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Fay Grim (R)





Release Date: May 18th, 2007 (IFC Center) by Magnolia Pictures.
The Cast: Parker Posey, James Urbaniak, Jeff Goldblum, Leo Fitzpatrick, Liam Aiken, Saffron Burrows, Elina Lowensohn, Chuck Montgomery and Thomas Jay Ryan
Directed by Hal Hartley.

BASIC PREMISE: CIA agent Fulbright (Goldblum) summons Fay Grim (Posey) to find the notebooks of her fugitive husband, Henry Fool (Ryan), which contains sensitive information about national security.

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: This incoherent, unfocused sequel to Henry Fool has very little going for it other than Parker Posey’s quirky performance. Ten years after her ex-husband, Henry, fled from authorities, Fay Grim lives with her teenage son (Aiken). Her brother, Simon (Urbaniak) is in jail for assisting in Henry’s disappearance and he might be able to help her retrieve Henry’s notebooks. Too much of the tedious second act feels absurd, pretentious and unimaginative. Writer/director Hal Hartley fails to add any suspense or thrills and humorous attempts often fall flat. The intricate plot jumps around too often with very little character development. Hartley shoots many scenes in bizarre, headache-inducing angles, as if he either wasn’t wearing his glasses while filming or had a little too much to drink. None of the actors stand out other than Parker Posey, who makes the most out of her silly role. She delivers her lines in intentionally awkward and stilted ways, but at least she tries to enliven this dull film. At a running time of 118 minutes, Fay Grim often drags and overstays its welcome.

SPIRITUAL VALUE: None is required or desired.

INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: Confusing, pretentious and dull.

NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 12

IN A NUTSHELL: Parker Posey’s quirky performance doesn’t compensate for the confusing, pretentious and dull plot with head-ache inducing scenes.

RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: TV


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