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Urbania | Year: 2000 Directed: - Jon Shear Edgy, perceptive and original "Urbania" is an intense and disturbing movie that takes place mainly during one freakish night on the streets of New York. What leads to the events that take place is shown in flashbacks. Its conclusion is quite powerful, especially for those like myself who don't quite figure out what's going on until near the end. A second viewing allows one to appreciate the clues contained throughout the film. I can't say only so much about the plot without using spoilers. The protagonist, Charlie [Dan Futterman], is obviously very disturb by something that recently occurred. We see him in flashbacks with his lover, Chris [Matt Keeslar]. They seem to have a very loving relationship. In the present, we watch him call Chris several times and leave messages on Chris' answer machine. They seem to have broken up, but how and why? Or is it something more? We watch Charlie prowls the streets looking for something or someone. He charms, then shocks a young stud and his bimbo girlfriend. He goes to visit an old friend. In the flashbacks the friend is lively and vibrant. He gives wild parties. In the present, the friend is sick and alone. The encounter is tense and sad. Charlie befriends a bartender and gives him $50 to be on the lookout for an alcoholic, over the hill hustler [Samuel Ball]. What could he want with this sleazy character? Dan Futterman gives an astonishing performance - edgy, tinged with a wealth of emotions from grief to rage. He is in every scene. Keeslar is suitably pretty and charming. Beyond his smiling face there is a decided sadness. Samuel Ball is frighteningly authentic as the hustler, one of those street-smart people whose aura is one of havoc and violence. This is a gay-themed movie that breaks the mold. Charlie is a real character, not some by-the-numbers stereotype. He interacts with the straight world with a cynical ease. And, best of all, it's both a serious character study and a great psychological thriller, with far more in common with "The Sixth Sense" than "The Birdcage". Director Jon Shear is a filmmaker to keep an eye on. Dark, depressing and disturbing... These three words sum up my impression of URBANIA. I had read several articles about the film in magazines and thought it would be worth a look. It's not a film I'd watch a second time. To be fair it has its good points, namely Dan Futterman's deeply affecting performance which was missed by 95% of the moviegoing public last year. Because of its gay storyline, it got very little mainstream press coverage. It's nice to see gay characters who have lives and emotions that go beyond just sex. Too often the mainstream film and media industries focus on sex and nothing else. URBANIA goes much further in showing how the consequences of life affect all of us, gay and straight. Alan Cumming's performance as always is compelling and haunting. I haven't see him in a film where he didn't completely embody the character's motives and psyche. I think Dan Futterman will be recognized as being of the same caliber as Alan Cumming. The entire cast is excellent. However in the end, the film left me with a great feeling of unease, which I'm sure was the director's intention. Shear maximizes the "darkness" of the storyline through the film's lighting and editing. A haunting film and not one I'd revisit anytime. Recommended nonetheless. Decide for yourself Urbania is one of the best, and most affecting movies I have seen in the past several years. Director Jon Shear takes chances with how to use the medium, and how to tell a story, and the risks pay off. I look forward to his next work, and to future films with Dan Futterman, who delivers an Oscar-worthy perfomance. One of the things that makes this film unique is its intimate and realistic portrait of love (not just sex, not just puppy love) between two of the male characters. This has made the film very popular with gay audiences and no doubt prevented it from achieving wider success when it was released in late 2000.Too bad... in a year where the best indpendent movies were either exquisitely polished masterpieces (Crouching Tiger), or else flashy and memorable variations on formulas that have now been used a million times (Amor Es Porras), this disturbing and hopeful movie charted completely new territory -- bringing to film the immediacy and impact of the stage. It deserves a wider audience. Buy Urbania at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Urbania Search with the Priority Search Engine on Urbania This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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