Day #2 - Naked

Another day of continuing this charade that I will be able to watch a 365 movies in a year.  Kind of funny though, I made it though the film today but got really drowsy during the movie (I worked until 2:00am this morning).  But as soon as the movie was over I got up and started diner and washing dishes and folding laundry.  Once I ate, I sat in the spot I watched the movie and turned the TV on and started flipping.  I wonder if this has something to due with the mindless nature of TV, or did I simply get my second wind after a long day at work and a not exactly riveting, plot driven film.

The boring film I am speaking of is the 1993 Mike Leigh directed "Naked".  And to be honest the film is anything but boring.  It is the story of a wondering, social misfit from Manchester played with ruthless vigor by David Thewils.  As is often the case with Mike Leigh's films which include Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy and last years Happy-Go-Lucky plot takes a back seat to performance.  This character study delves deep into the self importance, self destructive nature of Thewils "Johnny" as he wonders around London interfering with a former girlfriend, her flatmate and various other unsuspecting bystanders.  He rants about the bible, the end of the world, alienation, drugs, sex and any other thing he can get an audience for.


This is not an easy watch for a number of reasons.  First off is the action is character.  Which leads to several scenes of talking and talking and more talking.  I have read that a good deal of the films dialogue was improvised or constructed during rehearsal.  Which, if true, is quite impressive.  Another reason this is a difficult watch is that is is highly sexual in a disturbing nature.  There is a lot of sex in the movie.  Not all of it is consensual or it can not be recognized if consent was given during or before the act.  Rape has never played well for American audiences.  The final reason this can be difficult to sit through is that no one in the movie really gets you to root for them.  All the characters are either a total a-holes, sexual prevents, delusional flunkies, manic control freaks or perhaps the greatest sin...passive bystanders in life.  That might be the message this film is trying to get across.

Overall I did enjoy this film.  It had been in my queue for a long time and I am glad that I have dug deeper into Mr. Leigh's catalogue.  I would give Naked a 3/5 stars.

For more please check out the trailer on YouTube by clicking the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WdAPqhnzwQ