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Entertainment News
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Oct. 19, 2003
Local artist explores film noir
“Losers Lounge,”
Indianapolis filmmaker Don Boner’s first feature-length film, is a mixture of
the film-noir style of the 1950s and some sensitive and controversial issues
that probably would not have been explored in earlier films produced in this
style. Boner addresses the exploitation of women, incest and other sexual abuse,
the risks of illegal abortions, drug abuse and official corruption in this
dreary film.
The film was shot
in black and white and has fade-outs and fade-ins instead of the sharp cuts that
are typical of modern scene changes. There is no comedy, and there are no happy
characters — this style of movie features grim stories of the street and of
people who have serious problems.
It is film at its
bleakest.
Boner’s
stereotypical characters have desperate lives that match the bareness of the
film style. They include Joey, the private eye who was wrongly kicked off the
police force, Lisa Losers, the benevolent bar owner, Ginger, the kind-hearted
whore, Speedy, the junkie musician, and others who live in the imaginary town of
Passionville.
A young woman is
killed by strangulation, and Joey is the prime suspect. He has to resort to his
detective instincts to find the real killer and save his own skin. There is
enough sex, violence and profanity in this film to make it realistic without any
of it being gratuitous.
The shortcomings
in “Losers Lounge” are found in its inconsistencies. Some of the dialog is
very good; other dialog is weak. Some characters, like Joey (Brian Talbot), and
the crooked mayor (Bob Williams) are convincing; others, such as Regina
Cornelius (Lisa Lee) are not as strong.
Production values
also fluctuate throughout the movie. One moment the lighting or the camera
angles may be perfect; the next moment shadows may cover a face that should be
in the light. And the scenery and clothing do not always accurately represent
1948, the year the story took place.
The
inconsistency, however is understandable, as “Losers Lounge” is a
“no-budget” picture; less than $1,000 was spent on making the film — less
than what one lunch costs for the crew on a Hollywood movie set. One of the most
interesting aspects of this film is how much movie Boner managed to make for so
little money.
“Losers
Lounge” is worth seeing. Its minimalist approach is different from the
standard movie fare, as is the realistic treatment of difficult social issues.
For more information on Don Boner and “Losers Lounge” visit indianapolisfilm.net.
By Charles Tidd
Staff Writer
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