Listen Up Philip is relentless story telling based on relentless story tellers. Relentless seems an apt adjective to describe both the characters and the narrative, both of which rarely waiver from their over analytical tendencies and their inability to take a step back. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Listen Up Philip documents the struggles of a rising author who’s disdain of the world around him inspires his work, but at what price?
Philip’s self-destructive nature is nurtured, if not encouraged by his mentor and literary idol Ike Zimmerman, an aging novelist to whom Philp finds solace. Their relationship is the centrepiece of this film which is subtly mocked by the narrator, and with just cause. Their banter is humorous but not for the reasons they would expect, which is the main strength of this film. The archetype of the self-absorbed artist is on full display but Alex Perry (director and screenwriter) makes an effort to not glorify them.
The interesting thing about this film is not that we engage with the characters, but the fact that we as an audience bond over our mutual hatred of them. Much of the story telling is taken care of via a running narration which is cleverly read like the pages of one of Philip’s wankiest books. Even the tone of the narrator makes it impossible to sympathise with the characters. It’s an approach that is refreshing and funny at first, but wears thin as the movie progresses.
I can speak at length about just how alienating and disenchanting the characters are, which is actually the most disappointing part of this film as there is not much else to attach to. We rarely get a glimpse into the lives of surrounding cast who are victims of Philip and Ike’s obnoxious destruction making the style stale and unengaging over time. The same tricks are used so often that the laughs become stale and story doesn’t evolve to compensate.
An easy out would have been a story of retribution for our protagonist but Perry doesn’t take it, although I wish he did. Philip’s vulnerabilities are never justified and the dialogue is pretty hard to take and turns into just words so full of vocabulary but little substance, but maybe that’s the point, and it’s the point that I struggled to take away from this film.
It’s an effort that is not without charm, comedy, great acting and excellent cinematography but when it comes down to it Listen Up Philip ironically comes up short when it comes to story and by the gradual beating down of the entertainment factor that made it such a bright prospect from the start.
Review Score: TWO STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Listen Up Philip screened and was reviewed as part of the 2014 Melbourne International Film Festival.
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