Shooting Livien (2004)

waste of time

I got this movie because Jason Behr was in it.I guess everyone needs to make a living but I wasted my money. There really isn't a storyline. Just a jumble.I was very disappointed September 23, 2007

Jason what were you thinking

I Loved Jason in the Roswell series but this movie sucks sorry Jason you can do better March 9, 2007

The Real Deal

I stumbled across this film on Showtime, having never heard of it before. I've always been a big fan of films about struggling rock musicians, despite the fact that most in this genre strike a lot of false notes - no pun intended. SHOOTING LIVIEN, however, is the real deal. This little film, filled with gritty, grotty New York locales and subtle, nuanced performances, is completely authentic. It follows the burgeoning career of The Virgins Undone, a fictional NYC power trio fronted by the charismatic but deeply troubled John Livien. Through brief, drug induced flashbacks, the viewer is given hazy glimpses into the childhood trauma at the root of his problems - conflicted memories of his mentally unstable mother, who fostered his early love of music and art, as well as his lifelong idolization of John Lennon. Frequently addled by booze and drugs, Livien is vaguely disassociative, subject to frightening hallucinations and exhibiting strange, sexually inappropriate behaviour. In situations where he needs to assert himself (e.g, when he is on stage), he hides behind affectations that mimic his idol, a pseudo-Liverpudlian accent and (non-prescription) round glasses. Deeply mistrusting of women, he attempts to seduce every one he meets with an odd mixture of aggression and submissiveness. The relationship between him and his mother and her tragic fate (a mystery revealed somewhat late in the film) has left him such obviously damaged goods, that the band's A&R rep, one of his many conquests, (an impressively lowkey Ally Sheedy) observes, "Whatever she did to you, she almost spoiled you for the rest of us."

The stunning Jason Behr is utterly riveting, completely believable and heartbreaking in the title role. If there's any justice in Hollywood, he'll soon be competing with Billy Crudup for quality parts in intelligent films. Dominic Monaghan and Joshua Leonard, as his bandmates, also turn in ingratiating, naturalistic performances. The dialogue and easy camraderie between the three men is one of the film's most authentic elements. Last but certainly not least, the original music is head and shoulders above what usually passes for great rock and roll in films of this ilk (see the lame-o Sparklehorse tunes in LAUREL CANYON as an example of the downside of this musical genre) and the songs sound quite credibly like the music of Livien's supposed main influence, post-Beatles John Lennon.

I can't say enough good things about this one. If you catch it, be sure to watch until after the last credit rolls so you are left with no doubts about an otherwise ambiguous ending. Wonderful.
September 25, 2006

NOPE

I like the Beatles I have all thier records, thanks to my parents, and most of the cd's due to the fact that one day i'm afraid I won't be able to find needles for my record player. But, I fell asleep on this movie. I was tired after work so I thought I would try watching it again the next day. This time I stayed awake, thanks to my husband pinching me, but not even the fine acting and incredible body of Jason Behr could make me think this was a great movie.
John Livien's a dark, morose miserable, confused man, haunted by the images of his mom who commits suicide. His quest it seems is to find the tune to a beatles song his mom loved and to learn the words. Simple John play the darn albums and find the song. Maybe if he had stop doing drugs long enough and being miserable he could figure out his pain lies in his moms suicide and his fathers going on with his life. His propensity towards older women is understandable due to the lost of his mom at such a young age. But the scene where he kisses Ally Sheedy what was that.... not to mention that the women playing his girlfriend looks at least 10 to 15 years older than him. Although, the acting was good why not find an actor that can sing, the story bleak, but a 5 star it ain't. And the reviewer who gives this 5 stars why? Slapping John Lennons image in a movie doesn't a 5 star make. I feel as if i'm missing something in this movie but what is it. September 14, 2006

worth seeing

I really enjoyed this movie. I can't help wondering why we have't seen more of Jason Behr. He gives a very believable performance as a young muscian trying to balance the possible success of his struggling band and his personal demons. The music was wonderful and so was the rest of the cast. It was great to see Ally Sheedy again. What I really love about this movie was the story. Very different, not your cookie cutter bockbuster, seen it a thousand times plot. Also not the type of movie where any actor with a pretty face could fill the main role. Clearly Jason was made to play John, you could really feel how tortured this young man was. If you enjoy seeing very original work with
a very talented cast and great music you will like this movie.
My prediction is that Jason Behr will be a huge star someday.
August 4, 2006

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