Be Kind Rewind
By Matthew Rodgers
Michel Gondry’s last film The Science of Sleep, although luminescent and hallucinogenic in its fantastical elements was quite a difficult narrative to connect with. So perhaps reacting to that apathy after his kudos establishing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind he finds a gimmick with which to weave a whimsical tale of a Capra-esque community in his most mainstream effort yet, Be Kind Rewind.
Jack Black (Nacho Libre, King Kong) accidentally becomes magnetised and subsequently wipes all of the tapes in his buddy Mos Def’s(16 Blocks, Monsters Ball) video store. Instead of confessing all to the owner of the ailing business they decide to make their own lo-rent versions of the entire collection with extremely funny consequences.
Be Kind Rewind is an unashamed nostalgic geek indulgence – “clean the heads” in reference to the old VHS playback problems – that’s about people discovering why they fell in love with movies in the first place. It’s something of a wake up call for the hollow vacuous exploits of the likes of Evan Almighty, Jumper, and The Golden Compass that they should file from the multiplex heads hung in shame.
The obvious enjoyment comes from watching a never better Black – move cuddly loveable than the over-the-top loathsome that permeates his usual outings – and Mos Def – the rapper turned actor has cemented a reputation for successfully mastering peripheral characters in niche genres – together they recreate some of cinemas most iconic movies through the skewed visions and playfully inventive techniques utilised by Gondry. The highlights are the much vaunted twenty minute version of Ghostbusters – “I’m pretty sure that’s the Ghostbusters theme tune” assures Black as he sings an unrecognisable and hilarious take on Ray Parker Jnrs classic 80’s title song – and a seamless tracking shot that depicts the duos efforts from When We Were Kings through to Men In Black. At times it’s bordering on genius and echoes the sentiments of a toast made by Mia Farrow’s character that we need to make “movies with heart and soul”, and Be Kind Rewind has plenty of that.
The reason that this wont be a repeat rental is simply because it abandons the intriguing set-up, which although repetitive at times and reminiscent of a sketch show format is always charming, and becomes a schmaltzy tale of “pulling together to beat the odds and save the day”. It’s a jarring switch in pace that will make you think the tape is caught in the machine and is below the directors palpable abilities. It’s a movie about not conforming to the norm that contradicts itself at times – “We need to adapt to the market” Danny Glover’s store owner utters - and by diluting what was originally alienating to a mainstream audience the film does exactly that.
That is however a minor grumble in a likeable feel good parable with pleasant lead performances and a deft touch of intelligence.
