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List Price: $24.95 | | Label: Ifc
Salesrank: 18131
Released: November 18, 2008 |
| Our Price: $17.45 |
| Used Price: $11.99 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 11/18/2008 Run time: 108 minutes
Description of Mister Lonely:
Following an eight-year hiatus, Harmony Korine returns triumphantly with Mister Lonely, a more traditionally structured drama than his previous experiments, Gummo and Julien Donkey Boy. First recognized for writing the Larry Clark film, Kids, Korine ruled the 1990s for expressing disenchanted youth. As his previous films focused on self-destructive characters, Mister Lonely is a departure though it still points to Korine's interest in the carnivalesque. In this far-fetched fairy tale, a Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna) living in Paris is invited by a Marilyn Monroe look-alike (Samantha Morton) to join her commune of misfits in a remote Scottish castle. Upon arrival, Michael meets the likes of Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavant), Abe Lincoln, Madonna, the Queen of England (Anita Pallenberg), and the Pope (James Fox), who is usually drunk. As a dark romance unfolds between Marilyn and Michael, a second narrative involving missionary nuns in Panama unfolds, revealing stunning footage of them jumping out of planes sans parachutes to test faith. Their airplane is piloted by Father Umbrillo, played by Werner Herzog, who at this point could be called Korine's patron saint. The absurdist, comitragic plot challenges the viewer's suspension of disbelief, and is much less reality-based than Korine's previous movies. His filmic experiments work best when the nuns' story intertwine with the impersonators', presenting deep commentary on faith, embodying another person, and escapism. Throughout, rich color and costuming provide a visually provocative experience. As each film of Korine's is unique in structure and approach, Mister Lonely has been long anticipated and will prod fans to guess what Korine has up his sleeve next. --Trinie Dalton
Mister Lonely Reviews:
This is the dumbest movie ever! 
2009-07-10 - I swear, my husband likes some weird movies, but this time he went too far! This was TORTURE to sit through! Nothing made sense. You'd think as much money and time as movies take to make, they wouldn't waste their time making this crap! Just my 2 cents.
2nd best of 2008 
2009-03-14 - If you can just accept that you're in for some high pretension, this movie turns out to be sweet, moving, and great.
Marvelous film.... !!
2009-01-15 - For those not familiar with Harmony style.. This might be described as an art film. Full of existential ideas.. not giving you answers but helping you to ponder the value and nature of existence. Not done in a sophomoric way. I didn't go see this in the theater cuz even tho a big fan I was a little turned of by the trailer. A commune of impersonators? how could that be good? Rented it and WOW.
The commune idea is only a small segment of the story and more of a backdrop to larger issues. The entire film is juxtaposing scenes of Werner Herzog as a priest and nuns jumping out of a plane without parachutes... but it makes sense. Werner! I love him. Truly loved this film.
A Fragile Gem
2008-12-02 - This film is one of my favorites in many years. I won't elaborate on the plot, as others have adequately covered this. It delves straight into the myriad issues of identity, and does so masterfully. I especially enjoyed the nun narrative that parallels the impersonator sequences. They artfully address the fragility of people's beliefs about themselves both existentially and spiritually; even if that understanding is a denial of sorts. This is one of the most playful interpretations on these themes that I have ever found. While it understandably takes on a sad undertone, as any reflection on identity inevitably does, the film chooses oddly endearing subjects to capture this universal inquiry. I cannot think of a more enjoyable experience while pondering the vagaries of life than I had while viewing Mister Lonely.
Bright Moments in a Patchy Film 
2008-11-29 - MISTER LONELY is that sort of film that pleads to be loved. It has an original concept for a plot, it takes many visual and surreal chances, and it is populated with a lovable cast who seem to be having fun with the process. Harmony Korine both wrote (with Avi Korine) and directed this pastiche about people who, frustrated with reality, live their lives as impersonators of famous people. When it works it is delightful: when it gets bogged down with a self-conscious script it falls flat.
'Mister Lonely' (beautifully depicted in the opening sequences under the credits as a child who cannot be what he is told to be) is a young man who takes on the persona of Michael Jackson (Diego Luna), performing dance movements on the streets of Paris as a busker. He encounters a like person who lives impersonating Marilyn Monroe (Samantha Morton) and before long the two are off to a Highlands commune in Scotland, populated with full time impersonators such as a foul-mouthed Abraham Lincoln (Richard Strange), Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavant), The Pope (James Fox), Father Umbrillo (Werner Herzog), Sammy Davis, Jr. (Jason Pennycooke), the current Queen Elizabeth (Anita Palenberg), Little Red Riding Hood (Rachel Korine), James Dean (Joseph Morgan), Madonna (Melita Morgan), and flying nuns among others. The story is less a plot than a celebration touched with a bit a angst of how the unnoticed people in the world find a source of belonging by embracing imagination.
The film is choppy and loses some of its potential allure from the editing. The cinematography by Marcel Zyskind captures some truly beautiful moments and the musical score by Jason Spaceman with the Sun City Girls adds a lyrical air to this surreal romp. For lovers of Harmony Korine this movie will please. For viewers with limited attention spans (running time is 112 minutes) the film begs indulgence. Grady Harp, November 08
