I have watched hundreds of independent films and have come to prefer their pure, sometimes harsh and grainy, view of life to the gloss of big Hollywood productions. For an independent movie to succeed, it has to have a spark of brilliance, a ray of fundamental truth, a brief glimpse into things we all know exist, but generally do not see in routine Hollywood fare. Those that succeed are wonderful; those that don't are simply bad movies. Sadly, I must say that Icharus Broken falls squarely into the latter category.
Here are some "highlights": Interminably long scenes where characters mumble incoherently and endlessly to each other, generally set against a solid, brightly colored wall or riding in a car. Sound quality that is the absolute worst I have ever (almost) heard, with unintelligible dialog drowned out by the creaking of a wood floor, or simply waxing and waning due to lousy equipment and poor direction. Hand-held camera work that is so unsteady it causes motion sickness, like a poor quality 8mm home movie. Terrible, inappropriate, discordant, clanging music that (mercifully) distracts from and drowns out the mumbling of the characters. Amateurish cuts and editing that interfere with comprehension of what little is not already incomprehensible. In short, I have seen surveillance video from 7-11 stores that had far better production values and far more entertainment quality than any moment in this film.
The DVD label boasts of victories and commendations in two obscure film festivals. I shudder to think of the quality of the competition, if indeed there was any. The label also suggests similarities to the infinitely superior movie, 21 Grams. This comparison is not only wildly inaccurate but probably libelous. Finally, if my opinion has not convinced you to avoid this train wreck, then I direct your attention to the Product Description provided by the producers and posted with the DVD listing. Try this experiment: read it aloud many times, alternating the volume of your voice from low to inaudible, ignoring punctuation, jerking up and down uncontrollably, and scratching your nails on a blackboard while banging on your desk. If this seems like great entertainment...this is the movie for you. If not, then take my advice and run. You have been warned.
Here are some "highlights": Interminably long scenes where characters mumble incoherently and endlessly to each other, generally set against a solid, brightly colored wall or riding in a car. Sound quality that is the absolute worst I have ever (almost) heard, with unintelligible dialog drowned out by the creaking of a wood floor, or simply waxing and waning due to lousy equipment and poor direction. Hand-held camera work that is so unsteady it causes motion sickness, like a poor quality 8mm home movie. Terrible, inappropriate, discordant, clanging music that (mercifully) distracts from and drowns out the mumbling of the characters. Amateurish cuts and editing that interfere with comprehension of what little is not already incomprehensible. In short, I have seen surveillance video from 7-11 stores that had far better production values and far more entertainment quality than any moment in this film.
The DVD label boasts of victories and commendations in two obscure film festivals. I shudder to think of the quality of the competition, if indeed there was any. The label also suggests similarities to the infinitely superior movie, 21 Grams. This comparison is not only wildly inaccurate but probably libelous. Finally, if my opinion has not convinced you to avoid this train wreck, then I direct your attention to the Product Description provided by the producers and posted with the DVD listing. Try this experiment: read it aloud many times, alternating the volume of your voice from low to inaudible, ignoring punctuation, jerking up and down uncontrollably, and scratching your nails on a blackboard while banging on your desk. If this seems like great entertainment...this is the movie for you. If not, then take my advice and run. You have been warned.