With Writer/Director Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting) and the acting talent of Joaquin Phoenix, this reality based biopic on the life of an artistic alcoholic quadriplegic is sadly sweet while darkly funny. There’s even a splash of spiritualism and a message about the redemptive power of art. But the hap hazard way the film is structured is confusing.
The film is based on John Callahan’s autobiography.The name comes from one of his cartoons which depicts an empty wheelchair found in the desert by a sheriff’s posse. The lawman tells the group, “Don’t worry, He won’t get far on foot.” Just like Callahan himself, it’s humorous and divisive.
Phoenix plays John Callahan who eventually became a syndicated editorial cartoonist, whose work was published in more than 200 newspapers. The black-humor and biting sarcasm in his drawings brought him equal amounts of praise and criticism. When he died in 2010 at the age of 59, his work was largely forgotten. That’s why Joaquin Phoenix had no idea who Callahan was when Gus Van Sant offered him the role.
Phoenix shows total commitment playing Callahan. Set in 1970’s Portland, Oregon, Callahan wakes up every morning searching for his first drink. His last night out of a wheelchair was spent with new drinking buddy Dexter (Jack Black), who is the funny loser and whacky enabler. Dexter keeps the bartender endlessly pouring shots and then, driving home, dozes off behind the wheel. They slammed into a light pole going 90 miles per hour.
Callahan’s life is changed forever. Now with limited use of his arms, the last thing Callahan wants to do it give up booze. Redemption begins with Annu (Rooney Mara), his therapist who sees something deeper and more valuable inside Callahan. Mara is underused in this film but serves a purpose. At Annu’s urging, he enters a substance support group led by Donnie (Jonah Hill), a rich, gay man who deals in tough love, AA and 12 Steps. In this role, Hill gets to exercise his acting chops giving a broadly textured performance. He never raises his voice, but his humor and wisdom resonates loudly with Callahan, who is trying hard not to listen.
Once again, Phoenix goes all in. He gives us a fully formed picture of a non-conformist who needs a system to survive, but when frustrated, finds a way to rebel. His motorized wheelchair is both transportation and a racing machine. In one scene he takes on neighborhood skateboarders. Inevitably, he crashes and flies out of the chair, only to come up laughing at his own wrecklessness. This is the metaphor for his life, turning tragedy into humor. And he befriends the kids who help him up.
There’s a newsy, almost documentary aura to the look of the movie. But there is not enough about his cartoons and a better collage of more of them. Cinematographer, Christopher Blauvelt (Speed, Night Moves) has more than enough experience shooting action films and uses it effectively. The scenes of Callahan on the move in his chair play more like a fleeing suspect than a quadriplegic just rolling down the sidewalk. You know Callahan is driven just to get away, mostly from his own demons.
The timeline pinballs backwards and forwards at a manic, exhausting pace which is neither helpful to the continuity of the film nor the flow of the story. We found that the repeated scenes of Callahan’s near relapses and his giving in to darker impulses began to have a formulaic quality. There are silent close ups where you can study his face, and particularly the blank stare of his eyes. But the repeated relapses become more of a distraction keeping you from getting a totally immersive experience.
The only character who gets any meaningful screen time other than Phoenix is Jonah Hill. He is uncharacteristically sensitive, yet controlling in this role as an AA group leader working with Callahan and his other members in the group therapy sessions. Rooney Mara and Jack Black craft appealing and interesting characters, but their stories aren’t fully explored. It would have made for a more fully formed experience to have more scenes including them.
A story like this his performance will probably get Joaquin Phoenix some attention during Awards Season. You know, tear-jerkers about characters with physical infirmities get buzz. If he were still with us, Jack Callahan would probably laugh at how he’s portrayed in the film, and then draw a scathing cartoon.
Amazon Studios 113Minutes R
