At first, this curious film, of magic-reality genre, will baffle you. Walter, the main character, believes he's the Son of God, and is followed by a ghost , Greg(good actor Justin Kirk), a kind of annoying presence-confidant, who won't let him be.This indie film,the intriguing work of promising young director Anna Mastro,and an ensemble of fine actors, mixes Walter's agonizing fantasies with his humdrum, daily reality. Sweet, twentyish Walter, played by Andrew J. West, in a moving, nuanced performance, works in a movie theater, is platonic- ally enamored of the pop-corn girl(Leven Rambin). Walter has been living in a semi-autistic trance with his dysfunctional, grieving mother(Virginia Madsen), ever since his father died when he was 10. In order to enable suicidal dad to go to heaven, Walter promises God he will be His agent,his Son on Earth. Wally thinks he is beholden to tell his peers whether they will go to Heaven or Hell. , Enters Greg (fine actor Justin Kirk)a plain talking, confrontative ghost, wandering on Earth for a decade. Greg wants Walter to tell him where his final destination will be.Wo is Gregg, and why is he in Walte's subconscious? Eventually, Walter's eccentric psychiatrist (colorfully played by brilliant William H. Macy)helps Walter figure out that Gregg, his imagined meddlesome ghost,his dad (Peter Facinelli) and the woman who was his father's mistress (Neve Campbell)are all connected. Once he figures that link, Walter exorcises his demons, resolves his grief, and can become a full and balanced human being. He also gets the pop-corn girl!
This very human and imaginative movie will make you feel good that human beings can free themselves from demons that the mind can create due to unresolved grief. I liked it even better the 2nd time around! You will fall in love with the moving characters that these deft and expressive actors bring into being, but especially with Andrew West's brilliant and heart- rending performance as Walter. He makes the movie real, credible and human!
This very human and imaginative movie will make you feel good that human beings can free themselves from demons that the mind can create due to unresolved grief. I liked it even better the 2nd time around! You will fall in love with the moving characters that these deft and expressive actors bring into being, but especially with Andrew West's brilliant and heart- rending performance as Walter. He makes the movie real, credible and human!