Directed by and starring James Franco, Zeroville is closer to being an art film than a typical box office movie. With a cast of prominent actors that include Will Ferrell, Seth Rogan, and Megan Fox, the film is a comment on Hollywood filmmaking in 1969. Adapted from the novel Zeroville by Steve Erickson, the film was completed in 2014 but not released until 2019.
Arriving in Hollywood during the time of the Manson murder of Sharon Tate, Vikar (James Franco) wants to be a part of movie-making. While there is not a lot of back story about Vikar, the viewer learns he left a theological seminary back east, got his head shaved, and acquired a tattoo of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift on the back of his head; he also carries a model he built while in school. A Place in the Sun is his favorite movie and he watched it only eleven months earlier. In Hollywood, Vikar spends the night in the exact hotel room slept in by Montgomery Clift and at night dreams of Clift’s character in the film.
Vikar’s first job is building sets. He happens to meet Dotty Langer (Jacki Weaver) while observing a film take. Vikar learns that she is the editor for this film and they become friends. Dotty teaches Vikar how to edit and he soon becomes adept at cutting and splicing tape. During another day at work at Paramount Studios, Vikar meets screenwriter Viking Man (Seth Rogan) and the two attend a beach party where Viking Man introduces the aspiring filmmaker to other Hollywood directors such as Spielberg and Lucas who will soon become well known in the industry. Vikar is told to come to the Philippines where Viking Man needs help with editing a war movie reminiscent of Apocolypse Now.
Vikar also meets Soledad (Megan Fox) and is instantly attracted to the troubled screen star who is currently between acting roles. When he gets a chance to edit a film with Soledad in it, he jumps at the chance. Then, Vikar’s editing of Soledad’s scenes gets mixed up with his dreams of her. They have an affair but it doesn’t last and Soledad leaves Vikar to return to Hollywood. Vikar’s editing and dream fantasies continue to occur and he visualizes a secret clip in each movie. With interesting and sometimes odd camera angles, Zeroville will appeal to fans of the book, Hollywood filmmaking, and those who want to see a serious James Franco character. Strong Optional. Aud: C, P. (T. Root)