Simple Men
Director: Hal Hartley
Year Released: 1992
Rating: 3.0
Two brothers (Robert John Burke and Bill Sage) go in search of their suspected terrorist/former baseball pro father in this proto-Godardian, purposely quirky Hartley picture. It takes a certain kind of performer to get close to grappling with Hal's deadpan dialogue and ostentatious style - which is where credit goes to the cast - though I have to admit there's a potent sense of melancholy in this that doesn't surface often in his work. Adding to the atmosphere is Hartley's own score - as "Ned Rifle" - which is pensive and memorable, though I seem to value his musical contributions more than some people.
