The film "Disquiet," by Matthew Doyle, is a rare piece of work. It is most definitely a micro-budget film and there are some problems with the production value such as visual inconsistency and rather poor sound production, however, the film is rare in that is perhaps the most effective, interesting, intelligent, and eerie low-budget film I have seen since Pi. The story is about a young man named Darren who works at a car dealership and on the surface, lives a rather mundane and uninteresting existence. However, Darren is far from uninteresting and is rife with inner struggle. Darren is a writer. He is young, quiet, and observant. He watches everyone around him and studies them. He is unable to understand or see any tangible evidence of what makes humans do what they do and live how they live. He simply feels he does not comprehend the actions of others, which I believe, hinders Darren at also understanding himself and his own purpose in existence. Therefore, Darren begins a very voyeuristic and intrusive experiment on a fellow co-worker and his family, to try and quell his inner struggle. Darren's life is one of almost complete isolation, until he meets a new co-worker and fellow literature lover, Mason. Mason shows interest and gives feedback on Darren's novel in progress and Darren discloses to Mason part of his experiment. Later, Darren moves onto the final stages of his experiment and the film arrives at it's chilling climax. The finale of the film is so eerie, uncomfortable, and brilliant, it reaches levels of filmmakers like Michael Haneke, Claude Chabrol and Gaspar Noe. Filmmaker Matthew Doyle is smart and he understands how to build immeasurable tension. Additionally, he understands story progression that maintains theme and tone. His introduction and fleshing-out of characters is advanced and almost unseen in first time film-making. Like a grand short story, nothing in the film can be thrown away or dismissed. While watching the film, I felt that every shot and piece of dialog were representative of the story as a whole. The editing in the film is also amazing. It felt to me like elements of Fench New Wave and David Lynch films. The film's exploration of sex is also very interesting and well done. The sex was explored in a myriad of ways; realistically, romantically, and perversely. At the end of the film, Doyle forces the viewer to watch an uncompromising climax with a glorious long-take that is both courageous and effective. Additionally, I have not seen a filmmaker incorporate elements of his/her own affinity for film and personal fan views of film as cleverly and as engaging as Doyle does by cutting in his own old VHS footage of himself as a young boy into the film. Most directors try and do this in faux-witty dialog like the pompous Kevin Smith and it comes off as artificial. As a spectator, I am drawn to dark films that tend to make me uncomfortable and challenge my perceptions of society and that is what "Disquiet" succeeds at doing. If one is looking for something with more answers than questions, this may not be a film they would enjoy, but if you find more reward in works that provoke thought rather than offer up fallacious summations, this film is highly recommended. I very much look forward to more films from Matthew Doyle.
9 Reviews
A Very Well-Crafted Calm Scary Film
aa069728 October 2007
I truly enjoyed every minute of Disquiet at the Idaho Film Fest! Such a well-crafted calm scary film without annoying special effects or a really loud soundtrack is hard to find lately. Disquiet was very gritty, real and surprisingly void of blood for how scary it felt. In this film reality reigned and did not need to be suspended. Nothing was spelled out and my imagination ran wild with the story. Like Hitchcock, the unfolding of the plot kept me enthralled. From the car salesman and his flash backs to the odd behavior of the lead character in surreal sequences my brain was completely entertained. The haunting effect of Disquiet has been with me for weeks.
fascinating
ErikJones21 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
When I go to a film festival I want to see something that I haven't seen before. Sometimes the movies are good, sometimes not so good. What I hope for is a new experience that I can take with me when I leave the theater. "Disquiet" is the kind of movie I hope to see.
I saw "Disquiet" at the Idaho International Film Festival... twice. I went back for the second screening because the movie haunted me from the moment I left the theater through the next morning and I couldn't understand why.
The film is rather undefinable because there is virtually no plot. Everything that happens comes from the characters... and it is a movie that is about character.
The final scene had me squirming in my seat - even on the second screening when I knew what was going to happen. In an odd way I felt implicated in the act.
"Disquiet" is far from perfect, but I can chalk up many of its limitations on the apparent low budget and the fact that it was shot on video.
It is, however, completely original and thought provoking, which makes it more interesting than 99% of the films I've seen this year.
I saw "Disquiet" at the Idaho International Film Festival... twice. I went back for the second screening because the movie haunted me from the moment I left the theater through the next morning and I couldn't understand why.
The film is rather undefinable because there is virtually no plot. Everything that happens comes from the characters... and it is a movie that is about character.
The final scene had me squirming in my seat - even on the second screening when I knew what was going to happen. In an odd way I felt implicated in the act.
"Disquiet" is far from perfect, but I can chalk up many of its limitations on the apparent low budget and the fact that it was shot on video.
It is, however, completely original and thought provoking, which makes it more interesting than 99% of the films I've seen this year.
Film Fest Flop
DemeterCat22 October 2007
You always take a chance when you go to an unrated indie film. There's no one to ask if the film is epic, enigmatic, or just an utter waste of time. I love taking that risk and I usually end up with something to think and talk about even if it wasn't award-worthy.
Disquiet was the first movie I've seen at a film festival that fell into the "utter waste of time" category.
The movie was a waste of actors' talent (and I think there was some talent there), director's effort, writer's ink, and viewers' faith - faith that at the end of almost any movie there is some reward for time spent.
For me, it's like that time disappeared into a black hole. I've got nothing to show for it. It didn't have driving themes and motifs, complexity or controversy. The whole thing seems to sit on the fact that this character doesn't understand people or like himself so he does detestable things. That isn't a plot. It's barely a premise.
I don't call a movie interesting or controversial just because of nudity, sex, and masturbation. There's plenty of free porn on the internet if thats all I wanted. I was hoping for something to think about. Better luck next time.
Disquiet was the first movie I've seen at a film festival that fell into the "utter waste of time" category.
The movie was a waste of actors' talent (and I think there was some talent there), director's effort, writer's ink, and viewers' faith - faith that at the end of almost any movie there is some reward for time spent.
For me, it's like that time disappeared into a black hole. I've got nothing to show for it. It didn't have driving themes and motifs, complexity or controversy. The whole thing seems to sit on the fact that this character doesn't understand people or like himself so he does detestable things. That isn't a plot. It's barely a premise.
I don't call a movie interesting or controversial just because of nudity, sex, and masturbation. There's plenty of free porn on the internet if thats all I wanted. I was hoping for something to think about. Better luck next time.
The best laid plans of mice and men...
pinkactress8724 October 2007
I tried for an hour an a half to genuinely give this movie a chance. Yes, many movies have budget constraints and some of my favorite movies have poor audio/video quality but compelling content.
I must commend the movie-maker for having such lofty aims with the movie. If only he had hit the mark! This isn't a movie for everyone based simply on explicit content. This isn't a movie for anyone based on the poor development and stunted character growth.
I think that there were a lot of thematic elements that weren't fleshed out because of a lack of understanding on how to skillfully communicate with very little dialog. The style of the film is a difficult one and requires lucid visual portrayal. It just didn't happen.
I'll call this movie the best-intended but worst-produced film I've seen in a long time.
I must commend the movie-maker for having such lofty aims with the movie. If only he had hit the mark! This isn't a movie for everyone based simply on explicit content. This isn't a movie for anyone based on the poor development and stunted character growth.
I think that there were a lot of thematic elements that weren't fleshed out because of a lack of understanding on how to skillfully communicate with very little dialog. The style of the film is a difficult one and requires lucid visual portrayal. It just didn't happen.
I'll call this movie the best-intended but worst-produced film I've seen in a long time.
I don't want to be mean
MaryAnne_Elise18 October 2007
But there's no way around it. I hated Disquiet. I'm sure all the people who put their time and effort into this movie had great intentions, but they all fell flat.
The plot was kind of disturbing. In Mr. Brooks, the main character was scary and evil, but he was also human and vulnerable. In Disquiet, Darren doesn't connect. Attempts to make him vulnerable end up making him look pathetic. There is no character arch. He is creepy at the beginning, all throughout the film, and at the end.
On the upside, I thought the actor that played Darren had a nice face. I would see him in another movie if I got a chance.
The plot was kind of disturbing. In Mr. Brooks, the main character was scary and evil, but he was also human and vulnerable. In Disquiet, Darren doesn't connect. Attempts to make him vulnerable end up making him look pathetic. There is no character arch. He is creepy at the beginning, all throughout the film, and at the end.
On the upside, I thought the actor that played Darren had a nice face. I would see him in another movie if I got a chance.
Awkward and Uninspired
klynaerobinson16 October 2007
Take every standard that makes a good movie and run it in the opposite direction for 40 days and 40 nights and you still wouldn't have a movie this bad.
The quality of the film production was atrocious. I often couldn't understand the dialog. However, I'm not sure that was a loss. The dialog I did understand was uninspired, pouring out of the mouths of terrible actors playing characters that were not likable or relate-able by any stretch of the imagination. The plot was senseless and gave no resolution or justification for the vulgar, uncomfortable content.
I would recommend it if only because the ludicrous dialog is good for a laugh (my friend and I were doubled over in our seats), but most of the movie isn't funny-bad, its painful-bad. The occasional hilarious (albiet unintentional) moment is rare and surrounded by seeming millennia of awful movie-making.
Step aside Gigli! THIS is the worst movie ever made.
The quality of the film production was atrocious. I often couldn't understand the dialog. However, I'm not sure that was a loss. The dialog I did understand was uninspired, pouring out of the mouths of terrible actors playing characters that were not likable or relate-able by any stretch of the imagination. The plot was senseless and gave no resolution or justification for the vulgar, uncomfortable content.
I would recommend it if only because the ludicrous dialog is good for a laugh (my friend and I were doubled over in our seats), but most of the movie isn't funny-bad, its painful-bad. The occasional hilarious (albiet unintentional) moment is rare and surrounded by seeming millennia of awful movie-making.
Step aside Gigli! THIS is the worst movie ever made.
No Reason to "Get it"
c-bradleydavis26 October 2007
I guess it can be easy to try and poke fun at a low budget movie, but it's just as easy to say that's the reason people didn't like it, when it genuinely wasn't a good movie. Going into an indie movie, nobody's expecting anything stellar from the writing, acting or directing, even. Still, the standards by which you judge a good movie aren't changed.
The main problem I had with the movie wasn't that it was "unresolved"; in fact, I like unresolved movies, sometimes. They tend to be more engaging. The problem is that there wasn't anything to resolve. You can't be sure where the movie is headed. Maybe it's about privacy, or maybe it's about "alternate version of yourself" or different theories of time. Who knows? Neither the characters, nor the plot, were developed enough to see what needed to be resolved. By the end, the only thing one can hope for is that the movie will just stop and you can go home.
The main problem I had with the movie wasn't that it was "unresolved"; in fact, I like unresolved movies, sometimes. They tend to be more engaging. The problem is that there wasn't anything to resolve. You can't be sure where the movie is headed. Maybe it's about privacy, or maybe it's about "alternate version of yourself" or different theories of time. Who knows? Neither the characters, nor the plot, were developed enough to see what needed to be resolved. By the end, the only thing one can hope for is that the movie will just stop and you can go home.
Disquiet - a Disaster
norabona23 October 2007
I don't even know where to begin with this movie. There is not one redeeming quality about it, I kept thinking maybe I should just leave. But it was like a train wreck, I couldn't stop watching.
The film was obviously low-budget. Which might have been okay but even an low-budget film needs to reach a critical mass of quality - like being able to understand the actors. Whenever I could understand the actors, I wished that I couldn't as the dialog was unbelievable.
The characters were flat. The only two that were developed were Mason and Darren. The others might as well have been cardboard cut-outs for all the impact that they had. Mason and Darren weren't likable and I didn't sympathize with anything that they went through.
In the end, I wish I had thrown a fit and gotten my money back. I could have had twelve tacos with that money.
The film was obviously low-budget. Which might have been okay but even an low-budget film needs to reach a critical mass of quality - like being able to understand the actors. Whenever I could understand the actors, I wished that I couldn't as the dialog was unbelievable.
The characters were flat. The only two that were developed were Mason and Darren. The others might as well have been cardboard cut-outs for all the impact that they had. Mason and Darren weren't likable and I didn't sympathize with anything that they went through.
In the end, I wish I had thrown a fit and gotten my money back. I could have had twelve tacos with that money.
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