Watched tonight: God Bless America
Fair warning: this film has a lot of shooting in it. As to whether it glorifies violence is another matter, but it’s a weird film to watch given the current climate. With that in mind, observations:
- It’s a black comedy, through and through. This film will not appeal to a lot of people. The people who will laugh at it will undoubtedly feel guilty after every single laugh.
- It’s very preachy, too - and in terms of presenting narrative, that’s the biggest issue I had with it; Bobcat Goldthwait, the writer-director, is extremely articulate but there are parts that feel more like a novel or, at worst, an erudite political manifesto. There’s a lot of telling, and not enough showing.
- Surprisingly, this film ends up being about an odd relationship, and not about how America is full of vacuity. The shooting of the worst kinds of people ends up being a vehicle, rather than the point, and that might be what redeems it.
- Definitely not for everyone. But Joel Murray is a force of nature in this one.