Obsession, lies and videotapes.
Added 3/3/2010
Welcome to the moody and atmospheric vision of Canadian director Atom Egoyan's vision, his mind and the story behind the true story of Speaking Parts (circa 1989). Dark and sensual, grim and even depressing, though enlightening and well-thought out, Speaking Parts is an intelligent visual feast, both lush and wonderful to watch this unfolding emotional trauma, though at times, slow, takes itself too seriously, even abrupt in its editing, it's a worthwhile look-see, though not necessarily an easy visual to get through with a few, 'huh?' parts.
A small, bit play actor with no speaking parts in any of his body of work, Lance (Michael McManus) is waiting for his break-out moment, and finds it when a film crew has chosen the hotel he works at (both as a custodian and part-time gigolo), as its base of operation. Seducing and manipulating the film's writer, Clara (Gabrielle Rose), he is given his chance, but at the same time, Clara is not wholly without fault, for she too uses Lance to ensure her script stays true to form. As Lance, cold and distant, is finally finding his moment, the woman he works with at the hotel, a love-torn Lisa (Arsinée Khanjian) continues to indulge in her compulsive and aching obsession for Lance. It is to the point that she is wholly consumed by him but interacts with him only at work, and by watching all his silent role parts. As Lance, for the most part, is mostly indifferent and consumed with his own compulsive and obsessive needs pursue his goals, finally realizes the sacrifices made, may not be worth it.
Filled with pseudo-Freudian psychology (both visual and the double-entendres of the dialog) about self-repression, sexual tension and deep yearnings, with the slow and soft techno and heavy organ-like beats of music in the background, this is a film of noir and almost dreary atmosphere with all the most meaningful and even passionate interactions occurring via video/media form. You just know it ain't going to end well and direction of the story itself can feel like that. Lance is ambivalent, selfish and manipulates for personal gain; the women both lonely and in need of a connection, completion or fulfillment--all which you may despite and hate on the surface, or if you go under that surface, see the underlying crisis of the modern age according to Egoyan: technology as a substitute for real human contact, touch and dialog. At times, it is timeless and raw, and at other times, modern with powerful moments between the main characters, a veneer which is always questionable (is it real, or isn't it?) as well as more insightful dialog and interactions of Clara with a secondary character, a video-tape clerk Eddie (Tony Nardi), which add its own, almost, truthful, un-dreamlike and truly thoughtful layers. Seemingly clumsy and confusing, pay attention, watch carefully as it is meant to be watched, the eyes devouring as much as each character does. Then watch it again, and again, and again.
Speaking Parts is not about love or a love story, but about basic human emotion, projection and expression of those human emotions, and how a simple thing can become so complicated, twisted, breaks down and destroys. It's about saying nothing versus saying something and having it mean nothing, and the message is left up to the viewer. It's well played, though can be overly scripted and it's a concept that you will either appreciate or just find haphazardly put together or quite dull. While I see the intentional heavy-handed role of how technology interferes with human interactions and the disconnect that technology encourages between people, it was not my take on the film but the sharp and stark performances of the characters and the look of the film which was a character all on its own, with an ending I'm still not sure about. I liked this film, and I'm still trying to *understand* it.
The special features (including director's commentary, interview and biography of Atom Egoyan and deleted scenes), are a must, especially for any die-hard fans, and which further broadens the film's intent and how the story behind the story came together.
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another brilliant Egoyan film
Added 5/4/2005
Speaking Parts begins, as do all of Egoyan's films, in the middle of a complex web of relationships, and part of the joy of the movie is to figure out what those relationships are as they are revealed to us in a very natural way. Lance is a hotel housekeeper/gigolo/aspiring actor and Lisa is another housekeeper who loves him. Since this love is unrequited, Lisa obsessively rents videos in which he appears, though he does not have a speaking part in any of them; at one point Lisa even defends this to another character when she asserts that "words aren't all that important". Clara is the screenwriter for a film that is being cast, and in her staying at the hotel, Lance sees seducing her as his way of taking advantage of a big break. Clara, in the meantime, is often seen viewing a memorial film of her brother at a mausoleum.
As the film progresses, we learn that Clara's screenplay is autobiographical, though Clara is losing control of the project at the same time she's mesmerized by Lance. Characters are often seen detached from others -- viewing rather than participating in life and watching people rather than interacting with them. Also, many of the characters look alike in an androgynous way, becoming more interchangeable and confusing the relationships we see.
Egoyan is one of my favorite directors. Whenever I start a film of his that I haven't seen before, I settle in for a good long while. I watch it and then watch it with the director's commentary and then re-watch it. They are that rich and rewarding, and Speaking Parts is no exception.
Extras include an excellent and rewarding director's commentary as well as stills and some interviews with Egoyan.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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80's Avante Garde
Added 2/15/2002
This movie is a prime example of 80's egosim and the human need to see the way others view you. Lisa played by Khanjian,(I think she is also Atom's wife) is a hotel maid that craves the attention of Lance a co-worker. The bulk of the movie is centered on Lance and Lisa and how they their need for attention ultimately throws them into a web of intrigue, delusions, sexual desire and ultimatley death. This is a movie that is best seen more than once, due to it's hidden meaning and dialogue. If possible I would highly recommend getting the DVD version, because there is commentary from Atom that is very helpful. F.Y.I. Micheal McManus also appears in the sci-fi show "Lexx," as the dead bun-headed assassin Kai and he also has a cameo in "Dog Park," as the waiter.
5 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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Riveting and Spellbinding!!
Added 8/24/2001
I was pleasantly surprised to see the release of this film, since it got less than it's deserved attention. The moodiness and underlying tension focus on Lance, a part-time actor/houskeeper/ prostitute trying desperately to break into the forefront of dramatic performances, but all of his efforts seem to be thwarted at every turn. His employer wants to keep him as her own personal sexual property to be doled out upon demand to customers, and Lisa, another employee at the hotel where he works has raised the level of obsessiveness to new heights, dragging other people into her obsession. Claire, a screenwriter Lance seduces into helping him to be cast in a locally produced film, has her own obsessions, and incorporates Lance into compromising his own needs with disatrous results. The performances were outstanding, especially from McManus, who portrays the effete Lance with a mixture of selfishness and torment. Lisa's descent into madness is underplayed just right, no over-the-top histrionics. The only flaw I found was the unbelievably bad wig they put on McManus for the comparison to Claire's brother's image. It must have been dreadful to acheive the desired results with the stringy locks hovering around just enough to distract his performance. But then, bad wigs pretty much come with the territory for McManus, who is also one of the lead actors on the sci-fi epic, "Lexx", currently on television, but his performances are just as spellbinding.. The Dvd comes with lovely extra goodies, especially the narration by Egoyan, which explains motivations behind each and every scene. Also contained were deleted scenes, which explained a few things not evident on first viewing. Highly recommened, but ignore the bad costumes and hairdos...
7 out of 7 people found this helpful.
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A deeper look into Speaking Parts
Added 3/26/2000
"Speaking Parts" is far more than just the script for the movie. This softcover book also includes an introduction by Ron Burnett, an essay by Atom Egoyan, and an interview with Egoyan by Marc Glassman. These all lead the viewer to a deeper understanding of the complexity and artistry of Egoyan's second major film. The book is also enhanced by black and white stills as well as pages from the original script showing hand written sketches and dialogue changes. Also included is a filmography of Egoyan's films through 1993. If you've been carried away by the film as I have, you must find a copy of this book!
3 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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