[phileysmiley]

<img src="http://parcom.pronetworks.org/images/0314exp.jpg" align="right" alt="explicit ills"></img><font color="maroon">by Larry Richman </font>
<font color="gray" size="1">March 14, 2008 12:39 PM</font>

Films in the Narrative Features Competition at the SXSW Film Festival (or any other, for that matter) often end up on my list of Top Picks when all is said and done, so when I found out that the World Premiere of <em>Explicit Ills</em> would be included in the category this year it set my heart racing.

<em>Explicit Ills</em> was shot in my hometown by fellow Philadelphian Mark Webber. It boasts an incredible ensemble cast including Paul Dano (<em>L.I.E., Little Miss Sunshine, There Will Be Blood</em>) and Lou Taylor Pucci (<em>Thumbsucker, Chumscrubber</em>), both of whom have starred in recent festival Top Picks of mine. I've met Webber, Dano, and Pucci on a number of occasions and to see them together would be a real treat. So my expectations were high.

Although Webber has had great success as an actor (<em>Snow Day, Dear Wendy, The Hottest State</em>) he produced, wrote, and directed this project because it was a story which he was compelled to tell. He did it from the heart, and it shows. <em>Explicit Ills</em> is simply a masterpiece.

The film weaves in and out of the lives of "ordinary" Philadelphians -- kids, couples, and families of all races and classes. From the opening shots of tidy middle class rowhomes transitioning to once-neat houses now fallen into disrepair Webber already appears to be making a bold statement about how our society treats its citizens and how their lives are affected by the state of our economy and attitudes.

Separate storylines essentially proceed independently for a lot longer than one would expect, especially given the latest fare out of Hollywood. Where one would anticipate a <em>Crash</em>-like blending of the characters' lives, Webber holds back. It is left to the viewer to discern how they (and we) are connected. The message is not force-fed. There are no great reveals. Yes, there is a message, but it's not heavy-handed and only comes about with a bit of thought and an open mind. Such care and trust in the audience's own intelligence shows a true sensibility rarely seen in any filmmaker, let alone one this young.

It's always hard to single out individual performances in an ensemble cast. Lou Taylor Pucci's films have held prominent places in recent festivals I've attended. His <em>Fifty Pills</em> had its World Premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. He then starred in <a href="http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/story88070.html" target="_blank"><em>The Go-Getter</em></a>, which had its World Premiere at Sundance in 2007. Both films made my list of 2006-2007 Top Picks.

Paul Dano has worked with Mark Webber before. They co-starred in <a href="http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/story88160.html" target="_blank"><em>Weapons</em></a>, a film whose World Premiere I attended at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, which I chose as one of my Top Picks of the 2006-2007 festival season. Little did anyone know that within a year Dano would go on to achieve worldwide fame, garnering a slew of awards and critical acclaim for his performance in <em>There Will Be Blood</em>.

Others whose names you know include Rosario Dawson (<em>Alexander, Sin City, Rent</em>) whose performance, along with Francisco Burgos as her young son Babo, stays with you long after the end credits. Naomie Harris, Tariq Trotter, Martin Cepeda Jr., Rebecca Comerford, and Destini Edwards also stand out. Even Webber and his mother Cheri Honkala, a well-known civil rights activist in Philadelphia, make cameo appearances in the film's dramatic conclusion.

One of the great strengths of <em>Explicit Ills</em> is in its visual style (and there are many). Each storyline has its own. Lighting and cinematography all take on a different tone for each one. For example, handheld camera predominates in the story of Jacob and Michelle (Lou Taylor Pucci and Frankie Shaw), who spend their days in bed and on drugs. The look emphasizes their frenetic lifestyle. Similarly, another set of characters are showcased with the use of steadicam and long tracking shots. Another features long takes and the use of stationary camera. Each has its own unique color processing -- intense, bright, subdued, or washed out. The soundtrack has special significance to each storyline as well.

I sat with stunned silence as the film ended, both in wonderment at what Webber has been able to achieve as well as in deep thought about what my own role has been in the betterment of society. <em>Explicit Ills</em> will definitely make you think. Whether or not it will lead you to act on your thoughts is up to you.

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NOTE: <em>Explicit Ills </em>went on to win the SXSW Film Festival awards for Best Cinematography and Best Narrative Feature.