I tried to come into this movie with an open mind and an open heart. I wanted to like this movie so much. I wanted to cheer for the counter culture, Northern California where it was shot and the truly inspirational improvisational genius that was Mr. Del Close.
About twenty minutes in I wanted to take my own life. I don't think a pound of weed would have helped that predicament.
There is probably just reasons why this movie was not released in the states until 1996 and has been lost for such a long period of time: It's bad. It's just really bad.
It's not because it was a roof raiser of sociology/political film making that would shake the United States to its core roots if it was shown. It was just bad. From the script, the cinematography, the costuming, the lighting, the sound all the way to its over the top drunken/stoned acting. Even the semi hard/soft sex scenes were so badly done...you would need help from a partner to get excited. A lot of help.
I see the goal: Let's bust open film making to its essential core. Lets deconstruct the idea of making films and screen writing into a possibly slightly improvised attempt. Let's mix era with present day! Let's go after the man! Let's celebrate personal freedom and the counter culture of our generation. Let's get naked! We got the woods, a train, a conductor who doesn't have a western costume wishing he was someplace else...chicks who want to have sex on film, tabs of acid and a camera!
It was done better with Easy Rider. A movie that says "This is what is happening *now*" Not a movie that screams "*How messed up can we get while not getting mud on a camera*"
If you look at any of the people who made it after this movie(without getting gangrenous limbs or an STD filming), they moved on to smarter, political and social material. I have always thought Mr. Close was a genius and I'm happy that he inspired so many great comedians in his day including The Upright Citizens Brigade.
I just can't like crap because I happen to like (as they say in Ed Wood) "Crap with a Star. In the case of Del: "Crap with an Improv Guru"
This poor, sad movie was not an examination of the entire 60's scene. At the very most I can give this movie: It is a full examination of young adults in 1968 who have no idea how to make a movie with the incredible fortune of having a really good music soundtrack. that is half a star. I would buy the music in a heartbeat.
This movie is indeed a cult classic. In the Glen or Glenda realm. It can easily be christened: "The Worst Counter-Culture Film Ever Made". That is the remaining star. People will rent "The Worst Counter-Culture Film Ever Made".
..."Head" is better than this. That is not saying much for "Gold"
