Here's a few words about the latest cinematic let-down... 'Viva'
First, I heard about 'Viva' about a year ago, the internet was all abuzz with talk of a new exploitation send-off by new comer Anna Biller (who produces, writes, directs, stars and costumes the film) I looked foreward to seeing it for a very long time HOWEVER- I was largely dissapointed. Here are several reasons why...
(let me explain that when I watch a film I take into account every element of that movie: cinematography, music, costumes and scenery, writing, directing and acting. I don't just decide "That movie sucks! I just don't like it" there's always a degree to which i like or dislike a film.)
First- The acting: (holy shit, let's talk about the acting!) Ms. Biller is one incredibly bad actress; and how exactly does one enjoy a film when the puppetmaster behind it can't even deliver the lines she wrote herself?? And I'm not clueless, I know the genre better than anyone I know, I get that it's cheesy one-liners and whatnot. However, I think that instead of making the film an homage to exploitation it simply comes across as someone pointing out how laughable SOME films of the era are. I feel it would have been much more groundbreaking to represent the amazing films (like Russ Meyer or Jack Hill). I also can't help but notice that the co-stars who showed promising acting skills were given minimal parts. So, in short I think her biggest mistake was casting herself in the lead role. (ALSO, she made ugly faces through the whole movie- she should have spent some time practicing her poses in the mirror. Any girl with half a brain knows how to work it.) And, not to be mean but, doesn't the 'sex goddess' need to be sexy? I'm just sayin'.
Next- The directing: It came off to me as being inconsistant. Though it had it's moments and overall was stylish (for the most part) her inexperience showed. I did enjoy the scenes that had a technicolor look to them and the movie did actually look like an 'old movie'. (ONLY more reason for my discontent-seems like a waste.) I also think overall it was just difficult to gage the directing when sooo distracted by the terrible writing. (more on that below)
Also- The writing really irritated me. I have the patience of a saint when it comes to a slow moving movie or dialogue that is less than litterary gold but, this was absolutly redicuous. I found myself shouting outloud at the tv "reeeeally? seriously??" allthough I see what she was trying to do, she went about it in kindof a lazy "it would be soo easy to make an exploitation movie, you don't even have to write well or direct well" way.
Music- Actually the background music didn't bother me, I enjoyed it but, thought there should be more of it(there were alot of times it was too quiet or too minimal). The musical numbers were skimpy and badly written (EXCEPT the Bridget Brno bathtub song, adorable and totally a show-stealer..which is probably why you don't see her for fourty minutes after.) I especially despised the end scene with "just two little girls from the suburbs" considering Gentleman Prefer Blondes is one of my favorite films and it was butchered.
General Complaints: Contrary to popular belief a bunch of granny-panty shots and saggy tits aren't really what they meant by 'tits and ass' and certainly isn't enough to carry an exploitation movie (and I can't help but, think it was intentional that the other naked people in the movie didn't look better than you know who). AND YET AGAIN, the faces 'viva' made the entire time... I have the perfect example: you know when you watch porn and the girl is making a face like she's gonna throw up the entire time? Yep, ugly sex face. And she looked repulsed while kissing 'Agnes' (played by smokin' hot Robbie Ryan- who should have played the lead!!). AND one last thing-- that was the worst rape scene ever and if you know anything about exploitation they are known for that kindof thing and that is how you find yourself saying something as rediculous as "worst rape scene ever".
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