S.F.W.

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Sound format: Dolby Stereo

A feckless young man (Stephen Dorff) becomes an unlikely celebrity after surviving a televised hostage ordeal in his local convenience store, but he's unable to reconcile the tragedy of the siege - in which his best friend (Jack Noseworthy) was killed - with the exaggerated version of events peddled by a ratings-hungry media.

Jefery Levy's cult-movie wannabe pairs Dorff alongside relative newcomer Reese Witherspoon in a vicious assault on the contemporary media, depicted here as a soulless entity concerned solely with ratings and money (yeah, so what else is new?). The message is obvious, but Levy and co-scriptwriter Danny Rubin (GROUNDHOG DAY) revel in their own daring: Dorff and Witherspoon play ordinary characters who emerge from an extraordinary situation and are forced to confront their unexpected (and unwanted) fame. However, Levy's unflattering view of modern journalism (symbolized by John Roarke as a variety of thinly-disguised real-life TV celebrities who feed off other people's misery, and Gary Coleman in a fleeting, self-deprecating cameo) seems a little distorted and misleading, though clearly filtered through the lead character's personal viewpoint. Dorff himself is terrific, as always, playing a charismatic and foul-mouthed Everyman, scornful of the manner in which his personal misfortune has been manipulated to feed the expectations of a mindless, sensation-hungry audience. But there are moments when the screeching soundtrack fades abruptly to silence and Levy concentrates on Dorff's haunted face as he recalls key events - good and bad - from the siege, and the friendships that were forged and destroyed under extreme duress. The movie doesn't say anything new, but the execution is invigorating.

Look out for an early appearance by Tobey Maguire as a young stoner who thinks he's died and gone to heaven when he and his buddy (Dana Allan Young) encounter their idol Dorff on an empty street (a truly hilarious sequence). Steve Antin cameos as a news reporter named after his character in the equally odd INSIDE MONKEY ZETTERLAND, helmed by Levy in 1992.

Cliff Spab (Stephen Dorff) and his next door neighbor best friend since childhood Joe Dice are slacker fast food workers. The two of them get taken hostage at the local convenient store along with Wendy Pfister (Reese Witherspoon) and others. The terrorists call themselves SPLIT Image and demand to have their hostage video broadcast on live TV. After killing hostages, the authorities relent and the three remaining hostages become worldwide reality stars during their 36 days imprisonment. Cliff would often say S.F.W. in the face of the constant threats. Joe starts a shootout where he's killed. Cliff and Wendy are the two survivors and become separate media stars.

Cliff is a slacker without a cause. It doesn't make him an appealing lead. His story is meandering and his character is aimless. It would have been great to have Cliff and Wendy together but it takes a long time for the characters to reunite. This movie tries to be a satire on the modern media but it's broad without anything funny. It's mimicry rather than insightful. This could have been interesting with more Witherspoon but it eventually wears out its welcome.

And in the category of most pointless movies; "S.F.W.". A movie that totally fails at trying to make a statement and at leaving a lasting impression.

Guess that in potential this still could had been a good movie or at least one that worked out somewhat better with all of its themes. The right ideas seem to be there, which makes some of the choices the film-makers made with this movie seem all the more odd. The story is told real messy. Characters literally pop up out of nowhere and then disappear again and the story is lacking a real point and a good clear main plot line.

The movie basically tries to be a social commentary about today's youth (well 1994's youth of course but it's not like much has changed ever since) and the influence and behavior of the media. Problem is that for a commentary the movie isn't either edgy or clever enough. Also as a comedy/parody it falls terribly short.

Thing that still kept this movie somewhat going for me was Stephen Dorff, who was perfectly cast for his role. His characters was about still the only good and interesting thing about this movie. Reese Witherspoon and Jake Busey are also in this movie but I wonder why. It's not like their characters get to do much in this movie.

Another thing that makes this movie disappointing and lacking is its rushed ending. Basically it's one big long montage and feels terribly out of place. It's as if they were saying; we still have a whole other story to tell but we haven't got the time or money to do it, so here is a fast montage of things. Needless to say, it doesn't work out all that well.

I really can't think of any good reason why anyone should ever watch this movie. It's such a pointless and poorly executed one.

5/10

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