'Callback,' written and directed by Chris Glatis, produced by Tony Serdarusich, and shot by Neal Fredericks, follows one day in the life of a Hollywood actor. He is a handsome, talented actor, or at least he thinks he is, who is chasing his own version of the American Dream. But unfortunately, isn't as successful as he thinks he is, or would like to be; and that gap between expectation and result leaves plenty of room for a very remarkable and very compelling drama on life in the Hollywood food chain. In nearly every scene, Richard Eden commands center-stage as the Hollywood actor, his superb portrayal of this character on the edge keeps your attention riveted to the screen, your eyes glued to his every move.
Other performances that were good were Katie Barnes, Scott Satenspiel, and Mick Page, whose tour-de-force as a movie director almost steals the film. I also highly recommend this film for Neal Frederick's incredible cinematography, his POV of Los Angeles alone is worth a viewing of this film. Regrettably, Neal died tragically in August of this year (2004) in a small plane accident off the coast of Miami's Dry Tortugas shooting aerial footage for a new independent movie. And 'Callback' is one of the last movies he shot in his lifetime. That alone makes it very, very special. Karen Rasch's editing also gave the film a provocative pace and structure.
And the soundtrack of edgy rock music motifs provided by Kim Kraft of Studio Kraft boldly uplifts the film. And Chris Glatis, a first-time feature director, deserves a special commendation for his inspired work in writing and helming this movie. He did a dynamite job in bringing this highly imaginative and insightful premise about Hollywood to the big screen.
I really hope he graduates from the independent milieu to direct bigger-budget commercial features in the near future.
I strongly believe that 'Callback,' dripping with industry slang, is a movie that deserves to be seen and heard by film audiences, and ones that truly appreciate the actor's art form. Aside from Oscar time, most audiences take the actors and actresses in the movies and TV shows they see for granted, not understanding the process the actors and actresses who give the performances that fill most movies and TV shows must go through. 'Callback' pulls the curtain back and allows the audience the rare opportunity to glimpse this unique world. Up close and very personal.
