Ok, I just saw a fantastic film that I can't believe has evaded me for 5 years. It's called The Movie Hero, and it was amazing. Here are the basics:

 

Jeremy Sisto plays Blake, who knows that there is an audience watching the movie of his life. And who is the audience? You are, I am, we all are. Anyone who's watched the movie is Blake’s audience, and/or his love interest's audience. Most reviews of this film seem to go from the perspective that Blake 'imagines' he has an audience. But I think that's ludicrous. By the end, you have no doubt of the truth that Blake sees us.

 

Which is not to say he sees each of us individually, but he sees the collective existence of us. And he talks to us as well, taking us through a journey in his life. Along the way, he introduces us to the cast of his life. Some are cliche, but he acknowledges that. And while doing so, he acknowledges that in our life, we will meet people who fit stereotypes. It's just important to see them as individuals too.

 

While struggling to make certain people understand what he sees, he also faces the challenge of being labeled as delusional. Enter, Love Interest, Blake's court-appointed therapist. Her name is Elizabeth, but it takes a while for Blake to understand that he needs to stop thinking of her as just another character. Initially, you wonder how he can be so happy for some other power to choose the love of his life. The very fact that he addresses her as Love Interest, makes us doubt what he feels. But then you realize, that just because he saw her role in his film, doesn't change that he was crazy about her from the get go. He recognizes her as his love interest because he wants her to be. He feels something immediate and strong, love like in a movie, and that's how he knows who she's meant to be. It's not strictly because she's the most beautiful shrink ever.

 

Another fantastic thing about this movie is, not only do you love Blake and want him to find both the happiness and drama he wishes upon himself, but he cares about us too. We are also characters in his story. As the observer, we effect the observed. He reaches out to us, asks for our participation in his story, and tries to protect us from the Suspicious Character who would steal us away as he has stolen countless other audiences. At one point, he touches us, the light of our being haloing his hands, as he makes direct contact. He begs us to reveal our presence to others, to validate his insistence that we exist and he can see us. But even after he asks this of us, he instantly resigns himself. His eyes say what we wish we could convey, we would give him what he asked, if it was within our power. But we cannot choose how the story continues; we can only coast along by his side, offering our affection and appreciation.

 

The reviews I found for this movie are mixed. It's truly a love it or hate it film. But I have to wonder how anyone can not love it. Blake doesn't profess to be worthy of our attention. He is keenly aware that his life should offer no great dramatic meat for us to feed on. But, because he knows we're watching, he endeavors to entertain and connect to us. The fourth wall has been demolished in this film, and good riddance to it. I wish I could reach out and show everyone what Blake, and ultimately Elizabeth, sees. There's true beauty in striving to be the hero of your own story, and there can be beauty in being the audience of another's story as well.

 

Check this movie out, gentle readers. If you like reading what I write, I can't imagine you not loving this lovely little film.