DIRECTORS CUT REVIEW

Film Review by FIORE

I’ve been a fan of the comedy of Penn and Teller for some time.  Their concept of revealing magical tricks, while performing more complicated prestidigitation is entertaining and amazing; like watching the CARBONARO EFFECT.  With DIRECTOR’S CUT, Penn performs the same sorcery with film.  Anyone who finds over the top parody amusing, will laugh heartily during this film. I know I did.

The premise is a fundraising film, directed by Adam Rifkin, called KNOCKED OFF.  The film looks cheesy from the get go, but what viewers see is a director’s cut of the film from one of the magnanimous fundraisers.

Penn Jilette is Herbert Blount, who has contributed a hefty sum towards Rifkin’s project.  He purchases a cameo role, a line of dialogue and the right to film b-roll during production.  Blount is also possessively in love with movie star Missi Pyle.  He feels Pyle is not given enough screen time, nor giving him enough attention, so he opts to purloin the film footage, and Missi, to create his own vision or, the DIRECTOR’S CUT.

In the process, as is his penchant, Penn reveals the secrets of filmmaking, various terminology, tricks of the trade and the foibles of life on the set.  Simultaneously, he utilizes camera and foley techniques, AfterEffects and green screens to create his version of the movie.  He also incorporates criticism of Rifkin’s version with a telestrator.  His use of the technology would make Jay Caufield jealous.  

Starring with Jilette and Pyle are Harry Hamlin, Hayes Macarthur, Lin Shaye, Gilbert Gottfried, Adam Rifkin and Penn’s partner Teller, who has a speaking part.  This is rather unsettling as Teller, like Harpo Marx, never speaks while performing.  The cast are mostly friends of the magic duo, and seem to be having as much fun with the sendup as Penn.  Hamlin is looking rather gaunt.  Many years have passed since his days as Perseus in Ray Harryhausen’s original CLASH OF THE TITANS.

DIRECTOR’S CUT is filled with inside jokes.  The movie is a parody of a parody.  It skewers film directing, crowdfunding, studios, the police, amateur filmmakers and movie star fans.  With my background in film, I found DIRECTOR’S CUT extremely clever and funny, as will anyone who has dabbled into the crowd fundraising ruse, or attempted to make a movie.  Ironically,

DIRECTOR’S CUT is a crowd funded production; Penn’s last joke.