Last Days- Theater (Cannes)

Last Days (2005), Dir. Gus Van Sant

First of all, what is the big deal with Kurt Cobain? Sure, I liked the music, but he was definitely no Jimi Hendrix or Hunter S. Thompson. He was just a rocker on too much shit. So, as a corollary to that belief, why would anyone want to make a film based on the few last drug-tripping days of Cobain and his friends? Answer: Gus Van Sant.

It seems that he has the belief that he can connect with the kids by making films about stuff they care about. Well, perhaps he can, but this film left me with one thought. So What? While I recognize that Van Sant definitely has a way with the camera, his subject leaves something to be desired. There was shot after beautiful shot, with thoughtful camera movements, beautiful color; all carefully composed to create a mood that would previal for the majority of the film. However, the mumbled ramblings of a guy on a heroin bender (translated with French subtitles), the making of mac and cheese, and the blind adoration of young gay friends (also on heroin bender) really just leaves me cold.

The end result is a somber film that just seems to pander to a group of groupies, and elevates an average man to the status of hero and martyr. I would have liked to see more stuff outside the circle of kids; like who was the woman who randomly shows up at the house and begs him to come with her? Van Sant offers no explanation as to who this woman is supposed to be. Is she a wife? Sister? Friend? Agent? Or are we supposed to be experiencing the drug induced confusion of the protagonist?

What I'd really like to see is a film by Van Sant with some sort of interesting story. Once he can get that down, pair it with his talent for wonderful composition, and stop making some silly attempt to give the kids what they want, THEN maybe he'll have something amazing on his hands.