Simplicity is the hallmark of this little movie by the Duplass Brothers, practitioners of the stripped-down, improvisational style known as “mumblecore.” Baghead starts out as an affectionate satire of both the underground movie scene and relationship comedy-dramas as two couples—Matt (Ross Partridge) and ex-girlfriend Catherine (Elise Muller), and Matt's best friend Chad (Steve Zissis) and new crush Michelle (Greta Gerwig)—plan a weekend retreat at an isolated cabin in order to work on a screenplay. In the second half, however, the film morphs into a minimalist horror flick in which the supposedly terrifying villain threatening the quartet is a guy wearing a brown paper bag on his head. Baghead wants to serves up a riff on the absurdity of the horror genre as well as be an example of same, but much of the material here is lame (the bagged-head character is both weak and indifferently played), with too many murky, unfocused shots of the quartet running around through the woods. Baghead will hold some interest for students and/or fans of fringe moviemaking, but it's the kind of film usually referred to as “showing promise.” Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by directors Mark and Jay Duplass, a 16-minute interview with the directors, two minutes of “Baghead Scares,” and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)
Baghead
Sony, 81 min., R, DVD: $28.99, Dec. 30 Volume 24, Issue 1
Baghead
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