X
- 2008
- R
- IFC Films
- 1 h 25 m
- 2008
- R
- IFC Films
- 1 h 25 m
Summary An unsolved murder at Portland's infamous Paranoid Park brings detectives to a local high school, propelling a young skater into a moral odyssey in which he must not only deal with the pain and disconnect of adolescence but also the consequences of his own actions.[IFC First Take]
Directed By: Gus Van Sant
Written By: Blake Nelson, Gus Van Sant
- 2008
- R
- IFC Films
- 1 h 25 m
- 2008
- R
- IFC Films
- 1 h 25 m
Paranoid Park
6.8
Where to Watch
Summary An unsolved murder at Portland's infamous Paranoid Park brings detectives to a local high school, propelling a young skater into a moral odyssey in which he must not only deal with the pain and disconnect of adolescence but also the consequences of his own actions.[IFC First Take]
Directed By: Gus Van Sant
Written By: Blake Nelson, Gus Van Sant
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
84
85% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
84
85% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
15% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Van Sant is such an assured filmmaker that Paranoid Park is almost inescapably absorbing; he has found a particularly engaging leading man in Miller, whose expressive, even painterly face goes from blank to angelic in the blink of a long-lashed eye.
A haunting, voluptuously beautiful portrait of a teenage boy who, after being suddenly caught in midflight, falls to earth.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 User Ratings
6.8
65% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
23% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
13% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 48 User Ratings
6.8
65% Positive
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
23% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
13% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
A spectacular film with such a nice tone, poetry and elegance with excellent music.
Report
Paranoid Park shows the Portland-based director to be working at the pinnacle of his art in every frame, in every composition. It's breathtaking, heartbreaking, tragic, gorgeous, and true all at the same time.
It's terribly strong -- in structural ingenuity, emotional pull, and particularly visual beauty.
Van Sant has been quoted in recent media reports as being done with the type of filmmaking that these four movies represent. If that's true, then Paranoid Park is a fine summation of what he learned from making them.
The fluid film cinematography of Christopher Doyle and Rain Kathy Li, intercut with grainy Super-8 shots of park regulars, tracks the skaters in their free-flying, free-styling and free-falling grace. In these privileged moments, the film is close to transcendence, defying time, space and gravity.
There's some striking camerawork by Christopher Doyle (in 35-millimeter) and Rain Kathy Li (in Super-8), though this doesn't alter the overall feeling of random, nihilistic drift.
Finally Van Sant again dedicated to one of his experimental projects. The director once again manages to give his best with this thriller set in the world of very young skaters who frequent the "Paranoid Park". The film, with an introspective character, does not follow a linear structure but staggers the chronological order of time, managing in any case to effectively keep the viewer's attention high.
Report
Often when directors become big and famous, they'll lament about having to sacrifice personal projects for the 'big blockbuster,' as if that was some excuse for selling out (*cough*GeorgeLucas*cough*). That's why I have a lot of respect for Gus van Sant, a guy who struck a chord with audiences and critics alike in the late 90s, but flew completely under the radar afterward, writing and directing films that he felt were significant to him. "Paranoid Park" is a perfect example of that - a sort of skater-crime-drama about a kid who is accidentally responsible for the death of a cop. Fortunately the movie doesn't hinge on plot twists, but focuses on the kid, Alex, and how his life is affected before and after. The film is spliced with what looks to be home videos of skateboard footage and is topped off with new and young actors, giving the whole movie an amateur vibe. This turns out to be an advantage - there's nothing that complements the confusion that comes with being a teenager as well as a sense of authenticity. Overall, the movie doesn't pack as much of a punch as "Elephant," or isn't as absorbing as "Gerry," but is likely to stay with you and keep you wondering, "what if that was me?"
Report
Production Company
MK2 Productions,
Meno Films,
Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
Release Date Mar 7, 2008
Duration 1 h 25 m
Rating R
Awards
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
International Cinephile Society Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
