Mumblecore - a new breed of independent cinema?

johnny_ultimate

I can't count the amount of times I've heard people criticising a film because 'nothing happens'. It's a valid complaint on one hand, but do 'things' necessarily have to happen in a film? Does a good film need to be full of drama and excitement? Yeah, many of them most certainly do. The purveyors of 'mumblecore' would possibly argue no, but more than likely they just wouldn't really care.

Mumblecore is a word I only heard for the first time a few months ago, after checking out Greta Gerwig's filmography after watching Greenberg. It's a general word to try describe a 'movement' of sorts in American independent cinema at the moment, although movement suggests it's more organised than it probably is in reality! The films tend to be defined by ultra low budgets, very minimalist visuals and delivery, often amateur actors, 'naturalistic' dialogue (often putting the mumble in mumblecore), and in many cases a lack of the typical drama you'd expect from films. They are almost closer to documentary style than feature films - it's often like the camera is just another friend, hanging out with these twenty/thirtysomething characters as they just, well, live!

A few directors and actors crop up again and again in these films - the Duplass Brothers (directors of the Puffy Chair / Baghead, with Mark acting in the likes of Hump Day and Hannah Takes the Stairs too), Greta Gerwig, Andrew Bujalski (director of Funny Ha Ha, Mutal Appreciation, and acts in many of them too) and Joe Swanberg (director of LOL and Hannah Takes the Stairs).

I'd seen a few of these films - The Puffy Chair and Hump Day - without knowing that these guys actually have made quite a few films over the last few years. I'm slowly working my way through the back catalogue now - have recently watched Hannah Take the Stairs and Funny Ha Ha. Both tell of post-college young women (Greta Gerwig and Kate Dollenmayer both great in their respective lead roles) drifting between jobs and relationships. They are both very good, although Funny Ha Ha is particularly effective. Their delivery - simple, natural and almost improvised dialogue without contrived drama - definitely reflects the reality of contemporary life and 'romance' better than a thousand Hollywood rom-coms.

Any more fans out there? These films aren't for everyone - their amateur delivery is likely to irk some. Many of them feature actors making mistakes, left in for the sake of realism - although more convincing than Ed Wood's similar approach :P. And yeah, it could be argued that 'nothing happens'. But these are films that revel in the ordinary, comfortable in reflecting the unexciting lives the vast majority of people live. This makes them easy films to relate to for viewers of a similar age to the makers. If you're interested in checking out some of their films, The Puffy Chair and Funny Ha Ha are two particular highlights.

'Mumblecore' (to reuse the silly but catchy phrase) feels like truly independent cinema - a group of friends making films with little more than a camera and a microphone. For anyone looking for a break from the norm, many of these films are a pleasant substitute. Again, not going to appeal to everyone, but is definitely a welcome change of pace for anyone who is up for a healthy dose of nothing!

storm2811

Nothing happens in them?
I wouldn't read a book in which nothing happens so I probably wouldn't watch a film in which nothing happens.
I'll give it a go though,what would you recommend?

johnny_ultimate

storm2811 wrote: »

Nothing happens in them?
I wouldn't read a book in which nothing happens so I probably wouldn't watch a film in which nothing happens.
I'll give it a go though,what would you recommend?

Nothing happens in the same way Seinfeld is a show about nothing A lot of the films are basically snapshots of a character's life over a few days or weeks. Stuff does happen - relationships, jobs, break ups, awkward moments etc... - but it's more the delivery that makes it feel like 'nothing happens'. They are mostly free of the extraneous, OTT drama that defines most storytelling. Imagine a camera crew filmed you for a fairly standard month - kind of like that.

If you want to start with some, Hump Day (a far superior take on 'bromance' than I Love You Man), In Search of a Midnight Kiss and The Puffy Chair (two unusually honest rom coms) are good examples of the style and delivery, and they are all positively action packed compared to some of the others Funny Ha Ha is a personal favourite so far too.

Renn

It's not that nothing happens, it's more that it's a tranche de vie where things still do happen. Maybe the best example is The Puffy Chair for the 'stuff happening' part. I'd probably start with that and see if you like it. Others I'd go along with include Quiet City (if you're a fan of Before Sunrise this is for you), In Search of a Midnight Kiss (once again, similar to some Linklater stuff), Funny Ha Ha (Bujalski's best imo), Humpday and Baghead. I wasn't mad on Mutual Appreciation but Beeswax was an improvement on this. Definitely take Funny Ha Ha out of his three.

One to avoid is The Pleasure of Being Robbed.

Anyway, there's a few to get you going.

Renn

I'm too slow.

johnny_ultimate

Renn wrote: »

I'm too slow.

Pretty much exactly the same time

Renn

Btw Johnny, this article might interest you if you haven't already read it.

storm2811

Right,I'm going to watch HumpDay soon and I'll be back to say what I thought of it!

MrSir

I really want to see these movies not sure where to get them though.

Renn

*shifty eyes*

johnny_ultimate

MrSir wrote: »

I really want to see these movies not sure where to get them though.

I've gotten a few of them off amazon - Hannah Takes the Stairs and Funny Ha Ha. HumpDay is easily available too, and I believe The Puffy Chair is too (I have an American copy). I'd imagine you'd get In Search of a Midnight Kiss easily enough, have deffo seen it around. Plus, it's on BBC 2 on Saturday

Let's not get into alternate methods. Alas, many haven't got a region 2 release yet. Dying to see Baghead particularly!

S.M.B.

I really enjoyed Hump Day but fell asleep during Beeswax.

Funny Ha Ha, Mutual Appreciation and Hannah Takes the Stairs can all be viewed online via my LoveFilm account. Is this available in Ireland?

Funny Ha Ha is next on my list.

Oink

storm2811 wrote: »

Nothing happens in them?
I wouldn't read a book in which nothing happens so I probably wouldn't watch a film in which nothing happens.
I'll give it a go though,what would you recommend?

How about The Naked Island (Hadaka No Sima)?

If you want a good movie with nothing in it, that's the one for you .

It's also a silent movie, so I don't know how much more of nothing you can get. Oh wait, I think there is ONE word spoken at some point.

storm2811

I thought HumpDay was alright,not great though.
Are there any short films in the mumblecore style?
I've gotten really into short films recently!

Renn

Dance Party USA?

MrSir

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I've gotten a few of them off amazon - Hannah Takes the Stairs and Funny Ha Ha. HumpDay is easily available too, and I believe The Puffy Chair is too (I have an American copy). I'd imagine you'd get In Search of a Midnight Kiss easily enough, have deffo seen it around. Plus, it's on BBC 2 on Saturday

Let's not get into alternate methods. Alas, many haven't got a region 2 release yet. Dying to see Baghead particularly!

Dying to see Baghead myself. I would get them off amazon but I don't have my own account and I don't want to use my dads because it makes me feel like a horrible person using his money. Looking forward to catching In search of a midnight kiss thanks for the heads up. I really wish things didn't cost money sometimes.

Renn

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MrSir

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You're a sneaky man Renn but I like it.

johnny_ultimate

MrSir wrote: »

Dying to see Baghead myself. I would get them off amazon but I don't have my own account and I don't want to use my dads because it makes me feel like a horrible person using his money. Looking forward to catching In search of a midnight kiss thanks for the heads up. I really wish things didn't cost money sometimes.

Yeah decided to order off Ebay last night, got a sealed copy for a tenner P&P which isn't bad! Looking forward to it.

MrSir

Renn wrote: »

removed

Looks like the jig is up Renn.

johnny_ultimate

Just another heads up that In Search of a Midnight Kiss is on BBC2 tonight at half eleven. A good start for this kind of film - a super low budget romance that definitely brings to mind the like of Manhattan.

Valmont

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Just another heads up that In Search of a Midnight Kiss is on BBC2 tonight at half eleven. A good start for this kind of film - a super low budget romance that definitely brings to mind the like of Manhattan.

Your timing is almost heavenly. I just watched Andrei Rublev and am in need of something like Funny haha!

L'prof

There's a list here as well as more information on it.



Feel free to delete if it's too listy, or whatever.

johnny_ultimate

Valmont wrote: »

Your timing is almost heavenly. I just watched Andrei Rublev and am in need of something like Funny haha!

I went through a Tarkovsky phase a couple of years ago, and the exhaustion still hasn't worn off I have Rublev upstairs to watch for around two years, but have yet to be in the mood for it! ISOAMK is a nice antidote, enjoy! Was at a talk in the IFI by the director and writer when the film was released, and I was impressed how much effort they put into it with almost no money (they had to pretend they were filming a wedding video for some parts of the shoot). It's light, but pleasantly honest and realistic.

Valmont

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I have Rublev upstairs to watch for around two years, but have yet to be in the mood for it!

haha! I've had it for three months and when I woke up this morning with the house empty I knew it was time. It's actually goes at a quite a pace compared to Solaris so the time flew by.

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

ISOAMK is a nice antidote, enjoy! Was at a talk in the IFI by the director and writer when the film was released, and I was impressed how much effort they put into it with almost no money (they had to pretend they were filming a wedding video for some parts of the shoot). It's light, but pleasantly honest and realistic.

What a great film. I think you hit the nail on the head earlier when you said:

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Their delivery - simple, natural and almost improvised dialogue without contrived drama - definitely reflects the reality of contemporary life and 'romance' better than a thousand Hollywood rom-coms.

I liked this and Funny haha because they are so opposed to the usual (not all, mind you) Hollywood love film. They are gritty, raw, and slightly tragic and most of all the characters are believable, not like some Jennifer Aniston type non-entity. I'm going to pick a few up on Amazon to add to the collection right now!

MrSir

Just watched ISOAMK. Look's up Amazon. Bankrupts himself by purchasing all Mumblecore films. Loves them all. Dies happy.

johnny_ultimate

My copy of Baghead just arrived in the post I'm considering having a mumblecore fest tonight - In Search..., Baghead, Puffy Chair. Woo!

Valmont

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

My copy of Baghead just arrived in the post I'm considering having a mumblecore fest tonight - In Search..., Baghead, Puffy Chair. Woo!

Report back with recommendations!

duckworth

I was originally put off by the ridiculously annoying americanism ' Mumblecore'. Bleugh.

Anyway, I got over it and watched Baghead. I like it, although I've heard this is the most accessible and probably the best of the bunch. I don't think I'd work my way through the lot of them.

I do like these aesthetic movements though - like Dogma 95. I find the whole idea very interesting.

MrSir

Yes please come back with recommendations!

Valmont

duckworth wrote: »

I was originally put off by the ridiculously annoying americanism ' Mumblecore'. Bleugh.

An absolutely disgusting epithet for what are essentially independent movies about different things. After watching In Search of a Midnight Kiss I decided to never use the term again. If you really think about it, it is quite a derogatory term using "mumble" when the films, if anything, mumble far less than the usual Hollywood romances.

johnny_ultimate

Valmont wrote: »

An absolutely disgusting epithet for what are essentially independent movies about different things. After watching In Search of a Midnight Kiss I decided to never use the term again. If you really think about it, it is quite a derogatory term using "mumble" when the films, if anything, mumble far less than the usual Hollywood romances.

Yeah mumblecore isn't an ideal word at all: it's catchy and memorable but that's about it. The actors do tend to 'mumble' their lines quite a bit, but would hardly be the defining trait of the movement. I guess it does do to group the films together, but definitely not as effective as say Dogma 95 (which was a far more organised, purposeful aesthetic movement) as a label.

duckworth

It's the 'core' part that annoys me, rather than the 'mumble'. Just one of those stupid lazy americanisms thats currently en vogue. There is a 'slowcore' movement in music. Kind of like how everything is xxx-gate when its a controversy.

Its just one of a million other absolutely inconsequential things that annoys me way more than it should.

johnny_ultimate

Heh. 'Gate' annoys me far more than core though!

Guessing you're a fan of 'shoegaze' than

johnny_ultimate

Just watched Baghead, another fantastic film. Kind of a film about this whole movement - embracing and critiquing the slack principles of these movies. Typical low key dialogue, performances and production values. However, this one has a clearer structure (occasionally working within the confines of a traditional horror movie) and points to make. It's about reality vs fiction, and pretty much how directors like the Duplass Brothers go about trying to bridge the gap.

It's also very funny, and surprisingly touching towards the end. One of the things I love about these films is how they have characters you can relate to, and are realistic as opposed to the shallow caricatures that dominate way too many movies.

The final scene in the hospital plays more seriously than what has come before, and it works.

I'd say Baghead and the Puffy Chair are definitely two of the standout films - while some of the other directors make films that are purposefully uneventful, the Duplass Bros. reflect many of the principles while still making more traditionally dramatic works.

Anyway, definitely worth checking out! I now eagerly anticipate the arrival of their next, and first relatively mainstream, film Cyrus, in September. Seems to be getting good reviews (staying loyal to the 'mumblecore' ideals while working with bigger names), but I'm concerned about the presence of the ever annoying Jonah Hill. Here's hoping we can trust the Duplasses! Plus, Catherine Keener.

duckworth

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Guessing you're a fan of 'shoegaze' than

Aaaagh!! Stop it!!

Renn

Valmont wrote: »

Report back with recommendations!

From page one

johnny_ultimate

Watched Mutual Appreciation last night, and loved it. Perhaps I just have a weakness for these films, but I was once again fascinated by the characters Andrew Bujalski and his cast created. Identical in terms of storytelling and style to Funny Ha Ha (including a brief role for Kate Dollenmayer, who rocks), it's another awkward, dare I say 'realistic' relationship drama, and a very funny comedy to boot. Definitely recommended!

Think I'll check out Beeswax and Quiet City, then call a temporary halt to my overconsumption of these films!

Renn

I really liked Quiet City, as I was saying, if you liked Before Sunrise then you'll most likely enjoy this. Get past the 'OMG' and 'Like's' and there's loads there to love.

As for MA, dunno, bored me lots but it's 6 months since I watched it and I can't remember a whole lot. Just know that Funny Ha Ha was the better of the two, and Beeswax.

Miguel_Sanchez

I really enjoyed Mutual Appreciation - while the zero plot can put loads of people off (I have a friend who has tried three times to watch it and fallen asleep every time) it has a low-key charm that I find endearing.

Justin Rice slowly wins you over with that goofy smile and the whole film serves as an alternative to the "one of those summers" movies that we see so often. Nothing extraordinary happens, no big secrets are revealed and nobody learns too much about themselves - it's all pretty mundane.

Anybody who has spent a summer drifting about in a directionless manner will find something they recognise here - drunken calls to an ex, winding up in houses and parties where you know nobody, sitting in kitchens talking about nothing.

I think I preferred it to Funny Ha Ha, although that has a lot going for it too.

I was disappointed when I saw the Puffy Chair, I didn't think it was as enjoyable as Mutual Appreciation, Funny Ha Ha or Quiet City - maybe because it actually had a plot.

johnny_ultimate

Yeah Mutual Appreciation was as good as Funny Ha Ha for me, although I prefer the latter because I can probably relate to the protagonist in FHH more (new graduate, sort of randomly drifting around!). As Jeff said Mutual Appreciation is just so enjoyably mundane I still got drawn into it. Random house party scene was, well, random but good fun all the same. I'm all for dramatic exaggeration when it suits the film, but I'm finding these films of almost plotless arsing around a pleasant relief. The fact they're so honest and easy to relate to helps a lot.

Valmont

I watched The Puffy Chair last night and although I enjoyed it, I was slightly disappointed. The girlfriend represents everything I find annoying in a partner and just when I felt the film was really peaking, it just seemed to end. I felt they could have fit another story in or developed the relationships a bit more. If it wasn't for the brother I don't think it would have been any good really as he had all the charisma and charm. Anyway, I'll check out Mutual Appreciation next and see how that goes. I'm slightly afraid that I've seen the best the genre has to offer in Funny Ha Ha and In Search of a Midnight Kiss.

johnny_ultimate

Must watch the Puffy Chair again to see if it stacks up - has been around two years since I watched it. Duplass Brothers definitely seem a little more focused on plot than others. Baghead's great, and very different, but again more 'focused' than Funny Ha Ha et al.

Hannah Takes the Stairs is another meandering one (with Andrew Bujalski in a main role, and a superb Greta Gerwig as Hannah) for anyone looking for something else. Definitely not as good as Bujalski's directorial stuff, but similar style. The director Joe Swanberg gets much more mixed reviews than some of the other directors in general, so not sure I'm all too interested in pursuing his other works like LOL.

johnny_ultimate

Finally got around to watching Quiet City last night, absolutely loved it. It's basically a less action-packed version of Before Sunrise / Sunset, and those weren't exactly action-packed to begin with :pac: It's a romantic film almost completely devoid of the romantic cliches of Hollywood, and it works beautifully. It's a great achievement - a simple story told naturally and realistically, with Katz as director and writer simply taking his time, in no rush to force these characters together, and an ending which is perfectly satisfactory. This and Funny Ha Ha are the two films that truly achieve the naturalistic and character based storytelling they set out to achieve.

Now, after Dance Party USA and Beeswax over the next week, I'm done, I swear