A Question of Sanity
Freedom State
Review by Ross Anthony

Any film that opens on the day the world ends is likely to capture the attention of its viewers. It certainly grabbed mine. But the film opens with even more flare than just that. Just about every shot is quirkily framed, oddly deadpan, you'll laugh just at the look of the film. And the spinning of the story, respecting and cajoling your ability to figure out what these players throw at you in pieces.

That opening act had me in a free giggling state for fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, once the cat is out of the bag (namely, we as viewers have figured out what the story is about) the picture loses its edge. Additionally, the remaining half of the film has less fresh shots, fewer locations, and a narrower scheme. All of that means less wholesome giggling, and a bit of a drag on momentum.

Just near the end, we're taken back to our main character's home, the strange boathouse. It's refreshing to be there and we realize just how much that location was missed. And not just the location, but the discovering of her relationship (or lack of one) with her husband. Actually, that interaction is sweetly created. The picture could have used much more of it -- developed it more -- and less bus ride. The crazy persons in the boiler room add much less.

The acting is touch and go, the direction very very good for the first 15 of this 58 minute piece. The music excellent throughout.

And I like the premise greatly: a bored, but otherwise normal woman, decides to be institutionally insane in search of passion in life. The crazy people she meets are more the harmlessly eccentric sorts, than the dangerous or functionally challenged -- that perhaps might have given the script some more teeth.

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  • Freedom State. Copyright © 2006.
  • Starring Agrippa Willams, Richard Garfield, Jim Craig, Matt Ludwick, Nine DeJanvier, Harry Lessinger, Katie Bailey, Ry Sherrell, Megan Murphy, Cax Jordan, Suzanne Duval, Payam Karamooz, Hunter Rose Teal.
  • Directed by Cullen Hoback.
  • Screenplay by Cullen Hoback.
  • Produced by Kirk Douglas and David Morrison Douglas.

Grade..........................B (2/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 12-Oct-2006 14:20:49 PDT