Rhinoceros Eyes (2003) User Reviews

Bizarre and funny

[slake09 · 7/10 · 1 October 2006]

The movie follows a young man who lives in a prop store; he is the one who goes to fetch every obscure prop that a film maker or theater worker could want. From the first minute, strange props are being requested and our protagonist knows exactly where each one is in the store. His employers are a crew of misfits and hangers on who don't seem to find any of it strange, even when a detective shows up to investigate the theft of odd props; the thought that a real policeman would waste his time looking for these worthless items is a laugh in itself.

In any case, the film is funny in that bizarre, otherworldly type of way. It's not the normal comedy, that's for sure. No one in the movie has a normal reaction to anything, and predictability is thrown out the window. You never know where this will go next, from talking dolls to fanboy detectives, strangeness is the word of the day.

It all hangs together, from one scene to the next, without losing it's basic deadpan portrayal. None of the characters see anything strange going on, and that's one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.

If you like your comedy bizarre, this one's for you. Fans of Fargo, Svidd Neger, any of the Kaurismaki movies, or cult films like Repo Man will enjoy this.

A Wonderful Surprise!

[wednes · 19 October 2003]

Having just seen Rhinoceros Eyes, I want to tell fans of indie drama and horror to run, not walk to see this film if it comes anywhere near your town!

The film is a coming of age story about Chep (Michael Pitt), a reclusive young man with an unfortunate past, living in a prop shop...and in a fantasy world fueled by cinema and the props he surrounds himself with. Supporting characters include his boss (Matt Servitto of Sopranos fame), his love interest, and "the cop". Interesting characters float in and out of the story in a way that never fails to entertain and disturb.

I was reminded of films like Donnie Darko, and Repulsion; but Rhinoceros Eyes is its own entity. It is a creepy and frightening as it is funny and quirky. This film has some excellent camera work, and plenty of the symbolism indie film fans love to talk about afterwards. While the FX are reminicent of 70's childrens shows, this film is chilling, disturbing and fascinating all at once.

Maybe I should say it again, See This Film!

Horrible Horror

[michael-ratcliffe · 1/10 · 18 April 2006]

I know that Canadian cinema is noted for its contributions to the Horror genre but this is horrible horror. Don't waste your time.

I had to write 10 lines of commentary to get this comment published. So I am going to fill up 10 lines of commentary to comment on this film. I do this so that I can get my 10 lines published because they won't publish it unless I submit 10 lines of commentary for publication. So here I am writing the 10 lines they demand before I can get it published. Once it is published you will read it. Once you have read it, you will understand. You will understand how boring and pointless this exercise was. And you will have some idea akin to just how horrible and boring this horror flick was. Get it! sorry to have had to waste your time.

quirky movie

[bksbracelet · 8/10 · 1 March 2005]

I took time out from university and work and made a special journey to see this movie. I chose it as it had Gale Harold in the cast. I went to the movie expecting it to be boring when Gale Harold was not on the screen. This aside I was pleasantly surprised, the acting talent put in by lead character Michael Pitt definitely kept my interest. The shyness bordering on mental health issues this character explores showed real growth through the film, as he dealt with each character through the story. This film to me has that quirky feeling about it like Edward scissorhands or Fried GreenTomatoes. I felt it did round out nicely. I think its worth a look Cheers Chris

Visually unique and fun

[SheBear · 10/10 · 29 April 2004]

From the first frame to the last I was completely caught up in the unique visual world created by first time director Aaron Woodley. The dark, cluttered prop house where the majority of the film takes place is a nostalgic and otherworldly cave of magic and threat. It is the home to childlike Chep, an employee who rarely leaves except to immerse himself in old films at the local cinema. When a production designer named Fran enters the prop house looking for a pair of genuine rhinoceros eyes, Chep is instantly smitten.

This film is rich in mood and atmosphere. It also has some great laughs and offbeat characters that are genuinely intriguing and not just annoyingly "quirky". The film is amazing to look at and there is even some creepy stop animation. But it is Chep who is the heart and soul of the film. Proving that he is more than just a pretty face, Michael Pitt delivers a heart breaking performance as the sweet and self conscious, reclusive who becomes increasingly desperate to please Fran and increasingly delusional about the nature of their relationship.

Being cool, funny, creepy and touching all at once can't be easy but Rhinoceros Eyes is all of those things and more - a cult classic for the future.

My full review.

[djapril22 · 25 February 2004]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally sat down in the theatre for a screening of Aaron Woodley's directorial debut, Rhinoceros Eyes. Of course, the motivating factor behind me trying so damn hard to see this film was of course the fact that two of my favourite actors (Gale Harold as Detective Phil Barbara, and Michael Pitt as Chep) had big roles. Oh, and I was pretty impressed by the fact that Woodley is the nephew of the always fabulous Canadian director David Cronenberg (Crash, eXistenZ, Spider). I was almost certain I'd be in for something.not quite normal.

I found myself totally engaged in the story throughout. The irony of that fact that it was a film about a kid living in a movie prop house pretty much intrigued me right away. Of course without great character development and interaction the film would start to lose me; however, that never happened.

The film was essentially a well thought out mixture of comedy and horror. Woodley's satirical version of a common thriller worked well, since the audience seemed to be laughing at all the appropriate cues - a random naked man running across the screen and knocking over Pitt's character, the irony of Detective Barbara fawning over an old movie prop when the evidence of the crime he is investigating is right in front of him, the awkwardness of Chep and his ongoing murmuring to himself.the list goes on.

Michael Pitt delivered an astounding performance as the self-loathing orphan Chep- the boy who lived in a movie prop house- a reclusive character with little to no social skills, who embarks on a journey to find love by committing a streak of ridiculous crimes to please his love interest (Paige Turco as Fran).

As an art director, Fran is obsessed with the authenticity of her props. Enamored by her, Chep is willing to do whatever it takes to get these authentic props for her. On a side-note, I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Fran's obsession with authenticity in her props completely conflicts with her working in an industry where everything is fabricated or fake.

Chep continues to succeed in finding Fran her props, even though Detective Barbara appears to be hot on his trails. Gale Harold manages to pull off the imprudent character of Detective Phil Barbara seamlessly. His performance was both engaging and funny, as he used facial expression, body language and tone of voice to make the audience believe in the hilarity of his character. Oh and his little dance number near the end kept a wide smile glued on my face.

Small things I should mention - the fact that the film was shot entirely on High-Definition Digital Video, a format that hasn't evolved into the rich qualities of 35mm film yet. Woodley manages to pull off rich colours and tons of shadowy scenes loaded with contrast, even with the limitations of the format. Also, instead of adding in CGI characters to represent Chep's delusions, stop-motion animation was used, which gave them a more authentic feel. The weird characters created by Chep's mind that came to life actually looked like they were made from real objects. not a computerized creation.

I found that near the end of the film, it started to become difficult to decipher whether or not we were trapped inside the fantastical mind of Chep, or if we were witnessing what was actually happening. Also, there were some unanswered holes in the plot.which left it all open for me interpret. Which, I did.

But I'm not letting on what I personally gathered from the film, I strongly suggest you try and see it yourself.

A Brilliant and Engaging Film!

[falcopilot · 10/10 · 3 November 2003]

Rhinoceros Eyes is stunningly original and beyond creative. I found it hilarious, frightening and breathtakingly beautiful all at once. Aaron Woodley is a rare Canadian talent who has a voice of his own and is not afraid of taking chances. It was one of my favourite films of the Toronto International Film Festival -- the Discovery Award was truly deserved! If you ever get a chance to see this film, you will not be disappointed.

Now that its on DVD, see it and judge for yourself

[ennuiblu · 8/10 · 23 August 2006]

It is totally possible that I am not as gifted as others at analyzing films. I am certainly no critic, simply a chick who loves the movies. Personally, I enjoyed this one. It was dark, strange and surprisingly sweet. I won't pretend to be Ebert or the other guy by commenting on various camera angles, lighting choices, plot development or editing. I can only say that I was completely engaged in the story, genuinely concerned for the main character, and disturbed (in a good way) by the strange animation.

I enjoyed it, you may not. Since its finally available on DVD from amazon.ca why not pick it up, watch it and judge for yourself? Don't go by what a bunch of people (including yours truly) with too much time on their hands have to say.

Big-time eye candy.

[onenunandapackmule · 16 March 2004]

I see TONS of films, and I can honestly say that Rhinoceros Eyes is one of the most visually stirring movies I've seen in a long, long time. Seriously, all the Hollywood crap with big explosions and massive effects has gotten so predictable and easy. There's no real creative direction behind any of it. Rhinoceros Eyes isn't like that at all. It's so carefully done. The Prophouse in this movie is like a "land of make-believe."

This loner kid Chep lives in a Prophouse. He falls obsessively in love with a woman. Soon thereafter, he starts with the conflicts of what do I have to do to win her?. The stop-motion animation in this hallucination scenes is AMAZING. And from that point on ... you're trapped between realities, and glued to the screen

All the characters are vivid and well-developed. Even the girl in the box-office, who has a crush on Chep is so carefully created and real ... right down to her lollypop. I can honestly say I've never seen anything like this movie since Mulholland drive. Unless you're actually like boy-meets-girl-boy-gets-girl movies and features that follows a formula, go see run away bride, if you want to see hip cool and mindful film where "boy-meets-girl" "boy-thinks-he-gets- girl"; "boy- gets-himself" you should see Rhino Eyes.

What I Thought

[badly_drawn_girl89 · 8/10 · 17 September 2006]

This movie is a definite psychological thriller. You really have to think about it. I just recently finished watching it and I thought that Michael Pitt's performance was classic. He did such a good job. Gale Harold as well made an amazing performance. Who knew that boy could dance? Although it's definitely a thinker and it's like you have to be in a certain mood to watch it, it's definitely worth the money. There's really not anything like it out there. One of a kind. The timing and the camera angles were perfect. It was clear and sharp. If you like thriller and suspense movies then this is one for you. It gets you to the point of confusion and wonder. Almost like as if you need to pay close attention or you'll miss it. I loved it and I think you will too.

Michael gives a haunting performance

[belladona39 · 10/10 · 5 April 2009]

I loved this movie. It is a dark comedy, quirky, strange and sometimes hilarious. A vastly underrated movie that should have been seen just like the actors are who are underrated talents: Michael Pitt and Gale Harold.

It is centered in a building that rents props to movies. Michael is naive young man who is mentally and emotionally crippled, considered by his boss, an "idiot savant." His obsession to please the pretty prop director to find the right props makes him lose his grip on reality and the props come alive. The character could have schizophrenia but that is not explored.

Michael never ceases to amaze me as an actor. I've seen his other movies and the characters are different from each other. He clearly has range as an actor.

There are parts that are hilarious like the owner of the prop house, obsessed over "guys dressed in monkey suits" who broke his arm in a fight. This movie reminds me of Donnie Darko but is not as dark and depressing. The ending is touching.

seriously cool and psyched out

[dogboyatlas · 12 March 2004]

This is a seriously cool psyched out movie. Like some hybrid of Cronenberg Lynch and.well someone else with a great sense of humor. As someone once said to Cronenberg `you gotta take this movie to a shrink'. Rhino eyes is a case in point. The film is almost like some kind of psychological case study. Theres Chep - his ego, alter ego and ID - Masks, talking animated objects, a can-can dancing geriatric amputee and men dressed as Gorillas .

Michael Pitt is totally captivating as Chep who practically lives in a prophouse, eats, drinks and sleeps the place. When femme fatale Fran enters his life and sends him on expeditions to get more strange props for her, he starts discovering as the audience that theres a dangerously fine line between what's real and what's not. Then a cop starts investigating and pushes the reality/fanasty factor to stratispheric heights.

The whole thing plays like some ironic version of Homers Odessey journeyed inwards into the workings of the mind.

Awesome. The cinematography is amazing and makes the whole fantasy/reality thing work on so many levels. If you liked Donnie Darko, you' love Rhino. Oh yeah, and it's funny funny. I said that already, right!!

So slow, but Michael Pitt is somewhat endearing

[ellew33 · 23 September 2003]

As one of the 6 films I had a chance to see at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival, it would have to be at the bottom of my list of recommendations. Slow doesn't begin to describe this somewhat "inspired" tale of a prop-shop worker named Chep (Pitt). Chep himself is a bit slow and experiencing some fantastical delusions. I felt like most of the movie, revolving around the search for some bizaar props, was filmed in ultra slo-mo. The dialouge was poorly timed, the acting was so muted it became painful (with the exception of supporting player Victor Ertmanis as "Sweets") to watch and the end so anti-climatic and directionless, I wondered how I would get those 90 minutes of my life back. I have read it compared to "Donnie Darko" and after seeing it, the only way that comparison works is that both carry a emotionally tortured lead characters. Pitt seems to summon more of a Giovanni Ribisi in "The Other Sister" (quietly endearing), than Jake Gyllenhaal in "Donnie Darko" (emotionally complex).

Without being to harsh, Paige Turco as the object of Chep's affections is a total casting zero. It's not terrible, but not memorable. Hopefully first time director Aaron Woodley will step back a bit from his attempts to be so "indie profound" in his next project.

ouch

[colcam · 10 May 2004]

I was looking forward to this feature, and I took time off work, headed out and fought traffic to get to see it on the big screen at Madstone-- as in Madstone Theaters, the exhibition arm of Madstone Films, which was responsible for Rhinoceros Eyes.

After watching it I came back and reread the comments and looked at the user votes again. Somehow these people must have seen a different item than the Rhinoceros Eyes I saw-- even though the cast and crew lists matched, the comments didn't jibe with what I saw. The clarity, content, and tonal range of the image was pathetic; what could have been an astounding set was crunched by some capture method or seriously degraded in post and turned into. . . into this, whatever it was. The lighting may have been some of the worst I have seen on a large screen, but even so, the image on the screen far outshone the story. At least, they called it a story, even though it was missing major elements, didn't really make sense, lacked continuity, refused to actually go anywhere, or come to a conclusion. One of the supporting characters seems to be smoking a lot of weed during this production; perhaps he was not the only one.

Maybe, just maybe we have a new generation of video only kids who don't know colors, or contrast ranges, the importance of a storyline-- a plot-- or any of the other things that make up a modern "movie." That is the only reason I can see anyone allowing the public to see this; the makers just don't know better.

This hurt. It comes off as a couple of kids, a camcorder, a great location, lousy lighting, half a story, and some actors who really, really tried.

The actors have my most profound sympathy. .