Roxie

I enjoyed this film because it touched on the universal theme of aging, and how baby-boomers, living in a 21st century reality; internalize the yearning to be young again. As unrealistic as that sounds, what ends will we go to recapture our youth? Where do we find love in a plastic world of sexual ambiguities? David Usner and Joel Roth (Dave & Joel) speak to this in their heartfelt aspirations to self-actualize as if they had just turned 21. With all the turns & twists, dealing with rejection, false hopes and lost dreams, Dave coming home to an empty house, falling in love with a prostitute, experimenting with drugs, this story could easily appeal across age group demographics. I did feel that the opening music represented the chaotic aspects of life rather than the driving force that keeps us relentlessly searching for some meaning in our lives… some hard beat to dance to. I would rather have heard a crisp score from a Dave Brubeck piece. But in spite of that, the film regained its momentum as two men in their 60's, in the face of existential aloneness and isolation; embark upon experiential escapades, both humorous and sad, as they attempt to drink from the fountain of youth. This film is more about, "Come on baby light my fire" than it is about the walking dead. Old or young, this is a film to enjoy.

Not such a good movie as the other reviews would have you believe. Not such a bad movie either.

Two old farts - Dave & Joel - run a family/marriage therapy practice. Both Dave & Joel suffer broken marriage and dysfunctional family issues. A classic case of the therapist needing therapy.

Dave is a successful writer on bringing romance back into a marriage and he and Joel are giving a presentation at a conference in San Francisco. While there they decide to use a call-girl service. Dave is an old hand at this but Joel is new and apprehensive about this game. Dave's call girl experience is a disaster while Joel's call girl experience fulfills his greatest fantasy.

This is where Roxie comes into he story!!! If you care to know why the movie is titled "Roxie" give it a look.

Roxie is about humanity's eternal ability to fall in love and to experience the joys and horrors of that magical state. The movie follows with pathos the problems of mature men and women and also of a hooker caught in the tragedy of her own hurtful game. As a person "of a certain age," I loved seeing excellent actors of my own generation (as well as young people) on the screen, depicting the dilemmas we can face. The film is funny, riveting, surprising and sad. My husband, who is a devoted movie buff is also a brutal critic. If a movie is dull or flags even for a bit, he instantly falls asleep. He was awake for every moment of Roxie which we saw at San Francisco's Sanford Meisner Film Festival. This movie is an original. You WANT to see it.

First I checked the reviews. Wow . . . ALL good.

So, then I watched the film.

Well, clearly this first part is a joke, I thought. Some stylistic extreme used to set up a premise. But it kept on. With the same people and the same absolutely ATROCIOUS acting. And, lest we place the entire burden on those hapless people . . . though they do deserve a good portion 'cause they are AWFUL . . . the directing was also truly awful.

Wait . . . what? . . . I checked the reviews again . . . did I miss something? Were the 'Bad' reviews somehow in some other place? Nope. None.

So, back I went for long enough to appreciate fully the silliness of the writing. It's lack of depth, intelligence . . . for that matter: sense.

I gave it about thirty minutes and then I got it. This is A BAD BAD movie. Oh, I thought, WHY DIDN'T ANYONE WARN ME? Oh well, off to another film tra la . . . but this crapper, 'Roxie,' this one kept nagging at me. I kept worrying about poor unwarned you, about to fall into the trap of NO WARNING, as had I.

Sigh, I thought, I don't wanna write a review 'cause IMDb MAKES me write ten lines and all I have is one: 'THIS STINKS!' So, no, I'm not gonna bother, I decided and Off I went again to that other film tra la. STILL, you - poor unwarned you - pulled at me and I thought, oh ****, I can do it. I can come up with ten lines about what a waste of time this crapper is.

AND, I think I have.

Don't bother with 'Roxie,' it is unbelievably awful. You're welcome.

Roxie is a bold, independent, and unbridled exploration of some restless characters cajoling each other into increasingly sticky situations, often with hilarious results, and always with raw emotion bubbling to the surface. I literally laughed out loud more while watching this film than any in recent memory, which was partly do to the acting, and partly a result of situations that just devolve into really unexpected depths.

This D.I.Y., micro-budget film displays a labor of love and devotion from those who made and starred in it. What a treat to watch such honest human portrayals on the screen. And there is nothing funnier than the scene by the fire pit. Not to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that it's just something we don't get to see in many (if any) films! In fact, I can't compare this to any other movie I've seen, as it strikes me as so unique. It succeeds in boldly going where other's dare not tread: the land, mind, and restless yearnings of these aging, balding, professional men; respected in their filed, and yet deplorably human when the public veneer is shed. And it must be said as well that the girls with whom they involve themselves are brilliant characters in their own right, who certainly elevate the work with their sultry performances.

Bravo Roxie! Must be seen to be believed. Really special piece of film. Enjoy.