DVD
I Heart Huckabees

Starring: Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Dustin Hoffman and Naomi Watts
20th Century Fox
RRP: £19.99
27229DVD
Certificate: 12
Available 18 April 2005


Albert Markovski is an environmental activist seeking the meaning behind a series of coincidental meetings with an enigmatic stranger. He enlists the help of existential detectives, who agree to spy on his everyday activity in order to understand his psyche. The detectives discover that Albert is locked in a battle with Brad Stand, a smarmy executive at the Huckabees department store chain. Shallow and vain, Brad defies Albert's protests about the proposed expansion of Huckabees into a nearby marsh. In an attempt to help Albert seek answers to his profound questions, the detectives introduce Albert to Tommy Corn, a disillusioned fire-fighter who is seeking answers to the same questions on life. Their lives become entangled as their wild romp through life's biggest questions brings them to some startling truths...

When David O Russell and Jeff Baena's comedy I Heart Huckabees hit cinema screens it was one of those movies that I wasn't sure about seeing - unsure if it was too 'cooky' for my own varied tastes. Once ventured into though, the movie itself was a stark realisation of today's disassociated mid-20's going nowhere lifestyle so often exemplified in the western world.

Featuring quality performances from the likes of Dustin Hoffman and Mark Wahlberg, in roles you wouldn't normally associate them with, the movie takes you on a journey the likes of which are so rare on the big screen that it leaves you wondering why other filmmakers don't employ the same leading edge cinematography techniques, or indeed why so many copy, and so few lead.

Of course, every film has its downside. I've always been a great fan of Jude Law's roles, but his American accent leaves a lot to be desired. That said, a good plot - if odd - a nice pace, and strong character association lead you toward the final scenes in this intelligent and funny film, that doesn't fail to keep you interested. Whether you are glued to the screen to find out what on earth each character is going to do next, or to explore the gently unwinding plot, the end credits roll up with a sense of satisfaction.

Extra's include a behind the scenes featurettes, and the usual, but much needed gag reel. A well presented but inevitably simple menu doesn't take away from the film elegance and charm, leaving you with a fine addition to your DVD collection.

Keri Allan

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