I honestly don’t know what to make of A GRAND MOCKERY. My confusion is intensified by the fact that the film is playing at both Fantasia currently and next month at Lincoln Center’s Scary Movies. Clearly, they see the film as a horror film and I don’t think it really is. It’s definitely a trip inside the main character’s head and unpleasant things happen but it’s more character study of a disturbed man than anything.
The film was shot in 8mm using various cinematic techniques and
featuring an almost constant voice over. The film feels like a very inde art
house film from the 1970’s. Its something that probably should be projected at a drive in at 2am.
The problem for me is I never found a way in. Yes, we are
watching a young man spiral and descend into a kind of madness but at the same
time I never found a way to care. Yes I love the techniques used and the look
of the film but to me the central figure always remained a cypher. I am not
going to lie, the desire to walk out on the film was strong, but the people
presenting and the supporting the film kept me seated hoping that I would find
something meaningful here.
I never did.
Is the film bad? No. But it’s very much for a particular
audience. You are either going to get it or not. This plays like a fever dream
and a half remembered nightmare, I have a feeling that had I seen this after
missing the first couple of minutes (after waking up at 2am) I probably would have
liked it more since I could have assumed I missed something at the start but
going from first frame to the last I was kind of baffled what this was all
about and what I was being asked to wrestle with it.
If you want an off Hollywood, off the beaten path film give
it a try. If want something else stay away.
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