Review: ‘Slipstream’

“A dream within a dream,” a poem by Edgar Allen Poe, a line and a strange influence on this film that is mesmorizing and pleasing but also deeply cerebral and totally wacked. Anthony Hopkins stars as Felix Bonhoeffer, a screenwriter working on his latest mystery script, when his fictional world and his world of reality begin to collide, jumping in and out of time, people, places and events are playing leap-frog and he begins to question his own sanity. The story unfolds in a way that for many will be difficult, if not impossible, to fully comprehend after the first viewing. Much like many David Lynch films, I feel Slipstream will only improve with further viewings.

If nothing else, Slipstream is a really cool and intense visual joyride. The cinematography combines virtually all facets and styles imaginable, the editing is creatively stunning and also effective, given the intent of the film. The movie is mostly dramatic, but at times is humorous, and even a little frightening at moments. The story has elements that clearly play sarcastically upon Hopkins’ experience with making Hollywood movies. However, Hopkins’ story primarily delves into the mind of a writer who on some level is no longer in control of the very mind that is creating the story. Make sense? Exactly. Oh, did I also mention that Hopkins not only starred in the film, but also wrote, directed and composed the music for Slipstream? I was impressed. Then again, not everyone gets to go around with business cards reading Sir Anthony Hopkins.

I found Slipstream to be an exploration of a writer’s mind equivalent to Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, except with less drugs. The supporting cast also offers a great deal to the story, with virtually every actor playing at least two parts, all of which intermingle within the story. Jon Turturro, Michael Clarke Duncan and Christian Slater are among the sizable cast. Hopkins talks rather modestly in the Dreaming Slipstream featurette about his wife suggesting he write a movie, to which he replied he really didn’t have a desire to or even if he could. Well, this is one helluva writer-director debut, especially for someone as reluctantly willing as he claims to have been. Altogether, Slipstream isn’t the greatest film you’re going to see, but it is definitely worth taking in once, but likely twice, if you want to get the full effect. I did, bask-to-back actually, and it was certainly worth the effort. [Also, I recommend watching Slipstream all the way through to the end of the credits. Hopkins adds some little artistic bonuses for the viewer.]

[rating:3.5/5]

DVD Features:

• Audio Commentary with Anthony Hopkins (yeah, you better watch this!)
• Dreaming Slipstream, making of featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• Previews (for other movies)