Famed film critic Roger Ebert said that this movie had one of the most disastrous Cannes Film Festival screenings. That right there should tell you what we’re dealing with. 2006’s Southland Tales starred names like Seann William Scott, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Justin Timberlake and most importantly — Dwayne Johnson. Even though this was early on in his career, this surreal whirlwind of a politically-motivated dystopian story was definitely an odd choice for the rising action star.
Corrupt cops, biblical prophecies, disturbing dance numbers, and the apocalypse. Besides all of that, the main story of this movie revolves around Johnson’s character of Boxer Santoros waking up in the desert with no memory of who he is. Before we go any further, it should be noted that this movie was written and directed by Richard Kelly (the same mind who brought us Donnie Darko). That explains some of this movie’s end-of-the-world shtick at least.
Yes, you can say that The Smashing Machine will be Johnson’s first step into a more serious role. He even admitted in an interview with CBS he wasn’t sure if he could take on the role. But in a sense, one could argue that Southland Tales helped open him to initially open up to such a direction in the first place. Between ’01 and ’06, Johnson always played the one-man machine, ready to take on any and all opposition… in a violent manner most times. Not only did this film slow that typecasting down, but it is also a great reminder of a possibly real world that is not far off.
A Strange Tale for Dwayne Johnson
Director Kelly really pushes home the idea of overwhelming government surveillance in this dystopian society. Los Angeles is infested with cameras, propaganda, and puppet officers doing whatever wherever. Respectful political discourse has been replaced with senseless reality television and endless amounts of government-pushed propaganda. It’s no wonder why Johnson’s Boxer is always nervously twiddling his fingers by his face (which is a surprise character trait for Johnson).
This new world regime where privacy doesn’t exist (combined with a self-identity crisis) would make anybody a nervous wreck. Southland Tales proposes the idea that when growing cultures and different ideas become too strong for society, it will overwhelm itself and bottom out — causing more harm than good. In their own unique ways, the two opposing parties here (which are Republicans and Neo-Marxists) are just becoming more prevalent as the days go on. While the ones on the ground are selling bazookas (and other assault weapons) from ice-cream trucks, the white collar class have giant towers plus blimps and other lavish facilities all to themselves.
Southland Tales may also feel like it’s jumping around all the time — and way too fast for its own good. Characters who cryptically reference their actions in the war. An adult film star who is trying to broaden her career. A madman who uses the ocean to create limitless power. It doesn’t stop there, but it also all means something. The insane amount of information you can receive in today’s current society from so many media sources can make your head spin.
On the other hand, this movie’s story can make you dizzy for all the wrong reasons. In order to properly flesh out the main character (Boxer), a prequel comic had to be made. Southland Tales showcases a multitude of genres and not one sticks to the wall. Justin Timberlake partakes in what turns out to be a very grim dance number that you just have to see to believe. If there’s anything that Kelly got right in this film, it’s seen through the ending sequence.
Boxer is the everyman at the beginning of the movie, suddenly pushed into a high-stakes game between politicians and revolutionaries. The climax forces a different perspective, unveiling the fact that the end will spare no one. This frantic thriller — even with its big time rift in the sky (yes, it gets very much into a science fiction sort of space) — reminds us that panic and extreme control is an illusion to get us actually nowhere. This message resonates just as powerfully now as it did back then. Southland Tales is currently available to stream on YouTube, Prime Video and Google Play.
- Release Date
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November 14, 2007
- Runtime
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145 Minutes
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
