"Irene in Time" ** (out of ****)Filmmaker Henry Jaglom reminds me of the little engine that could. For 30 years he has been churning out his brand of films, never selling out. Keeping up the good fight on the independent movie scene.
I first became aware of Jaglom when I saw his film "Festival in Cannes" (2002) back in theatres. That has been probably the best film he has made in recent years. Sadly, his latest film, "Irene in Time" (2009) isn't up to his usual standards.
I reviewed Jaglom's last film on here, "Hollywood Dreams" (2007), which also starred Tanna Frederick. I didn't care for that film either. It was a weird hybrid of inside Hollywood satire mixed with a young woman who had sexual identity problems. I said at the time, these were two separate ideas. Now in "Irene in Time" Jaglom and Frederick have focused only on the family problems of their character leaving out Hollywood satire even though the lead character is a struggling artist, all Jaglom's characters are.
Frederick plays Irene. A young singer who cannot get over her relationship with her father. Ever since he and her mother, Helen (Victoria Tennant) divorced, Irene has had a hard time keeping a man in her life. No man seems to be able to compare to her father. No man is able to make her feel as special as he did and understand her personality. In short, the film is about Irene finding a perfect man.
The problem with "Irene in Time", and there are many, is the film never at any moment seems sincere. It is one shallow note. If Jaglom wants to explore the father/ daughter relationship that is fine. It could probably make for an interesting film, but, Jaglom has nothing to tell us. What makes this relationship so special? What insights does Jaglom have for what makes a successful bond between father and daughter?
Watching "Irene in Time" I thought of the Albert Brooks comedy "Mother" (1996) about a man who moves back in with his mother in an attempt to figure out his relationship with women and his mother in general. That movie offered observational humor. It got the relationship between mother and son or really child and parent correct. It was able to make us nod in agreement. "Irene in Time" has nothing to say. It has no moments when we feel a connection with the characters.
One scene has Irene sitting at a table with her female friends who include JoJo (Kelly De Sarla) who has had such a bad relationship with her father she has sworn off men, and JoJo's mother, Sheila (Karen Black). They talk about their relationships with their fathers but their words are so cliche. They say things like "no man will ever love you like your father". That's not insightful or clever. That's pre-school level intelligence. Jaglom should have went deeper. He is given the sole writing credit, perhaps he needed a female co-writer, like his wife, Victoria Foyt. Though it has been said Jaglom's films are usually improvised.
Nothing in "Irene in Time" feels realistic. Each situation feels contrived. Take for example a scene where Irene and her friends are sitting together while JoJo introduces them to her new girlfriend, who comes on to Irene. The two women kiss, just as an experiment. Is this what women do in private? Then the two try to get the other women to kiss. In a porno this would make an interesting scene, in a serious movie, it doesn't work. And that's just one example. I can't explain others without giving away plot secrets.
Another problem with the film is Tanna Frederick. I hate to write something mean spirited about her but she lacks a star's presence. Henry Jaglom apparently sees something in her I don't. They are working on a third film, "Queen of the Lot". Jaglom goes through a lot in these two films to showcase her as a star. But she is too raw. Too inexperienced as an actress to head a movie. Jaglom is putting a lot on Frederick's shoulders by constantly putting her in the lead. She is not a very interesting actresses. I will say however, in her defense, her performance here is much better than the one she gave in "Hollywood Dreams". But perhaps Jaglom should give her co-starring roles instead. I miss seeing his wife, Foyt, in the female lead. She had a more natural presence in front of the camera. Frederick reminds me of every amateur actresses I've worked it. Perhaps she has the ambition and passion but lacks the professionalism needed.
Nearly every other performance is more interesting. Jaglom's regular Zack Norman plays a friend of the family, who tells Irene stories about her dad. He stole the show in "Festival in Cannes". He has a great way of speaking and terrific presence. He belongs in a Woody Allen movie. Tennant as Irene's mother is very good. Much more restrained than Frederick. You kind of wish they would have done more with the character.
"Irene in Time" also has a strange structure. It breaks away from the plot to show us Irene in the recording studio working on her album. The songs serve as a kind of reference point for where we are in the movie. It actually reminds me of "Cabaret" (1972). Making this the only review to mention "Cabaret" in connection to "Irene in Time". Only here I don't find it effective. And I didn't like the songs written by Harriet Schock.
But it seems like I'm beating up on Henry Jaglom. And I'm really sorry to say this film doesn't work. I like Jaglom believe it or not. I just don't find his collaboration with Frederick successful. He is going through too much trouble to make showpieces for her instead of constructive stories. He needs to focus more on the plots and development of his characters. That is what is hurting his last few movies more than anything.
Jaglom is an interesting talent. He should be treasured by movie buffs as an innovative artist. Like John Cassavetes or Mike Leigh his best films offer insights into family and people. And like them his films are largely improvised. I usually dislike improvised dialogue. I rarely find it sounds realistic. But his films actually sound better than Cassavetes. He deserves better than "Irene in Time". I'll see his next film and whatever else he has in store for us but I hope his best days aren't behind him. "Irene in Time" doesn't give me much hope.
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