Review: ‘Gigantic’

I’m a sucker for indie romantic comedies. There is just something about the combination of unique characters, weird but sweet moments, and raw emotion that peaks my interest. Apparently film festival programmers are the same way. So after seeing the trailer for Gigantic, and 500 Days of Summer right after, I was excited. I have not seen the latter yet but I recently attended a press screening for Gigantic. I really feel that I misjudged the film based on its trailer, although I still really enjoyed the movie.

Gigantic is not a typical indie rom-com. Sure it has unique characters with some bittersweet moments but what is not shown in the trailer is that there is an unexplained homeless assassin hunting down the main character for most of the film. Although not on screen a lot, by utilizing long lenses, the story is sometimes shown to us as if we are spying from what I assume is that third party’s POV. Some of the people I saw the film with seem to have trouble dealing with this element of the story since it mostly goes unexplained for the film. I didn’t mind it. It shows that this movie is not grounded in reality.

The element of this story that is the most grounded is the main character of Brian, played by Paul Dano. Dano plays the character in a soft-spoken but not awkward manner. Brian is not nervous or uneasy when speaking; he is just a quiet and reserved person. He does not show much emotion and is obviously depressed. For most of the film he is trying to adopt a Chinese baby, I believe because he is looking for a normal relationship and he feels he can start one with a child.

Brian is a mattress salesman and at the start of the film Al Lolly, played brilliantly by John Goodman, comes in to purchase a mattress. After learning of the $14,000 price tag, he agrees but tells Brian not to “jew up the price”. He then explains why it is OK for him to use an expression like that. I really enjoyed this character and loved what John Goodman did with the role. He is easily the highlight of the film, at least for me. Shortly after he leaves the store, his daughter Happy, played by Zooey Deschanel, comes to the store to go over the payment. She and Brian connect and start a relationship that seems to be based on sex. Happy has not really grown up since she still has a child-like relationship with her father so she does not seem mature enough to have a real relationship with Brian.

There are some very funny exchanges of dialogue between these characters, with some of the best coming from John Goodman’s Al Lolly. In addition to the writing, I think Matt Aselton did a great job directing, especially since this is his first film. There are some great shots, such as John Goodman lying in the back of the car looking at the buildings as they drive through the city. I also really liked the look of someone spying on the characters that I mentioned earlier.

Overall, this is a fun and strange little film. It is not exactly straightforward but there is also not a lot of meaning behind it. Don’t try to piece it together and figure out what is going on. Just enjoy the movie and accept the absurd. It is interesting to watch and there are some very funny moments. I think John Goodman’s performance alone makes this film a must see.

‘Gigantic’ [R] opens today in Saint Louis at the Tivoli theatre.

[Rating: 3.75 out of 5 overpriced mattresses]