phantomframe

This film was an amazing portrayal of what happens when egos, money and fame collide head-on. To see a world famous rock band hire a therapist to get through their "issues" together (and to actually see some breakthoughs) was quite something. For all of their posturing, these guys are babies who never were able to grow up because of the world they created. Surrounding themselves with "yes men," escaping through drugs and booze--it's nothing new, but I found this film to be a refreshing document of what being in a band really means to some people. They are, whether they like it or not, a family, and I liked seeing the band try to work through their problems rather than run away from them.

I started out liking this film. Ms. Arquette was making some good points, talking to some very interesting actresses (Jane Fonda is a standout, as well as Debra Winger herself.) But this film could have easily been 20 minutes shorter--it just seemed to go on and on. In the end, when all of the actresses involved in the documentary are signing their names in lipstick on pieces of mirror (huh?), Rosanna is the very last one to do it. It just hit the point that this was such a vanity piece rather than a serious piece of filmmaking, which it really could have been, if someone else had directed it that is.

"Coney Island Baby" is a nice, funny, sweet film. The story isn't exactly cutting edge, but the performances are great, and it's an excellent first effort from the director, Amy Hobby. It was refreshing to see a film about Ireland where everyone wasn't drunk, and nothing was brought up about being Catholic...