ana23t

The story follows a life of a former porn star, Mikey Saber. After his life falls apart in L. A., he must go back to his hometown in Texas. There he begs his ex-wife Lexi to crush on her couch until he's back on his feet. Even though reluctantly, Lexi agrees. He tries to find a regular job, but at every interview, he blubbers out about his former career. Eventually, he ends up as a weed dealer, living with Lexi and her mom, and falling for a barely legal girl from the donut shop- Strawberry, who he sees as his potential ticket back to the porn world. It covers a brief period of time but succeeds in giving us great character study and socio-economic display of life in Texas City.

All characters have a strong ´´real-feel´´ to them, it is easy to imagine their background stories and each of them seems to have the potential for a film story of their own.

Visually, Texas City is shown as an industrial suburb stuck in time. The only landmarks are smokestacks (which we often see in the background of Mikey's bicycling scenes). The colours are soft and pastel with a pinch of neon. Static shots nicely emphasize the background and draw us deeper into a slow, simple, mundane life atmosphere.

And, yet this is not a feel-good movie. The reason for that is the main character, Mikey.

Mikey is a narcissistic, opportunistic, manipulative scumbag. He will use whatever he can; free rides, casual sex, accommodation, Strawberries potential, etc. He will give nothing in return or merely necessary (some money to Lexi and mum, for letting him stay) to keep him where he wants to be. Even though he might appear likeable at moments, he has his own agenda in every interaction and the only thing he is looking for is a way to get himself back on track. He is willing to use practicality underaged Strawberry for this purpose without a second thought of how drastically this would affect her life.

Strawberry, on the other hand, as much as she seems to be manipulative and clever or even opportunistic herself, is, I believe, still too young and immature to end up well playing with a man whose only operating system in life is lies, manipulation, and exploitation.

It is a bit unclear whether the last scene is real or just in Mikey's head but that is irrelevant, same as whether Strawberry has changed her mind or whether they were even able to get to L. A. The point here is- he is still after his own well-being at the expense of another one and this will never change. Mikey will stay Mikey and that surely goes for every real-life Mikey out there.

Visually, the movie was supposed to portray the present time and 60s. And they did it well when it came to 60s scenes. All of it- music, fashion, dance, it is all very vivid, colourful, neon, and 60s like. However, when the story goes back to the present time at some moments it seems like the 60s aesthetic still lingers (Eloise's bedroom in the country for example). I feel it would contribute to a generally stronger impression if two timelines have been divided in a more clear sense aesthetically.

When it comes to the story, it seems that the director could not decide - whether it will be a horror, a drama with social comments, or a mystery. Had any of them been chosen as the main genre, it could have given a much better result.

If we look at it as a horror movie all the dazzling aesthetic and energetic music just take away from the horror atmosphere. Not because the two are impossible to pair successfully, but because horror elements were just too weak. Horror scenes seemed more like a bit of scary fantasy scenes and, also, the story itself didn't create real tension or feeling of real danger.

If we want to see it as a drama, it sort of fails to reach its full potential again. The main characters, Eloise and Alex have too much childish vibe, which might even suit Eloise and make her innocent as a contrast to Alex, or what life turned her in, but in that case Alex's "decay" should have been more pronounced. In scenes where she is already unhappy with what her life has become, she seems annoyed or bored, not much time or expression was paid to her anger, bitterness, hate, or similar emotions that would make her commit her crimes.

It might stand its best chances as a mystery but even, in that case, all the above-mentioned elements should still be adjusted.

When I put it all together, there were some pretty aesthetics, elements of horror done in a fantasy way, a bit of mystery, and undeveloped drama. In my opinion, this creates an almost comic book feel which is not bad, but definitely not what I expected from this film.

We meet Walter as average middle-aged family man and from there we follow him on his ''breaking bad'' journey.

What was initially and only briefly wish for providing for his family turned into greed for money, success, freedom, acknowledgment, excellence and control.

I guess that the crucial moment of this epilogue is moment when he expresses self awareness, yet there is nothing cathartic in this confession. He claimed for entire period of his life as Heisenberg that he's doing it for the family, but the only thing he actually did for his family was destroying it. Only legacy he left was his final confession '' I did it for myself.'' For me this was probably one of the best character development journeys, with an important message, also, for all the people stuck with toxic, manipulative Heisenbergs of their own don't sit and wait till they leave your life in ruins.

Just imagine if Jesse Pinkman has left on time Vince Gilligan wouldn't have to film mediocre 'El Camino' movie just so we can get a closure for this ''my life after narcissist /sociopath'' story. ;)