Fear, Anxiety, and Depression

Writers who can't write write about writer's who can't write. This tautological truism is at the heart of this lame comedy about an awful Greenwich Village playwright named Ira Ellis (played by Todd Solondz, who also wrote and directed the film) who, when he isn't dropping literary allusions, spends most of his time chasing women. The unhappy triumvirate who are the recipient's of Ira's libidinous attentions are Sharon, Junk, and Janice. Junk is the most interesting--by virtue of her outrageous wardrobe--while Sharon, who is spurned by Ira, is the most sympathetic. But, fairly quickly we lose interest in this geek's love life and his struggles with his typewriter. If this is autobiographical--as I suspect--then we're lucky; chances are "Ira" won't have enough material to make another film for a good five years. Not recommended. (R. Pitman)