Listen Up Philip * * *

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This isn't like other films, just like jazz isn't like other forms of music.  Some say Birdman could be considered like that. Personally I didn't much like Birdman and I would consider this much more successful at being…. well….different. It might be because the story is better, the acting is better, the characters deeper, but it could be just the way the director (Alex Ross Perry) has handled the whole thing. Whatever, I remained fascinated by the character Philip (what a beautiful name) throughout the whole drama, which is a quite an achievement because Philip is actually pretty hard to live with, as demonstrated by his partner, Ashley, who wisely disposes of him.

But someone else likes him and the books that he writes (Philip is an upcoming novelist) and that is Ike Zimmerman (an established novelist) who takes Philip in as a kind of prodigy. You know there is something wrong with Ike, you know there is something wrong with Philip, you know there is something wrong with Ashley. In fact you know there is something wrong with every person in the whole drama, yet you put up with them and actually like them. It’s very much like real life. And I guess that’s half the problem with Philip: he seems less willing to accept that we’re all flawed - himself included.

The dialogue and voice over is long and complicated. Nothing is blunt in this film yet all is apparent. Much of the camera work is hand-held, at times giving small concession to steadiness or focus; but it doesn’t disturb or annoy you; probably because you are too fascinated by what they are saying. It should be noted that it is also incredibly funny at times. I’m sure it will be on DVD soon if you miss it. Listen Up Philip was shown at the Melbourne International Film Festival last year but none of the cinemas seemed to pick it up and show it post-festival, so I am glad that ACMI have decided to give it another airing this month.