:
Channing Tatum,
Channing Tatum,
Johnny Vasquez,
more...
:
Barbara Kopple,
Barbara Kopple
see all cast/crew...
: Not Rated
: New Line Home Video
: 92 min.
: English
: English, Spanish
see additional details...
|
|
A pair of naïve young girls learn that even the most insignificant actions can have lasting consequences in this music-driven take on teen culture starring Anne Hathaway and Bijou Phillips and directed by two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple. Influenced by the hip-hop thug lifestyle and seeking to explore life outside of their insulated, culturally homogenized suburb, pretty young teenagers Allison (Hathaway) and Emily (Phillips) set their sights on East L.A. to experience the "gangsta" lifestyle firsthand. By the time the pair meet some true-life Latino gang-bangers and realize just how far out of their element they really are, it may already be too late to turn back. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
|
| Havoc, Indeed
by talltale
December 11, 2005 - 8:10 AM PST
|
|
|
4 out of 5 members found this review helpful
|
You know how, sometimes, a new film will bypass theatrical distribution and move directly to video? Or worse, directly to some cable movie channel for little-seen, late-night viewing? Once in awhile, the reason may be that the film in question is too unusual, surprising, or out-and-out brilliant to be properly understood by the industry "suits" who make these decisions. Unexpectedly, the suits got it right with HAVOC, which should have gone directly to some recycling bin.
This is shocking when you consider that the movie was directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Barbara Kopple ("Harlan County USA," "American Dream") and written by Stephan Gaghan ("Traffic" and "Syriana"). Talk about provenance (and then the pointlessness of provenance)! The movie attempts to address Southern California life in moneyed Pacific Palisades and poverty-ed east L.A., but gets everything wrong about the clash of culture, economics and character. Gosh, even "Crazy/Beautiful" captured this better. "Havoc" is SO bad--so stupidly imagined, written and directed--that it occasionally recalls "Showgirls," but without quite the requisite level of "camp" to push it over the top and into idiot greatness.
The performers all try hard (you can often see the sweat), but under the Sisyphus-ian rock provided by writer and director, all is lost. Clearly, Anne Hathaway is attempting to dump her goodie-two-shoes "Princess Diary" image, but even in that film she came across as older than her years. Here, she gets to show off her erect nipples but still looks like Hollywood's typical 30-year-old, would-be high school student. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, so brilliant in "Mysterious Skin," is lost behind his whiskers and drugged-out attitude. The only actor who seems remotely real is Matt O'Leary (from "Warm Springs") as the videographer. This is indeed one for the books, so you will be tempted to try it. Post-viewing (if you manage to finish the film), don't complain that you hadn't been warned. |
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.40)
15 Votes
add to list 
|
|
|
Your cart
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.