By Rakechan
This film is certainly not for everybody, however it is an intriguing and quirky debut, and it is without doubt thought provoking. The office setting is always an effective backdrop for social satire, and this film often uses the absurdities of the office life and the stereotypes that work within it to create a surreal portrait of an incredibly dysfunctional working community.
The acting is, although not award winning, attacked with gusto by all those involved. From Vivian, the overly sexual poet in disguise who is desperate to get noticed either from her extensive vocabulary or her abilities in other areas (including playing the bassoon and baking soufflés!) to Ernie, the hypochondriac who has every possible ill affecting his general well-being. All of the characters other than Bartleby are so over the top and charismatic that Bartleby seems almost alien-like in his silence. He is not exactly loveable, or indeed even likeable. Crispin Glover plays the office oddball in the way that only he knows how. You never quite pin Bartleby down, although at times he works effectively in the film, there is always a something slightly darker lurking just beneath the surface of the character. He rarely speaks, and what he does say gives no sort of insight into the character at all, however this isn’t because of poor character development; if you were to learn about where Bartleby was from, or what makes him act in this bizarre way you would lose sight of the messages and intent of the film.
Although the cinematography isn’t great, the visual aspects of the film are strangely suited to the story. It feels at times like some American made-for-TV office-based sitcom, which is partly its appeal. The office itself is a weirdly mismatched affair, it vibrates, and there is a life size photomural of a forest on one wall, windows that don’t open and dusty air vents that stink all day. It’s the kind of place that is so bizarre that it’s wholly believable.
The DVD contains a featurette about the soundtrack of the film, focusing on the use of the theremin within it. The soundtrack unquestionably adds a lot to the film; beautiful sweeping theremin sounds over the top of electric pianos distract the viewer almost every time Bartleby appears on screen. For me it was a joy to see somebody spending some time to focus on the sound and make something of it, rather than ignoring it’s relevance as many first time directors would be tempted to do.
Every element of this film is oddball, but overall is enjoyable. For me at least, but bear in mind I’m not what you would call the average movie goer. If you enjoy films that are edged with dark satire and require a surreal sense of humour, then Bartleby is for you.
