Like many an independent feature, "Colin Fitz" sports an impressive cast, displays some real wit and originality, and ultimately has very little reason for being. Robert Bella's debut film would have made a perfectly entertaining one-act play (and probably was at one point).
The title character is a legendary deceased rock star -- the legend goes that he committed suicide by eating bad clams -- whose gravesite invites unusual occurrences every year on the anniversary of his death. To forestall further such problems, Fitz's widow hires two hapless security guards to stand watch over the grave all night. The resulting clash of personalities, as well as a series of increasingly bizarre visitations, form the heart of the dialogue-heavy film.
One of the guards is Grady (Andy Fowle), a beer-drinking regular guy with opinions on everything. He proclaims that Neil Young's recording of "Rockin' in the Free World" brought about the fall of communism and that years from now a religion will spring up based upon the lyrics of John Lennon. His counterpart is Paul (Matt McGrath), a sensitive young man unimpressed with the trappings of security work and appalled by the behavior of the rock star's acolytes. Their boss, hilariously played by William H. Macy, is a self-important rent-a-cop with a fondness for cupcakes.
Among the visitors are the rocker's widow (Julianne Phillips), who decides that Paul has her late husband's spirit inside him.
Bella at least has the good sense to provide a nicely low-key air to the proceedings, and the deadpan comic performances by the mostly talented cast are another plus.
COLIN FITZ
Producers: Robert Bella, Thomas Mangan IV, Baby Shark Inc.
Director: Robert Bella
Screenplay: Tom Morrissey
Director of photography: Henry Cline
Editor: Susan Graef
Music: Pat Irwin
Color/stereo
Cast: Matt McGrath, William H. Macy, Andy Fowle, Julianne Phillips, Martha Plimpton, John C. McGinley, Mary McCormack
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
The title character is a legendary deceased rock star -- the legend goes that he committed suicide by eating bad clams -- whose gravesite invites unusual occurrences every year on the anniversary of his death. To forestall further such problems, Fitz's widow hires two hapless security guards to stand watch over the grave all night. The resulting clash of personalities, as well as a series of increasingly bizarre visitations, form the heart of the dialogue-heavy film.
One of the guards is Grady (Andy Fowle), a beer-drinking regular guy with opinions on everything. He proclaims that Neil Young's recording of "Rockin' in the Free World" brought about the fall of communism and that years from now a religion will spring up based upon the lyrics of John Lennon. His counterpart is Paul (Matt McGrath), a sensitive young man unimpressed with the trappings of security work and appalled by the behavior of the rock star's acolytes. Their boss, hilariously played by William H. Macy, is a self-important rent-a-cop with a fondness for cupcakes.
Among the visitors are the rocker's widow (Julianne Phillips), who decides that Paul has her late husband's spirit inside him.
Bella at least has the good sense to provide a nicely low-key air to the proceedings, and the deadpan comic performances by the mostly talented cast are another plus.
COLIN FITZ
Producers: Robert Bella, Thomas Mangan IV, Baby Shark Inc.
Director: Robert Bella
Screenplay: Tom Morrissey
Director of photography: Henry Cline
Editor: Susan Graef
Music: Pat Irwin
Color/stereo
Cast: Matt McGrath, William H. Macy, Andy Fowle, Julianne Phillips, Martha Plimpton, John C. McGinley, Mary McCormack
Running time -- 87 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 11/10/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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