Entropy

In an edgy, post-modernist approach, Phil Joanou (State of Grace) has his main character, a first-time movie director named Jake (Stephen Dorff), address the camera directly with the opening existential question, “How the hell did I get here?” The self-reflexivity continues with identifying characters by their story function, such as “The Star” (Lauren Holly), “The Studio Chairman” (Hector Elizondo), et al. But this rather unexpectedly clever and touching romantic satire is not merely an arch endeavor. While poking fun at the often ridiculous demands of studio filmmaking--arbitrarily cutting the budget, shooting an obligatory nude scene, finishing ahead of schedule--Entropy is really more interested in whether the harried director can balance work and love (with fetching Judith Godreche as an unspoiled fashion model) in a world tending toward escalating disorder. Perhaps a bit too heavily stylized, Entropy is still a strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)