at the very least, nostalgia about the place and the time... But it's not any of that. It's not entertaining, funny or even nostalgic.
I'd say "Sunset Strip" was a "chick flick", but that would be too much of an insult to the line of films specifically targeted at female audiences. Most "Chick Flicks" are composed of mainly dialogue and no physical action; The lead character usually has feelings he or she can't resolve, and then through some unforeseen event, is able to reconcile his or her personal difficulties by the end of the film.
If that were the case with "Sunset Strip", it would be a much better film.
Instead, the viewer is witness to a parade of self-absorbed individuals caught up with becoming the "next big thing". That's the real premise of the film, as the beginning narration alludes to with a remark about how "everything could change in 24 hours".
However, 24 hours wouldn't be fast enough to change the lives of the people this story centered around. Having to watch this film and the characters interact aimlessly for 24 minutes was a hateful experience in itself.
What made "Boogie Nights" unique was that the script was based on the activities of actual individuals who were closely associated with the porn underground in Hollywood. Watching that film was sort of like picking up a rock to see what's crawling around underneath it. I knew I probably wasn't going to relate to any of the characters in that film either, but the film's story unfolded with each event with precision; That made it a good film.
"Sunset Strip" is none of any of the above. It's like watching someone do an impression of someone else doing an impression of a 70's club burnout. There's not really any story, nothing to say. It's a carbon copy of a carbon copy. And it sure isn't going to inspire anyone to do anything beyond getting up and turning the video player off.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Totally Misses the Era With a Wretched Script
Added 8/20/2006
I can't believe previous reviews of this film. Sure, there are some talented actors involved, but that can't save an extremely bad script. Had they had something to work with, this could have been good. But what an embarrassing disaster this turns out to be for all involved!!
I was very familiar with the Sunset Strip circa 1968 - 1975. This movie misses the mark completely. It is so wrong! Too bad too, because on the surface, it could have an been excellent period piece. But, like the Doors, the more recent Brian Jones biopic disaster, and many other so called rock releated period pieces, it fails due to the lack of care, knowledge, and plain self-indulgence of the makers.
So to all involved in the writing, directing and production of this film - [...]!! YOU GOT THE WHOLE DAMN THING ALL WRONG!!!
To all potential buyers wanting an accurate view of the Strip and the times supposedly represented you won't find it here - steer clear of this piece of dung. Even if you don't care about accuracy, this film is just plain lousy. It should have never been made. JUNK! Believe me, I wouldn't want you wasting your time or money on this. Don't even rent, you'll be in for a huge disappointment.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Good movie
Added 7/28/2003
I liked it because it has Rory Cochrane. So there.
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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