Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Relentless

Author(s): Tony (Pittsburgh)
Relentless

Directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Written by Jim Taylor

Principal Cast:

Paul Giamatti as Bill Hicks
Jonathan Tucker as Steve Wallace
Isla Fisher as Connie
Juliet Stevenson as Ronna Wallace
Stephen Tobolowsky as Vin Wallace

Tagline: "It's his nightmare, we're living in it"

Synopsis: Steve Wallace has received the worst news of his life, being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Being an avid smoker and having the cancer run in the family, Wallace never took the matter seriously until two hours ago. With problems ranging from finding the right words with his best friend Connie, to unemployment from getting caught with possession of marijuana, and his recent fallout with his parents, Steve has reached an ultimate low. It wasn't until he stared down at the last cigarette before throwing it in the trash when he'd get his questions answered, his guidance. "Don't do it kid", he heard. He looked over and appearing out of nowhere was a man with long hair and a pudgy face, wearing cowboy boots and a black trench coat. The man talked about Steves situation and his life as if he knew him all his life. He introduced himself as Bill Hicks...and that he is dead.

Feeling the lapse of insanity, Bill tries to calm Steve down. Bill explains he is a figment of his imagination and no can see him nor Steve talking to him. When asked why Bill has come to help him he replies "Just passing along, death is more boring then people think". He explains to Steve that he to was a victim of pancreatic cancer in 1994 and look where it got him. Not familiar with Hicks at all, Bill takes Steve to a flashback when Bill was a rising stand-up comedian, noted for his bawdry outlook on politics, religion, southern folk, drugs, American society, and among other things. He was known for his bitterness, loud outbursts, and southern accent himself, being raised in Texas. He would often joke about getting cancer in his bits (an avid smoker), sure enough he'd have it. After he heard the news Bill didn't stop smoking. He tells Steve that the start of the healing process is to forget all about it and do your normal routine. Bill even joked about his deadly disease after he was diagnosed. It never stopped him from making people laugh, and now his mission is to help Steve fill in the blanks in his life.

Bill and Steve are about to embark on a journey that consists of conversation, reminiscence, and vulgarity. Bill takes him back to the pivotal moments in his life. One that includes being written off of the David Letterman show after the producers read his Jesus joke. The joke being why do people wear crosses on their necks when the last thing Jesus wants to see when he comes back is a cross. Another being in Fife, Alabama where he talked with citizens who claimed to see a flying saucer in the sky. When asked why did they bring shotguns to the siting they replied "Welp, we don't want to get abducted", his response, "Yeah, and leave all this". A gig in Chicago where a fan chanted "Free Bird" during his act. Bill responded by screaming "Hitler had the right idea, he was just an underachiever", later he would follow with his bit about unbiased genocide against all of humanity in general. Lastly, his incident with comedian Dennis Leary, when Leary released his cd "No Cure for Cancer" that was mostly a carbon copy rip off of Hick's material, naturally, Bill was outraged. The conversations between Steve and Bill mostly consist of Bills old material such as claiming that marijuana was God's mistake, Judas Priest albums killing gas station attendants, and his fantasy show titled "Let's Hunt and Kill Billy Ray Cyrus". Jokes aside, Bill is there through the tough struggles Steve must face. After patching things up in his life, Steve is open minded and prepared for the fight that awaits him, being grateful about his encounter with one of the most brilliant comedians in American history.

What the press would say:

"Relentless" is a successfully innovative biopic that combines fiction and reality in spellbinding ways. The directors of "American Splendor" have given us another crowning achievement with their uncanny directing ability but creating a surrealistic tone with the flashbacks where we are brought into the world of comedian cult king Bill Hicks. However, this is unlike most biopics we've seen. Instead of focusing on our lead, we are introduced to a side story, so to speak. A story about another victim of pancreatic cancer, Steve Wallace. Hicks guides him through the horrible process of perhaps facing death and getting in touch with the people that care for him. On the same path Hicks dialogue involves his old stand-up material that is beautifully written into a film by Jim Taylor. The way he incorporates the Hicks character in scenes with Steve is impressive on its own, considering Bill isn't real. Think "Mr. Brooks", where Costner talks to his bitter half Marshall without anyone noticing. Of course with great writing has to come great casting. Joining the crew once again is Paul Giamatti who takes the lead as our bitter hero. Giamatti studies his role like a drug dealer studies his supplies. His take on Bill Hicks is what we'd expect if Bill were still alive today, completely believable and natural. Everything from his speech patterns, mouth gestures, hand movements, Paul never knows when to stop. Aside from being our witty leading man, Giamatti also delivers great emotion with his relationship with Steve. The role is Steve is played by young up and comer Jonathan Tucker. Tucker does an immense portrayal of a young man with nothing to live for that just wants closure in his life. Although at times he becomes argumental with Bill, Steve wants nothing more then to feel like a normal human being and is open to everything Hicks has to say. Tucker is in a role that is easy to like, and at the end of day we admire it. From his side kick humor to superb, sentimental realism, the Tuck delivers. "Relentless" is the unique feel good movie of the year. It's a different aspect on believing in yourself and not letting life events bring you down, no matter how devastating the situation. On another behalf, it tells the story about a comedian that put social critism and diatribes on the map in comedy. A man that was before his time, and when asked why Bill isn't famous while Dennis Leary is on his material, the answer will be "Because there's no cure for cancer."

FYC:

Best Picture
Best Actor - Paul Giamatti
Best Supporting Actor - Jonathan Tucker
Best Director - Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Best Original Screenplay - Jim Taylor
Best Original Score
Best Editing

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