"Playing God" is what you might call a "Pulp Fiction" rip off. It's got enough blood and violence and alternative music in it to make Quinten Tarantino nod and smile. It's also very funny. And unpredictable. One of its merits is that because it's sort of an indie film--it doesn't have any real big stars (although David Duchovny and Timothy Hutton are both "famous," they have yet to buff their box office muscle), and it's not your regular blockbuster action film either. That, perhaps, gives the film much more space to grow. It's got some funky little scenes that make you go, "Hmmm, this movie is special." Other times, you feel dizzy and nauseated. There are times when the directing and editing is just sloppy. Was the cinematographer high?? Sure, they're trying to give the film a grungy feel, but sometimes they go overboard. One of the worst sequences in the movie is the drab flashback scene. The dialogue from the movie, while sometimes obviously dull and contrived, contains some true gems. Witness the scenes where Duchovny's character, Eugene Sands, says, "I don't think any of us are [Snow White]." Listen to Duchovny's voiceovers. It is only in these moments that we feel we're actually watching a Movie With A Message, not a MTV music video or a Saturday Night Live skit. Other times we wonder--"What's the point?"
David Duchovny does a solid, if not superb job here. When the movie first
begins, he seems to be lifeless while he struggles to "fit" into the movie.
Sometimes, he's as numb as Keanu Reeves can be. Particularly memorable
is the scene where Raymond Blossom's (played by Hutton) Japanese house
is attacked by "Dimitri." While Duchovny is supposed to look surprised and
bewildered, he comes off as barely interested. Before you pass Duchovny
off as a bad actor, hear my opinion as an avid Duchovny viewer on his
weekly TV show. He is definitely underrated. While there are times in
this movie when he just doesn't come through, other times when you look
into his eyes you can actually see the pain staring back at you. Times
when those eyes communicate multitudes of anguish, sadness, and despair.
Anyone who's seen the X-Files season finale this year can tell ya. There
are times in "Playing God" like these too. Not to mention he has a knack
for comedy. Sometimes we're not seeing Eugene Sands--we're seeing the
wry and witty Duchovny. At the worst boyish and charming while he
blunders, Duchovny fares well in the film. Timothy Hutton's performance
is consistently amazing in the film--though I cannot tell you much for I
have not seen many Hutton films. But as a stylish, insane criminal, he's
great.
As I always like to say, this is a movie you have to view with a light heart
and tolerant eye. Think of it as a "first" effort by the cast and crew who
is obviously proud of their hard work. You can feel the effort. That is why
I simply cannot bring myself to over-criticize the work. Besides, like I
said, I liked it. As a drama and action film it doesn't perform too well--
but as a twisted humour piece it delivers. Just ask the audience I watched
the movie with. We were ROTFL. "Playing God" is a well thought out film
about people on the edge who happen to crash-collide with each other. The
unexpected result makes the movie interesting. Though inconsistent in its
quality and too feel-goodish in the end, we're seeing a true classic half-way in the making.
RATING: B- (First viewing, 10/17/97)