James Franco is Hollywood’s resident polymath. Actor, writer, poet, performance artist, filmmaker, you name it he’s done it. And whilst its nice that the droopy-eyed A-lister is trying his hand at a variety of different work, there was always the imminent danger of spreading himself too thin. High quantity tends to go hand in hand with low quality and unfortunately this is absolutely the case when casting a curious eye on the hulking calamity that is Maladies.
Franco, or the critics’ new favoured punchbag as some like to call him, hasn’t had the best Berlinale ever. His own foray into filmmaking in the form of Interior: Leather Bar was massacred by local and global press alike at both Sundance and Berlinale 2013. Whether this is a justified reaction remains arguable (I haven’t had the opportunity to clap eyes on it yet, not that the urge is particular strong after its initial reception). And Maladies does little to salvage anything from Franco’s charred career.
Helmed by artist Carter, the film is a pointless exercise in the absurd. Following the hijinks and ‘quirky’ existences of a bizarre pseudo-family unit, the film attempts to display a study of art and the human condition. Forgive me, the word ‘following’ exudes the impression that Maladies actually has a plot. It does not. Instead it rambles nonsensically about… not much at all. In fact, just how Carter managed to pull together such an impressive cast including the likes of David Strathairn, Catherine Keener and Alan Cummings is completely beyond me and any other poor soul that has had to endure its gibberish. Franco has less of an excuse, having worked with Carter before on a piece of performance art where the actor recreated every screen appearance he’s done thus far. And Maladies continues this unnerving, tainted obsession with all things Franco.
Don’t worry dear reader, extensive exposure to similar pieces of inexplicable ‘art’ can only lead to one sensible solution. The key is not to react. Reacting only reinstates it further as a piece of art, and I fear I’ve already reacted enough in the sentences above. All you need know is: AVOID WITH A LARGE BARGE-POLE.
Writer/Director: Carter
Actors: James Franco, Catherine Keener, David Strathairn
Release Date: TBC
Rating: 2/10
Popcorn Ramblings 