The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

"Paranoid Park"

By Matthew Meriwether 7/28/10

Paranoid Park is film as an art form, visually and poetically. It has a seemingly modest plot progression and is done in a modest way. But the back and forth timeline, the change in cinematography, and switch of rock music and classical music is very embracive to art in general, and it's almost exhilarating to watch a movie that's done in that manor.

The story shouldn't really be explained. The less you know about it, the better it is. The main character tells the story in his own words. In a way it's a mystery, but not the sort you're used to.

Aside from being dark and mysterious, the film also wonderfully shows an average life of a teenager. And in this case, how something not average can affect it. And it does it in a way that isn't in any way in your face, or stereotypical. It's just honest and real.

This film, although modest, is very brave and an innerly emotional experience. From the start you're intrigued, and even though it's slow moving, it keeps your interest. Some indie films are stylish, but without much to say. This is stylish, but has quite a bit to say.