Alex's life gets turned upside down when he accidentally kills a guard whilst illegally riding a train. In the days which follow he chronicles his thoughts and feelings whilst trying to stay away from the police investigation...

Paranoid Park (2007, 1 hr 21 min 4 sec) is another film about alienation from auteur writer and director Gus Van Sant (Mala Noche, My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting). This is well trodden ground for Van Sant, though instead of rehashing the same idea he appears to be refining this particular obsession of his. The film was nominated for four awards and won two, including the prestigious 60th Anniversary Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Although the publicity and trailer makes the film look like a piece about skaters, really it’s about trying to make sense of the senseless - a feeling that often accompanies teenage years.

Gab Nevin, in his first role, plays Alex with a quiet introspection which may have some viewers confused about what is really going on with the character. But I think that his portrayal of the aftermath of the accident is in keeping with Alex’s almost painfully shy persona. Rather than not caring, Alex comes across as someone who is overwhelmed by events, which is a more realistic interpretation. Nevin also stays away from portraying Alex as a typical callous skater dude; he’s just a normal kid, from a troubled family, trying to make sense of his world.

The rest of the cast form a kind of backdrop to Alex’s life and as such have little to do except give Alex something to react to. That said the mostly young cast do a superb job, including Taylor Momsen as Jennifer and Jake Miller as Alex’s best friend Jared.

A lot of Van Sant's films about alienation are contemplative in their tone, so it came with some surprise to see the graphic death scene of the guard, who gets cut in half by a train. Though, in retrospect. this was possibly necessary to counterpoint Alex’s reaction. Without having seen what Alex saw, it would have been too easy for the audience to dismiss the importance of the event.

The film comes with some extras. A making of featurette (26 min 21 sec) has some short interviews with the cast and random shots of making the film, but ultimately tells you nothing about the making of Paranoid Park, odd that. Next up is a confusing little number in the form of Future Shorts: Secret Cinema Event (6 min 19 sec), which lacks any explanation or narration, but my best guess is that it is the premier of the film as the short cuts between skaters and the film itself. Also included is the original theatrical trailer.

The film is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic, on the audio front you have a choice of stereo, 5.1 or DTS, but to be honest, as the film consists of mostly the quiet musings of Alex, don’t expect too much dynamic sound from your rear speakers.

The film will please fans of Van Sant's work, though it may confuse the casual viewer - but stick with it as the film offers up its own quirky rewards.

8

Charles Packer