David Searching
Picture: C-
Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: B-
A young gay documentary filmmaker is trying to figure out
his life while filming it in Leslie L. Smith’s David Searching (1997), a
surprisingly funny, smart comedy about people trying to find themselves in New
York. David (Anthony Rapp) is that
filmmaker, shooting in actual 16mm film (no wonder he has so little money!) and
taking up with a new roommate, Gwen (the always terrific Camryn Manheim) trying
to decide if she wants her divorce or not.
The other angle in all this is that David is having
trouble with his agent, who is trying to set up meetings for him to have a
career break, but he is no help to himself.
Maybe he is afraid of success, but he finds ways to blame the agent in
some odd way. Some funny moments happen
throughout, though the more serious side is his ability or inability to connect
with other men intimately. It is more
of a parallel plot than a subplot and that makes this comedy/drama one of the
few enduring gems of the Gay New Wave that is also a solid independent film
when such a thing seemed more possible.
A fine cast and script makes David Searching a terrific film you
likely missed that you can catch up to now.
Though shot nicely on 16mm film by cinematographer John P.
Schultz, the 1.33 X 1 image does not have the sharpness and clarity it
deserves. This is simply an older
analog NTSC transfer of the material, but the film is so good, that it should
not discourage you from seeing it. The
film was composed with a 1.85 X 1 35mm blow-up in mind, so zooming in with 16 X
9 playback will work for the most part.
The PCM 16Bit/48kHz sound is simple stereo at best and may not have any
surrounds, but is clearer than many Dolby tracks we have encountered,
especially form independent films.
Extras include a brand new commentary track by Smith (also in PCM) that
is very good and was recorded for this brand new DVD release, plus you get a
stills gallery. Be sure to catch it.
- Nicholas Sheffo
