A family tragedy sets off a life-altering chain reaction in the new film Charlie Countryman, a film light on plot but heavy on visual flair. Director Fredrik Bond takes a familiar fish-out-of-water concept and shrewdly makes it his own by creating one of the most intense and hypnotic love stories of the year.
Shia LaBeouf continues to challenge himself as an actor by tackling the titular role of Charlie, a misguided loner who at the start of the film has just experienced a heavy loss. Drowning in sorrow and confusion he sets out to make a change, even if that change comes in a hallucinatory state that drives him to jump on the first flight to Bucharest, Romania.
Along the way Charlie is haunted by the same serene voice that led him out of his comfort zone in the first place. It’s a familiar sound to our protagonist and even though we know it’s all a mirage, Charlie’s desperate need to find a connection trumps all his logic and sanity.
An olive branch comes to Charlie in the form of Gabi (Evan Rachel Wood), a fellow outcast who immediately captures his curiosity despite the many warning signs around her. The biggest obstacle for the pair is Gabi’s jealous and psychotic ex-lover Nigel (Mads Mikkelsen), he is one of the best and worst things about Charlie Countryman. On paper, he is written as a cartoonish goon who yells and grunts a lot while threatening to kill anyone who looks at his girl the wrong way. Despite this tacky flaw, Mikkelsen brings so much wounded charm to the role that the character’s shortcomings are easy to ignore.
At its core Charlie Countryman is a love story between two lost, damaged souls and the antagonist between them. LaBeouf in particular gives a fearless performance as Charlie, a character with deep-rooted issues struggling to break free from his psychological prison. There were rumors during filming that LaBeouf even went method with his character and to experience the euphoria of Charlie’s drug high during a pivotal scene, actually did the real thing on camera. If the story is false, it’s a fun rumor. If it’s true, it makes for a dedicated and dangerous approach to connecting with your character.
Credit for Charlie Countryman’s success also goes to director Bond who made a huge splash with the film when it premiered at Sundance earlier this year. He utilizes many editing choices that give the film a dreamy and vibrant look. This along with a very energetic musical score performed by Moby form a quixotic state that grips you for the film’s entire running time.
It’s easy to pick at flaws inCharlie Countryman but this isn’t the kind of film that wraps up everything perfectly. The best way to enjoy it is not to judge its imperfections but instead surrender to the film’s captivating visual style. When people say they want something different and interesting at the movies, this is the kind of film they’re talking about.
Grade: B+
Rated: R (for some brutal violence, language throughout, sexuality/nudity, and drug use)
Charlie Countryman opens in theaters nationwide on November 15, 2013.
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