Slipstream

On one hand, Slipstream is a failure, maybe even a disaster. On the other, it's so fascinating that it's still worth seeing. Writer-director-star Anthony Hopkins creates a phantasmagorical journey through the psyche of his protagonist screenwriter (if we can even believe that much about the central character), from an L.A. freeway road-rage incident during which bullets fly, to a desert movie location where a director (Gavin Grazer) is losing his grip on a noirish story to an out-of-control actor (Christian Slater, in one of his most interesting performances yet). Is Hopkins' character slipping in and out of a movie in his imagination, or are we? Playing off the multiple meanings of “to shoot,” weaving in asides about screwed-up continuity, hilariously sniping at Hollywood phoniness (John Turturro's hotshot producer is a hoot), and serving up Twilight Zone-ish appearances by actors out of old black-and-white classics, this is a manic Bugs Bunny cartoon of a head trip that is more enigmatic than enlightening. However, what it lacks in lucidity it makes up for in the persuasive confidence of its delusion. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Sir Anthony Hopkins, a 16-minute “making-of” featurette, three deleted scenes (12 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a flawed but intriguing film.] (M. Johanson)