I just watched the movie Parked. It was odd, artsy, indie, and almost entirely character driven, with a plot thin enough that if the characters hadn't been so strong the movie would have been nothing.
But the characters were strong.
So I really liked it.
A brief summary: A middle aged man named Fred is living out of his car. He's attempting to get some form of aid, but due to the fact that his dwelling isn't a "fixed abode", is continually getting refused. Then another car appears in his car park, and Fred meets Cathal (pronounced KA-hal, because Ireland), a young man also living out of his car, having been kicked out of his house by his father... I think (I missed a bit of the beginning dialogue because Cathal's accent took some getting used to). Also he's a total drug addict, but at least he doesn't inject, right?
Anyway, the two of course end up forming an unlikely friendship, one that helps Fred to see his life isn't over, and Cathal to see that his life isn't exactly on the road to success. Also Fred meets a lady he likes, but finds himself unable to be entirely honest with her because he's ashamed that he's living out of his car.
Here's what I liked about the movie:
The cinematography. I love indie films, because the way they use their cameras tend to be so much more interesting - I presume that being indie lends itself to a certain freedom to take risks. It worked here, and it added a certain poignancy to a few moments.
The characters. Fred and Cathal are a lovely foil for each other, but equally interesting people on their own. Fred was a surprise for me, especially, because pardon me for saying that a movie about a depressed middle aged man is not exactly top of my list. However, this character managed to get past that for me - I think it was the warm center the actor was playing for him, that he isn't a cynic by nature, but by circumstance.
And, of course, Cathal managed to hit one of my major soft spots - a troubled but essentially good hearted person with an aloof exterior but actually cares a lot.
But what I liked about it can be summed up by this statement I saw upon doing a little research: "It is the most gentle movie about homelessness and drug use you are ever likely to see."
Yeah, that about sums it up.
Because, see, it is about homelessness and drug use. Both those things play very large roles in the movie. As a result, it could have been very dark.
But it wasn't.
In fact, despite things not exactly working out for anyone in the end, at least not the way we the audience would have probably liked, it's extremely hopeful. And, often, joyful. No, Fred doesn't quite end up with the girl, and no, Cathal never makes up with his father. But that's because it is, simultaneously, a realistic movie - just one with an optimistic view.
Which is honestly so refreshing. I'm tired of people equating realism with cynicism, because those two things aren't synonymous. What this movie does is acknowledge that circumstances get crappy, but that the people in those circumstances aren't bad people because of it. Even the way the movie treats Cathal, who is arguably much more to blame for his problem than Fred is for his, as a victim of circumstance. Innocent? Maybe not. But human - the movie goes to lengths to point out everyone's human-ness, showing fears and flaws and passions as much as possible - and deserving of compassion.
And I just think that's awesome. It's maybe not terribly unusual, in terms of tactics to take for such a movie, but this movie manages to strike an almost perfect balance between the encroaching darkness and the light moments that not only temper it but pretty well define the film's tone. It managed to take some pretty heavy topics and go, "But here's the thing..." and turn it around so that, in the end, it was more about living than it was about all the things that could end up killing them.
Also, the acting was really on point. I've already talked about my surprise on actually finding Fred to be a likable character, and that is largely to do with the actor's playing of him. The actress who played his love interest was very good too, and of course, Cathal's characteristically jerky energy and his charisma and the wonderful way his softer moments were played was brought by the endlessly gifted Colin Morgan, who I will never not love as an actor.
Really, it was all just so good. I recommend this movie muchly. It's gentle without being patronizing and realistic without being pessimistic and sentimental without being flowery and just all in all extremely enjoyable. Please watch this movie. It'll make you smile. I promise.
