Actor Martinez

Ostensibly a ménage of behind-the-scenes footage and raw film from a fictionalized documentary chronicling the life of small-time Denver actor Arthur Martinez, Mike Ott and Nathan Silver's meta-film-within-a-film is an alternatively intriguing and off-putting exploration into the deceptive art of performance. Martinez, who like the other cast members seems to be playing a version of himself here, makes for an interesting and challenging choice for a documentarian's subject, at turns withdrawn, selfish, and given to talking in maddening circles about his craft while conversely displaying occasional moments of compassion. Ott and Silver also appear as “themselves,” driving the conflict of the “plot” by holding a casting call for Arthur's onscreen girlfriend (Lindsay Burdge), a woman they intentionally try to model after Arthur's ex-wife in a bid to provoke some emotional honesty from their subject. But in an industry built upon constant fabrication and obfuscation, how can these filmmakers possibly get anywhere close to the truth? Narrative traditionalists are likely to balk at trying to navigate the film's constant digressions and questioning of reality, but those willing to take a journey into a land of experimental disorientation will find this refreshingly challenging and not without its beguiling moments. A strong optional purchase. (J. Cruz)