What I'm Watching #267

In spite of what I might say about different parts of this film, I did like it. Just felt the need to put that on the table up front.

One way to think about "Watercolors" is as a sweet butterfly trapped in a plastic cocoon. It's story is set in the memory of the lead character. The front story is that the lead as an adult is at his first gallery opening with his jealous lover. The lover is jealous of the man's first adolescent love, who is also the subject of the works of art he has on display at the exhibit. Nothing I've told you about this movie so far means anything to the movie and David Oliveras really needed someone to tell him that, someone he would have listened to. The outer story line uses up 5 minutes at the beginning of the film and five minutes at the end of the film that not only bring nothing to the story in the middle, but actually detract from the whole by giving us a character in the boyfriend that is as hollow as a corrugated cardboard stand-up and a whole lot more annoying.

Without this what is left is a descent film with some memorable moments and one that is actually quietly outstanding. Karen Black has a small role in the film and can I just ask, is she bat-ass crazy or just every character she plays? Now, I'm not talking about Sibyl or All About Eve crazy, but more like Norma Desmond crazy? Seriously.... And Greg Louganis also has a bit part. I'm not sure how many takes they ran him through before deciding to settle for what they got, but it is only a bit, so whatever. Skip the first scene, and call it quits when Danny puts the missing puzzle piece in place.