Howl

Documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman merge nonfiction and dramatic re-creation for this drama—based on transcripts and recordings preserved in the public record—centered on Allen Ginsberg's landmark titular poem. James Franco is superb as young poet Ginsberg, who we see performing the debut public reading of “Howl” and reflecting on both the controversial work and his life in an interview conducted during the famous obscenity trial brought against Ginsberg's publisher. Franco's understated performance deftly captures a vulnerable and inspired young man who found his voice and identity as a gay person in 1950s America. Interspersed throughout are a re-enactment of the court proceedings (starring Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, David Strathairn, and others) and animated sequences illustrating the poem. The film does not present a narrative per se, which may frustrate viewers expecting either a traditional biopic or a straightforward account; nevertheless, Howl is a provocative film that takes an innovative look at a notable work of American literature and a defining cultural moment. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and star James Franco, a “Holy! Holy! Holy!” making-of featurette (40 min.), “Director's Research Tapes” original interviews with poet Allen Ginsberg's friends and collaborators including Eric Drooker, Peter Orlovsky, Tuli Kupferberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Steven Taylor (29 min.), a 1995 clip of Ginsberg reading “Howl” at New York's Knitting Factory (25 min.), an audio-only segment of Franco reading “Howl,” and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a Q&A with Epstein and Friedman moderated by filmmaker John Cameron Mitchell at the Provincetown Film Festival (23 min.), and two more Knitting Factory performances by Ginsberg: “Sunflower Sutra” and “Pull My Daisy” (10 min.), along with a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an interesting film.](S. Axmaker)