This must have been an immensely enjoyable film to make, once they'd worked out what piece of cinema or film they were actually trying to conjure - a little bit all over the place, to say the least, but as original a proposition as you've likely encountered for some time - with the main premise established on cultural prejudice and discrimination to difference. It uses those who lack the symmetry of societal expectations of beauty, by several standard deviations in this case, to reaffirm that differences are only skin deep but those physical attributes are shackled to the individuals psychology, as well as societal norms, whose end result is to imprison them without bars for most, if not all of their lives - akin to living in an open prison or asylum for a crime or crimes you didn't commit.
14 Reviews
ending confuses
SnoopyStyle29 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Mabel (Jess Weixler) is an actress filming on location. Her director had lived with a circus and has hired a bunch of circus freaks for his movie. The lead actor Rosenthal (Adam Pearson) has a badly disfigured face. Mabel and Rosenthal develop a relationship as they work together on the film set.
The theme from the opening text is the advantages of the beautiful over the lesser endowed. I always like Weixler as an actress and I like her relationship with Rosenthal. I like the acid twist and turning the table on the premise. The ending is a head-scratching. Instead of moving forward with the acid, it does something else. I'm not sure if they're dumping the acid incident. I'm not sure if it's a flashback. The ending doesn't give an ending for their relationship which is its biggest problem. This is a beauty and the beast situation. It seems to be going somewhere interesting with the premise. The ending confuses more than illuminates.
The theme from the opening text is the advantages of the beautiful over the lesser endowed. I always like Weixler as an actress and I like her relationship with Rosenthal. I like the acid twist and turning the table on the premise. The ending is a head-scratching. Instead of moving forward with the acid, it does something else. I'm not sure if they're dumping the acid incident. I'm not sure if it's a flashback. The ending doesn't give an ending for their relationship which is its biggest problem. This is a beauty and the beast situation. It seems to be going somewhere interesting with the premise. The ending confuses more than illuminates.
Everyone is chained to something.
JoshuaDysart20 September 2019
The uniqueness of normality. The beauty of authenticity. The illusiveness of abnormality. The uncomfortable act of being seen. The ugly act of being ignored. The horror of theatricality. The truth of fiction. The monstrous clarity of objectification. The innate naturalism of aberration.
The least democratic thing in our society is how attractive others find us.
This movie is a subtly unfolding, intentionally clumsily-forged, plasticine act of dreamlike kindnesses and social inhumanity.
The mostly unseen Herr Director of the movie-within-the-movie, Warner Herzog-esque in his rhetoric but Uwe Bollian in his craft, is a huge delight. And Jess Weixler does her best young Drew Barrymore at first, but arcs towards being herself as the film unclenches in its formalism.
I also like how this movie opens by highlighting one of the multitude of ridiculous Ayn Randian comments that hack Pauline Kael slung in the name of film criticism.
The least democratic thing in our society is how attractive others find us.
This movie is a subtly unfolding, intentionally clumsily-forged, plasticine act of dreamlike kindnesses and social inhumanity.
The mostly unseen Herr Director of the movie-within-the-movie, Warner Herzog-esque in his rhetoric but Uwe Bollian in his craft, is a huge delight. And Jess Weixler does her best young Drew Barrymore at first, but arcs towards being herself as the film unclenches in its formalism.
I also like how this movie opens by highlighting one of the multitude of ridiculous Ayn Randian comments that hack Pauline Kael slung in the name of film criticism.
Wow
dionnewray-9866926 March 2019
All I can say is Jess Wexler is an absolute revelation. I was so lucky to catch this at NOLAFF and I was blown away. If you have no idea what the film is about please just just take my advice and give it a chance you will not regret it!
Feeling Pretty
westsideschl15 April 2021
A movie about making a movie, and more.
One of our two main characters has the genetic disorder - neurofibromatosis. So, kudos to both, Pearson & Weixler, for their commitment & skill in presenting a thoughtful script.
Movie statements: "Disfigurement - they taunt me and beg me to show my face. Only so that when I do, they turn away in horror." "Do we long for beauty because we seek order & symmetry?"
MY thoughts: One thematic goal was reducing stereotyping in film. Another theme was - should a disabled or disfigured character be played by a non ... Yet, oddly, in this film, the Siamese twins portrayed were not joined; just twins. Another theme - is it vanity putting on make-up to feel pretty? Still another (and I really question) - "Actors that are beautiful have a greater range of expressiveness which gives them more opportunities, and we love to look at them."
One of our two main characters has the genetic disorder - neurofibromatosis. So, kudos to both, Pearson & Weixler, for their commitment & skill in presenting a thoughtful script.
Movie statements: "Disfigurement - they taunt me and beg me to show my face. Only so that when I do, they turn away in horror." "Do we long for beauty because we seek order & symmetry?"
MY thoughts: One thematic goal was reducing stereotyping in film. Another theme was - should a disabled or disfigured character be played by a non ... Yet, oddly, in this film, the Siamese twins portrayed were not joined; just twins. Another theme - is it vanity putting on make-up to feel pretty? Still another (and I really question) - "Actors that are beautiful have a greater range of expressiveness which gives them more opportunities, and we love to look at them."
This Movie Isn't Good.
whitey-5286315 December 2019
Besides the tremendous performance from Jess Weixler this film is absolutely atrocious. It was all over the place and made no sense whatsoever. I was completely lost and had no idea what was going on the entire film. I still don't know what the hell I just watched. Would not recommend.
as engrossing as disturbing
Henry_Seggerman26 April 2020
In the eye of the beholder
a_nella5 March 2020
A unique film that acts to comment and critique the audiences biases. Technically speaking the film is excellent, with unique shots that fulfill a larger purpose. They didn't film a scene a specific way because it looked good, but because it fit the narrative, or was trying to make the audience as uncomfortable as the actors.
The story is simple and i was there was more meat on the bone, at points it felt like it drifted off focus, and the conclusion felt rushed and underdeveloped. Ultimately the film acts to break down and critique how "abnormal" people are viewed by society and treated in the film industry. It does an excellent job directing this message to the audience, if you pay attention you will understand what the director is saying about our behaviour towards the "abnormal".
Unfortunately i think the movie was held back by some unconvincing performances by Jess Weixler and Stephen Plunkett. Their dialogue felt unnatural and as if they were reading directly off a script. Every other actor did a fine job, especially Adam Pearson, who delivered a stunningly charged performance during a car scene in particular (no spoiler).
I would recommend this film to anyone interested , it could challenge your world view.
The story is simple and i was there was more meat on the bone, at points it felt like it drifted off focus, and the conclusion felt rushed and underdeveloped. Ultimately the film acts to break down and critique how "abnormal" people are viewed by society and treated in the film industry. It does an excellent job directing this message to the audience, if you pay attention you will understand what the director is saying about our behaviour towards the "abnormal".
Unfortunately i think the movie was held back by some unconvincing performances by Jess Weixler and Stephen Plunkett. Their dialogue felt unnatural and as if they were reading directly off a script. Every other actor did a fine job, especially Adam Pearson, who delivered a stunningly charged performance during a car scene in particular (no spoiler).
I would recommend this film to anyone interested , it could challenge your world view.
An amazing cinematic experience
sbabajim22 May 2020
I am so glad that I watched this movie. What a great piece of cinema! Great writing, great cinematography, great acting, great concept that works on many levels. It is a very dense movie (and so... meta as some other reviewers have mentioned) if you really want to spend time thinking about it (it's 2 days now and it's still in my head), but it is also a very light movie if you just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. It's funny, witty, inventive. No words to describe it. This movie deserves so much attention; I really hope that it gets access to a wide audience. I can't praise it enough.
The movie is art lovers foremost.
glazedadvances26 February 2020
One review had remarked on the movie being a puzzler about many layers of frames competing. I think the meta-cleverness of the movie being within layers upon layers makes it hard to watch, but that it also resonates long after in the same way Memento does. You have to really think about how it all fits together and what it is saying.
Splendiferous.
nettowise27 August 2020
'Chained for Life' is bound to beguile any sensation-seeking fan of exquisitely wrought cinematic wonder!
Weirdling_Wolf16 November 2021
I had the extraordinarily good fortune to recently watch Aaron Schimberg's unexpectedly fabulous, darkly mesmerising psychodrama 'Chained for Life' (2018),and it most certainly won't be the last time I return to this ceaselessly dazzling kaleidoscope of bravura fascinating originality! 'Chained for Life' boasts a really lovely, ornate, sparklingly original premise, a richly woven text, withering pathos, wonderfully sardonic performances, and a deliciously irreverent tone that make this devilishly clever oddity a sensationally convention-boggling delight from its enigmatic start to breathlessly brilliant finish! For me, maestro Schimberg's emotionally edifying, tantalizingly transgressive 'Chained for Life' is one of those all-too rare, blissfully unclassifiable films that one should ideally go into totally blind; keeping dem voyeuristic peepers open once the movie starts, natch!!!! But I just have to say, the Werner Herzog-sounding director was a genuinely exquisite touch! The multi-faceted, persistently perspicacious phantasmagoria 'Chained for Life' is bound to beguile any innately curious, sensation-seeking fan of exquisitely wrought,insightfully humane, refreshingly cliche free cinematic wonder!
splendid and difficult film
christopher-underwood8 December 2023
'Actors and actresses are usually more beautiful than ordinary people....it is a supreme asset...because we love to look at them.' Pauline Kael's quote comes after Bonnie and Clyde (1967) because she is unhappy that the sexy violence is justifying it. Now it takes us further with this film we are obliged to look more at everyone. Chained for Life (1952) was an exploitation film about the real conjoined twins of Daisy and Violet Hilton. Aaron Schimberg takes his new one with the same title but instead of the 'Siamese Twins' he takes us to Adam Pearson who really has the genetic condition and we saw him in Under the Skin (2013) although he was also on many TV programmes. It is a rather splendid and difficult film within a film and relates to the previous film that we have to really look at others. We can consider listening to people is just as important as looking. We can commend Jess Weixler's performance as outstanding.
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