Vic (2006)
Studio: Grindhouse Releasing
Theatrical Release: January 2006
DVD Release: December 10, 2013
Director: Sage Stallone
Not Rated
Review by James Klein
If Vic was the kind of movie the late Sage Stallone was bound to continue to write and direct, then the world has truly lost a talented man. Vic is the kind of movie that re-enforces my love for film making, reassures me that film is an art form, and re-juvinates my creative spirit. This is the very reason why I love film so much, because of a powerful movie such as Vic. And the fact that Vic is a short film, I cannot recommend this movie enough to struggling film makers and actors alike. There is more passion and heart told in this short film than in most Hollywood productions.
Vic stars the amazing Clu Gulager, who most fans will remember him from Return of the Living Dead, Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, and The Killers. However, Gulager has been acting since the mid 1950's and has performed in everything from westerns to action films to horror to comedies. But Vic could very well be his tour de force, a performance so heart-breaking and tragic but yet also humorous that it was daring for Gulager to take on such a personal role.
Vic is an actor now past his prime. He now acts in gory slasher films and even needs to borrow money from the director when the day has ended. Living alone with only his dog, Vic is awaken one night by a strange phone call. A young film maker is working on a new film and asks Vic to read for one of the major parts. At first offended that he has to read for a role, Vic quickly realizes that this could be lightning in a bottle and that this may be his last chance at a great role. But when the fear of now looking too old strikes Vic as well as his dog winding up missing, Vic's life starts to quickly spiral downward. As Vic begins to unravel, his audition is both funny and hard to watch.
Stallone's masterful direction is on par with Gulager's breath-taking performance. I loved some of the shots Stallone came up with (the director of photography was also Clu's son John, the director of Feast) as many images remain out of focus aside for Vic's face. His use of close-ups is also quite effective and adds to the amazing performance. And in one of my favorite scenes, during the audition of the role Vic is trying to nab, there are several genre actors showing up briefly such as Gregory Sierra, John Phillip Law, Richard Herd, John Lazar, and Peter Mark Richman. One may not know these actors by name but most will recognize their faces which adds to the theme of elderly actors now past their prime. When one can't remember his lines anymore or can't physically take on the role given to him, what happens to this person? Can one survive?
It's a shame that there aren't more special features on this disc. There is a montage of Clu Gulager movies that runs for only a minute or so. There is also an interview with Gulager who talks about the making of this film and what Vic meant to him. While Gulager for many years has been known to be difficult to work with, he comes across as both appreciative and moved that he was given this opportunity to take on such a meaningful part. This is a role that actors dream of being offered and Gulager knocks it out of the park.
While some viewers may find the film a bit too dark and downbeat, Vic is a must see and a work of art.
[Rating: 5]
Theatrical Release: January 2006
DVD Release: December 10, 2013
Director: Sage Stallone
Not Rated
Review by James Klein
If Vic was the kind of movie the late Sage Stallone was bound to continue to write and direct, then the world has truly lost a talented man. Vic is the kind of movie that re-enforces my love for film making, reassures me that film is an art form, and re-juvinates my creative spirit. This is the very reason why I love film so much, because of a powerful movie such as Vic. And the fact that Vic is a short film, I cannot recommend this movie enough to struggling film makers and actors alike. There is more passion and heart told in this short film than in most Hollywood productions.
Vic stars the amazing Clu Gulager, who most fans will remember him from Return of the Living Dead, Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, and The Killers. However, Gulager has been acting since the mid 1950's and has performed in everything from westerns to action films to horror to comedies. But Vic could very well be his tour de force, a performance so heart-breaking and tragic but yet also humorous that it was daring for Gulager to take on such a personal role.
Vic is an actor now past his prime. He now acts in gory slasher films and even needs to borrow money from the director when the day has ended. Living alone with only his dog, Vic is awaken one night by a strange phone call. A young film maker is working on a new film and asks Vic to read for one of the major parts. At first offended that he has to read for a role, Vic quickly realizes that this could be lightning in a bottle and that this may be his last chance at a great role. But when the fear of now looking too old strikes Vic as well as his dog winding up missing, Vic's life starts to quickly spiral downward. As Vic begins to unravel, his audition is both funny and hard to watch.
Stallone's masterful direction is on par with Gulager's breath-taking performance. I loved some of the shots Stallone came up with (the director of photography was also Clu's son John, the director of Feast) as many images remain out of focus aside for Vic's face. His use of close-ups is also quite effective and adds to the amazing performance. And in one of my favorite scenes, during the audition of the role Vic is trying to nab, there are several genre actors showing up briefly such as Gregory Sierra, John Phillip Law, Richard Herd, John Lazar, and Peter Mark Richman. One may not know these actors by name but most will recognize their faces which adds to the theme of elderly actors now past their prime. When one can't remember his lines anymore or can't physically take on the role given to him, what happens to this person? Can one survive?
It's a shame that there aren't more special features on this disc. There is a montage of Clu Gulager movies that runs for only a minute or so. There is also an interview with Gulager who talks about the making of this film and what Vic meant to him. While Gulager for many years has been known to be difficult to work with, he comes across as both appreciative and moved that he was given this opportunity to take on such a meaningful part. This is a role that actors dream of being offered and Gulager knocks it out of the park.
While some viewers may find the film a bit too dark and downbeat, Vic is a must see and a work of art.
[Rating: 5]
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