SXSW Review: Charlie Casanova

Score:B-

Director:Terry McMahon

Cast:Emmett J. Scanlan, Leigh Arnold, Damien Hannaway

Running Time:94.00

Rated:NR

Let the card decide.  Ace to five is yes, six to ten is no.  For Charlie Barnum, this act takes the decision out of it all, allowing the inner-God to take control.  At least that is what he has his friends believing.  In reality, Charlie is nothing more than a coward; one who refuses to be restricted by the bounds of morality, law or even reality.  But every psycho reaches his end - right?

Directed by Terry McMahon and featuring a festival best performance from Emmett J. Scanlan, Charlie Casanova is one of the most unique and intriguing films to come out of this year's SXSW Film Festival.

Bearing a subversively dark and haunting tone, witty dialogue, a satirical plotline and downright disturbing actions, the film is not for everyone.  But with an admitted similarity to Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman, Scanlan's performance here is sure to wrack your brain as you attempt to dissect the personality of our lead protagonist and uncover the layered satirical story that comprises the unmistakable Charlie Casanova.

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About Stephen Davis

Stephen Davis
I owe this hobby/career to the one and only Stephanie Peterman who, while interning at Fox, told me that I had too many opinions and irrelevant information to keep it all bottled up inside. I survived my first rated R film, Alive, at the ripe age of 8, it took me months to grasp the fact that Julia Roberts actually died at the end of Steel Magnolias, and I might be the only person alive who actually enjoyed Sorority Row…for its comedic value of course. While my friends can drink you under the table, I can outwatch you when it comes iconic, yet horrid 80s films like Adventures in Babysitting and Troop Beverly Hills. I have no shame when it comes to what I like, and if you have a problem with that, then we’ll settle it on the racquetball court. I see too many movies to actually win any film trivia contest, so don’t waste your first pick on me. My friends rent movies from my bookcase shelves, and one day I do plan to start charging. I long to live in LA, where my movie obsession will actually help me fit in, but for now I am content with my home in Austin. I prefer indies to blockbusters, Longhorns to Sooners and Halloween to Friday the 13th. I miss the classics, as well as John Ritter, and I hope to one day sit down and interview the amazing Kate Winslet.

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