Aaron Paul isn't a large man. Not that he's small - what I mean is that he isn't big or overpowering physically. However, his screen persona is definitely bigger than life. He consumes your entire attention when he's on stage - that's why he's an Emmy-award winner for his role in "Breaking Bad" as Jessie Pinkman.
Paul brings that big energy to his latest movie, "Smashed," a tiny-budget, indie directed by journeyman director James Ponsoldt. Ponsoldt is a force to be reckoned with; a true talent who should be quickly rewarded by Hollywood for his understated style and very capable handling of the performances of his actors.
But then again, everyone associated with this film is damned good. Everyone from the supporting actors to the producers who guided this film to a Jury Prize at Sundance, and especially the lead actors like Paul and Mary Elizabeth Winstead who plays her role brilliantly in this sometimes difficult movie about the devastation of addiction.
Basically it's a story about change. Imagine marrying and becoming drunks together. Shared activities can be more than just going to bake sales. Having blackout drunk sessions together counts, right? At least it did for this film couple played by Paul and Winstead until Winstead's character decides to get sober.
The unraveling of this relationship is at the core of this story. It's ably and aptly handled with scenes that tear at your heart with their quietness. Winstead's character wakes up once or twice not sure where she is or how she got there. She loses her car. She loses her lunch. She loses the threads of her life so completely that all she can do is quit drinking and try to find herself again.
Unfortunately that journey can't involve the man she loves because he wants to stay a party hound - he, according to him, doesn't have a problem. He can handle the drugs and alcohol even if she can't. Thus the basis of the dramatic conflict - how do you reconcile a sea change in your wife's life? How do you cope with a new understanding of who you are that doesn't include your husband?
For better and for worse takes on a whole new meaning with this film. Who is better and who is worse, it purports to ask. How do you leave someone you love so much but whose lifestyle is slowly killing you - and him?
Tough stuff to think about.
Even tougher to watch.
But even with the emotional electricity that crackles and shocks throughout this film there's a core
of sweetness and plain honestly that gives you hope for the future. The car scene with Winstead's character and her male friend comes to mind - you'll know it when you see it.
of sweetness and plain honestly that gives you hope for the future. The car scene with Winstead's character and her male friend comes to mind - you'll know it when you see it.The film is dark but it isn't bleak - it's more like watching a rain storm that you can't play in but won't hurt you either like perhaps a hail storm or thunderstorm would. If that analogy's working at all then I hope you're taking my meaning: despite the subject matter, this film won't make you so depressed you hate yourself for going. Paced well, at 87 minutes it just flies by. You meet, fall in love with, mourn and hope for these two confused and struggling characters in an crazy-short span of time. They feel real and fully realized and you like them both. And hate them both. And feel sorry for them both.
Saturday night, at the Regency Rancho Nigel theater, we were privileged to watch the film and then have a Q&A with Aaron Paul, the director/co-writer (Susan Burke is the other writer) James Ponsoldt, and one of the producers, Jonathan Schwartz. All were articulate and charming, navigating questions from the moderator (me) and the enthusiastic audience who all stayed to listen.
It's amazing to me how very nice and funny Paul is in person given the severely damaged characters he always manages to play. I asked him where that came from - his producer, Jonathan, answered for him: "Aaron has a vulnerability that comes pouring out of him even when he's playing bad guys." I thought that really made a lot of sense. The characters are damaged and you dislike them but you also feel terrible for them. Quite a balancing act for Paul and one he manages to pull off seamlessly time after time. After "Breaking Bad" goes away he should have a continued, massively successful career both in features and television.
And I expect to see Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a ton more features soon - she was just terrific.
"Smashed" is playing in theaters everywhere (art houses mostly so you might have to look for it) and has several places to get more information. Facebook seems to be the choice for most up-to-date info. (FB LINK)
Highly recommended.
And kudos to Lorenzo Porricelli and Greg Lenou at the Regency chain for supporting these independent films.
