Vincent Gallo

I have recently been watching films by or with Vincent Gallo, or both. I first saw Essential Killing which i thought was great: very directed and lean. Gallo's animalistic, muted performance fitted the somewhat minimalist nature of the narrative.

I then saw the Coppola film Tetro. It was no doubt a good film but didn't strike me in the same way Rumble Fish did, which is still my favorite Coppola film. It told a good story and developed a compelling family dynamic. Furthermore it is a beautifully shot film with deep contrasts in the black and white images.

Then I got round to seeing the film I was most anticipating of the lot: Buffalo '66. I was truly blown away. Rarely have I seen a film so well crafted and thought out. I understand this may well come from Gallo's self-asserted role as a true auteur and his decisive vision of the film but for me the result is one of the most rewarding American independent films I have ever seen.

I have still to see The Brown Bunny which I am somewhat hesitant about and his more recent film as director Promises Written in Water which I unfortunately cant get hold of for love nor money. But I will. Somehow.