Tom DiCillo's Delirious features indie-film stalwart Steve Buscemi (in a role tailor-made for his sad-sack persona) as Les Galantine, a two-bit New York paparazzo who categorizes people as "peons or professionals" (and reminds anyone who'll listen that he's a licensed professional). Les's previous coups—tabloid snaps of Goldie Hawn eating lunch and Elvis Costello (who makes an amusing cameo appearance) without a hat on—are enough to impress Toby (Michael Pitt), a pleasantly dimwitted drifter whom Les takes in as an unpaid assistant. Serving as Les's point-man in roving packs of paparazzi, Toby nurses a crush on K'Harma Leeds (Alison Lohman), a Britney-like pop diva who spites a former boy-toy by recruiting Toby for a night of wish-fulfillment fantasy. Before long, Toby's trying to climb the celebrity ladder K-Fed-style, while Les stews over his parents' disapproval of his "filthy" profession. Delirious stretches credibility a bit when Toby's being groomed by a savvy casting director (Gina Gershon), but DiCillo's humor is mostly on target here, and Buscemi is typically masterful in his portrayal of lonely desperation. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Tom DiCillo, a 15-minute “Stalking Delirious” behind-the-scenes featurette, a music video, and audio podcast promotional shorts. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning satire.] (J. Shannon)
Delirious
Genius, 107 min., not rated, DVD: $19.95, May 6 Volume 23, Issue 4
Delirious
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