URBANIA
Reviewed by Harvey Karten Unapix Director: Jon Shear Writer: Jon Shear, Daniel Reitz, play "Urban Folk Tales" by Daniel Reitz Cast: Dan Futterman, Alan Cumming, Matt Keeslar, Josh Hamilton, Lathaire Bluteau, Bill Sage, Barbara Sukowa, Paige Turco, Megan Dods, Gabriel Olds, Samuel Ball
The thirty-seven year old Dan Futterman, who is known principally to audiences that favor indie films like "Shooting Fish," has the look and smirk of a young Ben Gazzara. He appears in every scene of Jon Shear's adaptation of Daniel Reitz's play "Urban Folk Tales," a surreal, nihilistic journey into the netherworld of Manhattan's dark streets. Mixing flashbacks with intentionally comic and quick scenes from urban legends (such as the woman who microwaves her poodle to prevent its catching a cold and the man who wakes up in an ice-cold bath minus a kidney), "Urbania" is the story of a traumatic incident in a young man's life and the redemption he ultimately gains. Shane Kelly's Super 16 film gives this mysterious, sometimes opaque but always challenging tale the obligatory grainy look of a noir yarn while Marc Anthony Thompson's editing flashes back and forth from reality to imagination furiously, adding to the intensity of the central character's passion.
As Charlie (Dan Futterman) walks the streets of downtown Manhattan we recall Robert De Niro's perambulations through the hazy metropolitan byways, steam pouring from the sewers. Charlie's world is hopefully unlike any we have seen. The man is filled with a simmering rage resulting from an incident about which we gain a brief hint early on, as he recalls the pleas of a bloodied dying person, the victim of a homophobic beating. Though Shear keeps us wondering how the pieces fit, we soon discover that Charlie's companion Chris (Matt Keeslar) is the unhappy victim of a hate crime and that Charlie is intent on restoring his peace of mind while at the same time he combs the area looking for distractions.
As he wanders about the town, through hidden tunnels and a neighborhood bar like a landlubbing ancient mariner, he runs into a number of people, each with a story to tell. Some are old friends, such as Brett (Alan Cumming), a friend whose sensuous eyes reveal the ardor he feels for the young man, while a far different sort is a stuttering homeless man, Bill, (Lothaire Bluteau), whom Charlie treats compassionately as though he were chatting with a pet.
After allowing us to eavesdrop into a host of stories by diverse people including a friendly bartender, a ditzy blonde who has established a relationship with a man Charlie knows, Shear gets down to business in the final segment as the film turns raw and pungent. Charlie ultimately meets and toys with the man whom he believes responsible for his torment and, after meting out justice has a final reunion with the object of his passion.
"Urbania," which was featured at Sundance and later at the GenArts festival, demands our attention in every scene, forcing us to suspend not so much our disbelief but our urge for immediate gratification. Shear takes his time in putting the segments of Charlie's trauma together but once done, we witness the appropriate cathartic touch. Our patience is rewarded as we are convinced that this likeable fellow is able to get wholly in touch with his remorse and to take action to rehabilitate himself and shuck off the anxiety that wears him down.
Rated R. Running Time: 107 minutes. (C) 2000 Harvey Karten, film_critic@compuserve.com
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