# Hurlyburly (1998)

### reviewed by
Mac VerStandig

    Hurlyburly
    4 Stars (Out of 4)
    Reviewed by Mac VerStandig
    Critic@Moviereviews.org
    Http://www.moviereviews.org

Hurlyburly is an incredibly and frighteningly dark film. Although it is filled with a very cynical and sarcastic humor as well, the movie itself is shocking, disturbingly blunt and often hard to watch. And yet, awful as it may sound; that is the beauty behind this film and the aspect of this films that makes it the most dramatically surprising independent film since Larry Clark showed us Kids in 1995. Fortunately for Hurlyburly there is more hope for success and recognition, due to a grade A cast, than the truly underground Kids could have ever dreamed of.

Hurlyburly is such an outrageously tense film that it could very easily make par without a plot. And it does for the most part. There is neither a central goal that the characters in this film pursue nor a subject matter that occupies the majority of the movie. What there is instead is a tense character study of 4 men, an exotic dancer, a runaway girl and a non-central female figure who exists as more of a presence that affects the other 6 people than a character herself.

Eddie (Academy Award Nominee Sean Penn), Mickey (Academy Award Winner Kevin Spacey) and Phil (Academy Award Nominee Chazz Palminteri) are roommates in the town of Hurlyburly, outside of LA. They all share a common degree of sexual disparity as well as what appears to be some very expensive drug habits. Cocaine is breakfast, nights are undefined and work is just a brief phase in their day to day lives. Whether this is a bond formed by 3 incredibly unusual, yet undoubtedly real people, or a force of separation, is for you to judge.

The common "friend" of this trio is Artie (Golden Globe and Emmy Nominee Garry Shandling). However his presence is so common among the 3, that his character develops and exists as a 4th male figure only separated by the absence of sexual urge. He introduces Donna (Academy Award Winner Anna Paquin) to the group of 3. She is a runaway who claims to have hitchhiked her way to LA and then established residence in an elevator. She is eventually picked up by Artie and is given to the trio as a "care package" to engage in sexual behavior with when and how they wish. Odd a thing as that may sound, it seems like just another every day occurrence when put in this incredibly complex and equally warped film.

Then there is Bonnie (Golden Globe Nominee Meg Ryan) who is a friend of the group. She is one of the most intriguing parts of this film because she is the only adult female that a complex examination is performed on. This film puts her under a microscope of types and examines her every move, revealing an odd and sad life that is totally missed when just looked upon from the surface. Her interactions with the group of male characters are incredibly complicated and must be closely examined for the rich symbolism to appear.

When put together, these characters create a dramatically diverse and frightening film. Without the great acting by every member of this 7-person cast, the movie would be a failure. But the award-winning actors get it done, and they do so in style. Everyone involved with this film deserves yet another award to his or her name for their performance, and no one is more so deserving than Sean Penn. In the lead role he is absolutely amazing.

When combined, all these elements make what is one of the best films of the year, and perhaps the finest ensemble acting since the 1983 hit, The Big Chill. And yet it is such a deeper and more shocking film. Everyone who sees Hurlyburly will be stunned. When leaving this film there is an effect that is almost indescribable, but it is a force that the material you just saw lays upon you, and it grasps you and forces it's way into you. Perhaps it will stay the forever, I certainly hope so, as I wouldn't want to part with this film anytime soon.

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