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Santa FeRating:
Release Date: 28 October, 2003 Retail Price: $9.99 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (10 total) |
Santa Fe Reviews
Featuring the city in a starring role
From the description, this movie sounds cheesy, but its not. It's a surprisingly enjoyable independent film about one man's obsession. For anyone who has ever been to Santa Fe or plans to, this is the perfect film to watch as you get to see quite a bit of the town. I loved it the two times I visited and am always eager to return. People who've been struck by Santa Fe Fever will undoubtedly laugh at some of the "inside jokes" in this film, which reveals some its quirks and charm, most notably the all encompassing "New Age" spiritual seekers.
Gary Cole plays Paul Thomas, a former cop who left the force when he, along with his wife and daughter, joined a David Koresh-type cult in Wyoming. We see flashbacks of him saving a few lives before getting shot and wounded. When he returns to Santa Fe to pick up where he left off, seeking his old job back, people are naturally suspicious of him. He disappointed some street thugs who really did look forward to their Saturday "midnight basketball" games (did that program really work?). He's required to attend therapy sessions with a deaf woman who communicates quite expressively through sign language and one big reason I love this film. His cop partner finds amusing ways to get him out of a session early.
Lolita Davidovich plays Eleanor in a spot on resemblance of writer Marianne Williamson. Paul thinks Eleanor is just another cult leader, even though his ex-wife and daughter think she's great. She has retreats at her very artsy house and gives lectures, and is often hounded by gushing autograph seekers. What we learn is that she's just communicating what is basic info that everyone should know, and she feels guilty about it. She's not the one who views herself as a guru to be worshipped and admired, and such devotion among fans leads to her breakdown. That's where the film is weakest...because I wanted to see more of her and why people think she's a cult leader. I certainly didn't get that sense (nor do I think Marianne Williamson or Deepak Chopra are cult leaders...they are just writing about basic info and caught the celebrity trend mobile that ultimately makes their message/books cheesy). Paul falls in love with Eleanor and we (the viewers) don't know if its authentic love or groupie love, as it seems more like the latter. The resolution comes about too quickly and I certainly would have liked to have seen more. I got the sense that some scenes were deleted, possibly for time considerations, but with a film like this, I was never bored once, so I could've enjoyed another 30 minutes to get a clearer idea about what this film is ultimately about. Its certainly not what the description makes it out to be and that's a relief. Its not a cheesy film. Its high quality on a low budget, and I recommend seeing it and owning it if you like it. If anything, it makes a nice video souvenir of Santa Fe.
Don't believe the description!
This is an extremely smart, clever, funny and surreal movie about holding onto our individuality. It is not an action drama as the description would suggest--instead it is a witty exploration of Santa Fe culture (or Sedona, or Taos, or the like), where people can be willing to give up too much of themselves (and their money) to find enlightenment. The question in the movie is just how rewarding complete individuality can be.
You like Santa Fe?
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