I'm not sure what to think of this film. The premise is not entirely original albeit still somewhat compelling. The casting of a non-actor in the lead role which as it turns out is also apparently the writer/director/producer leads one to think that this film is little more than a vanity project for this person - especially when you consider the number of times we see the writer/director/producer/lead actor's bare butt in the film.
Taking the film on its own merits yields little for an audience I'm afraid as the ham-fisted execution of the amateurish narrative and lackluster performance of the lead coupled with the running time of 100+ minutes and complete lack of chemistry between the lead and his romantic counterpart leaves merely a few interesting performances from the minor characters.
The half-baked story never quite achieves a level of authenticity as it skims the surface of various themes and personal issues of the characters without ever really delving into their inner lives. I had a hard time caring about a single cardboard cutout or cartoon character in the film which is more likely an issue with the writing and direction since I recognized quite a few very good actors in the cast.
Based on the title, I expected something more in the way of a mystical exploration of a small town guy's life through the fascinating "Bushido" Samurai code of ethics but that never seemed to materialize as it all appeared as little more than window dressing. Anyone knowing anything about the tenets of Bushido would more than likely take issue with the lead character's use of narcotics and his Christianity.
Comparisons to other films certainly help to draw attention to the lack of arc with respect to the lead character, Davis, who after trying to unsuccessfully reconnect with his childhood friends ultimately chooses defenestration as his own mother had many years before, checking out the same downtrodden, psychotic loser he is when the present day story begins.
The ending, apparently an attempt at something profound had me scratching my head as did the mishmash of musical styles employed on the soundtrack. The only thing that remained constant and seemed deliberate throughout the film was the apparent narcissism of the writer/director/producer/lead actor who as it turns out never even acted in a film before (as far as I can tell).
In all, an odd little film that more than likely won't make much of a splash beyond Buffalo where it was made.
Taking the film on its own merits yields little for an audience I'm afraid as the ham-fisted execution of the amateurish narrative and lackluster performance of the lead coupled with the running time of 100+ minutes and complete lack of chemistry between the lead and his romantic counterpart leaves merely a few interesting performances from the minor characters.
The half-baked story never quite achieves a level of authenticity as it skims the surface of various themes and personal issues of the characters without ever really delving into their inner lives. I had a hard time caring about a single cardboard cutout or cartoon character in the film which is more likely an issue with the writing and direction since I recognized quite a few very good actors in the cast.
Based on the title, I expected something more in the way of a mystical exploration of a small town guy's life through the fascinating "Bushido" Samurai code of ethics but that never seemed to materialize as it all appeared as little more than window dressing. Anyone knowing anything about the tenets of Bushido would more than likely take issue with the lead character's use of narcotics and his Christianity.
Comparisons to other films certainly help to draw attention to the lack of arc with respect to the lead character, Davis, who after trying to unsuccessfully reconnect with his childhood friends ultimately chooses defenestration as his own mother had many years before, checking out the same downtrodden, psychotic loser he is when the present day story begins.
The ending, apparently an attempt at something profound had me scratching my head as did the mishmash of musical styles employed on the soundtrack. The only thing that remained constant and seemed deliberate throughout the film was the apparent narcissism of the writer/director/producer/lead actor who as it turns out never even acted in a film before (as far as I can tell).
In all, an odd little film that more than likely won't make much of a splash beyond Buffalo where it was made.