Between Something & Nothing (2008/Water Bearer DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C Film: C+
Art
school and hustling collide in Todd Verow’s ambitious Between Something & Nothing (2008) and though it does not
totally succeed, it is a change (gay relationships notwithstanding) from the
usual tired, slacker, art student clichés.
The story of the two male leads who have to juggle their friends and out
of control needs (including drugs and rent boy moments) has some character
development.
However,
it cannot escape clichés and feeling at times like Fassbinder’s Querelle (1982) when all is said and
done, finds itself not being able to come to any conclusions beyond the obvious
in said relationships. The actors are
actually not bad and some of the eroticism is bold in context to the narrative,
but it does not take some of the situations seriously enough and once it starts
to loose ground, cannot get it back together.
However, Verow is getting better as a director and for those interested,
they’ll still find it worth a look.
The
letterboxed 1.78 X 1 image is soft and detail-challenged, with some good color,
but has some good shots and makes me wish Verow would get the money to shoot on
film. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound has
some location audio issues and is barely stereo at times, but the recording is
not bad overall. Extras include deleted scenes,
outtakes (both of some interest) and a trailer.
- Nicholas Sheffo
