Director’s Cut is a reminder of what it is like to be a teenager. A Long Island punk band looking to break it big (what’s more punk than wanting mainstream popularity?) finds a music video director (Louis Lombardi, 24) through social media. In a deal that is too good to pass up, he offers to make their video for free on the promise the band will pay him later if they make it big. The day of the shoot, the band finds out that Mr. Director has much more sinister plans for them.
Those who spent spare time during the high school years writing will remember the space spent cramming in as many references as possible. The music, movie, and books you liked were all mentioned. Director’s Cut is like looking back on the stories you wrote during your teenage years. A character wears a Misfits hoodie while the band’s van has a Samhain sticker and flyers of Bad Brains shows. It is a little corny, but it is also cute in a “Hey! Look what cool music I listen to!” way.
What is not as easy to look past is the dialogue. It also will be reminiscent of someone’s youthful writings, but not in a positive way. Lines about keys to someone’s heart and life’s worst disease come are cringeworthy. That being said, the film is about a punk band composed of young people. Everything they say is in character and does make sense in the context of the story.
This may be the strangest thing about Director’s Cut. There is some cheesy dialogue and each kill is essentially the same one, but there is nothing actually wrong with it – though some may take issue with the ending. It just never quite connects on the level that it should. A lack of likable characters and meandering first half are noticeable, but not aggressively bad. In the end, it just is not all that interesting. And that is the worst thing any movie – or band – can be.
Director’s Cut hits select cinemas this Halloween.
