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  • 2006
  • 1 h 13 m
  • 2006
  • 1 h 13 m
The Decay of Fiction

Summary An experimental film in the truest sense, The Decay of Fiction makes use of two traditional cinematic practices in juxtaposition. The film is first a journey through a historic hotel in Los Angeles, empty and awaiting demolition. Within these spaces will be set a series of dramatic encounters with characters who might all have been prese...

Directed By: Pat O'Neill

  • 2006
  • 1 h 13 m
  • 2006
  • 1 h 13 m

The Decay of Fiction

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
74
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary An experimental film in the truest sense, The Decay of Fiction makes use of two traditional cinematic practices in juxtaposition. The film is first a journey through a historic hotel in Los Angeles, empty and awaiting demolition. Within these spaces will be set a series of dramatic encounters with characters who might all have been prese...

Directed By: Pat O'Neill

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
74
83% Positive
5 Reviews
17% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 6 Critic Reviews
74
83% Positive
5 Reviews
17% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
88
The result is hypnotic.
By Maitland McDonagh FULL REVIEW
88
An acid trip of a movie about a piece of Los Angeles history that exists no more: the Ambassador Hotel.
By V.A. Musetto FULL REVIEW
80
If there were more experimental films as entertaining as The Decay of Fiction, Pat O’Neill's luminous Hollywood ghost story, the notion of a thriving avant-garde cinema might not be so intimidating to the moviegoing public.
By Stephen Holden FULL REVIEW
70
The Decay of Fiction is less a narrative than a monument. In its abstract movie-ness, this 74-minute carnival of souls exudes a wistful longing to connect, not so much with Hollywood history as with the history of that history.
By J. Hoberman FULL REVIEW
70
O'Neill showed in his 1989 "Water and Power" a poetic feeling for human evanescence in relation to southern California locales; here he proves equally astute at showing how our sense of history becomes tainted by and entangled with Hollywood myths.
By Jonathan Rosenbaum FULL REVIEW
60
The attention given to constructing each shot makes for a hypnotic visual experience, while lack of a progressive narrative telescopes film's running time into infinity.
By Deborah Young FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Release Date Sep 22, 2006
Duration 1 h 13 m
Genres
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Awards

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
L.A. Outfest
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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