¿2004
FILM
C h r o n ic a l l y
U n f e a s ib l e
TLA Entertainment
ergio Bianchi’s 2000
film Chronically U nfea
sible, recently released
on DVD, calls to mind
the work of Bertolt Brecht,
the radical and hugely influ
ential 20th century playwright and poet who
used (some would say misused) dramatic tools
to alienate the audience in order to politically
and aesthetically galvanize it.
In true Brechtian style, Bianchi gives us
(in lieu o f a linear plot) a series of fablelike
vignettes. T he place is Brazil, the time is
now, and, since the nation we’re shown is as
exemplary a model of a defeatist, hypocritical
Debt to society
Bianchi does Brecht in a gritty little fable from Brazil
class and social system as there ever was, the
tone is sardonic.
Bianchi excerpts indicative moments from
the lives of our six would-be protagonists— a
go-go bourgeois businessman and his philan
thropic wife, a professor, a gay immigrant
waiter from Poland, the manager of a chic
restaurant and its owner— as an acute demon
stration of that tried-but-true thing about the
personal being political.
Glimpses into Brazil’s male prostitution
underground and a disastrous fling between
the restaurant owner and the waiter is par
ticularly provocative
for the queer viewer.
T he film has a
broader, more didac
tic style than most of
Fassbinder (another
post-Brechtian film
maker), but Bianchi
evidently shares
Fassbinder’s view
that sexual libera
tion in a vacuum,
disconnected from
other forms of social
justice, is half-there
and easily
exploitable. It’s a
point executed with
Sexual liberation disconnected from other forms of social justice is easily trenchant confi
exploitable in C hronically U n feasible
dence; what we see
is recognizable and frightening. (In a way,
this is also a horror film.)
Chronically Unfeasible is quasi-documentary
sociology as take-no-prisoners satire; it’s heart
less yet honest, ugly yet spellbinding, unpleas
ant yet ultimately empathetic. T he violence—
of the emotional, economic and physical vari
eties— is posed as a question to the audience,
and it’s a question that clearly haunts the film
maker himself. Bianchi’s intent is to rob us of
any blissful ignorance or oversimplified views
we may have, and he’s relentlessly successful.
— Christopher M cQuam
F r i e n d s & F a m il y
W olfe Video
Frier* is ¿¿Fam ily
ï *:■
Ciü¡>
ollywood is full df
hybrid comedies, pair
ing disparate subjects in
search of laughs. “She’s a
nun, he’s a punk rocker.
* -r
They’re detectives!’’
Now comes the latest
in gay hybrid: the odd, sometimes amusing
Friends & Family. Its premise? Cross The
Sopranos with The Birdcage (or, for older read
ers, The G odfather with La C age A ux Folles).
Stephen (Greg Lauren of The Wedding
Planner) and Danny (Christopher Gartin) are
two erudite Manhattan lovers whose world
seems to be picture perfect. To their “friends
and family,” they’re successful caterers, but
their big secret is that they’re really hit men
for the Mafia.
W hen Stephen’s parents come to the big
city to celebrate FBI agent Dad’s birthday, the
boys must scramble to set up an elaborate din
ner party. But to keep their secret life a secret,
they must train their goombah Mafia buddies
to be fabulous. Cue the stereotypes-on-parade
as middle-aged Italian wiseguys learn to
prance, flit and flirt. As expected, complica
tions create much chaos, including rival gang
sters, drag queens, right-wing militia revolu
tionaries and more.
For a movie about hit men, Friends & Fam
ily sidesteps most o f the moral questions about
Mafioso killers-for-hire. Stephen and Danny
are so perfect in their chiseled good looks and
sweet home life that viewers aren’t supposed
to question their illegal actions. Instead, the
movie focuses on the wackiness of the current
situation, and, while the comedy is solely of
the “only in a movie, never in reality” variety,
it’s effective most of the time.
T he cast is filled with familiar B-listers
you’ve seen time and again (especially the
Mafia men who’ve made careers out of varia
tions on the role), creating a comfort zone for
the viewer. Joseph Triehwasser’s script is at
times clever but relies too much on clichés; it
also cribs so literally from L a C age that it
could almost be a funhouse mirror remake.
The direction by Kristen Coury (her debut) is
barely professional, with the dinner party
scenes especially poorly staged.
W hich isn’t to say that Friends & Family
isn’t worth watching. It’s like a plate of Rice
Krispie treats— sweet, gummy, overly familiar
and perfect to share with...friends and family.
— Andy Mangels jH
Coventry
cW es¿sídes
Cycle (V W orks
c? tonisi/
O ur professionals
002 SE 38th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
503.231.3912
Wed - Sat
P R U L M IT C H E L L .
Looking for something to do
or need that special gift you can't
find anywhere else in town?
Well then visit Let's Do Coffee, West Linn's gay owned and operated gourmet coffee and total gift shop
Let’s Do Coffee has found some of the most unique, exquisite gifts as well as some of the best greeting
cards in town (no, not cards to give your Mom!) Looking for men's skin care that works? We have i t !
Candles, gourmet foods, local art, jewelry, fun and whimsical gifts, too many great things to list.
Don Duncan
owner
&
Teleflora
zoili arrange
Professional Service
your delivery
Comfortable Bikes
503 ) 642-9992
1 - 800 - 356-1884
(
Aloha Market Centre
20455 SW TV Highway
www. westsi deflor i st. net
R ecum bents . i Specialty /
(COME SEE WHY!)
Open Tuesday-Sunday
( 503) 2 3 0 7723
2025 SF Hawthorne
Coffee • Pastries • Sandwiches • Quiche • Salads • Gourmet Desserts
Computers 8c Internet Access • Cards Candles * Books • Jewelry * Gifts
Free wireless internet access, plus two work stations with internet access free o f charge!
Stay and relax or get your coffee on the run. Enjoy some o f our gourmet pastries,
sandwiches, quiche, or salads that are wonderful for lunch or dinner. Delight
in an amazing dessert after dinner - we're open late seven nights a week!
(cds do
19373 SW Willamette Dr.
West Linn, OR 97068
503-635-4224
www.letsdocoffeellc.com
Monday - Thursday Sam - 9pm • Friday 5am - 10pm
Saturday 6am - 10pm • Sunday 7am - 9pm