90. Living in Oblivion

Living in Oblivion will resonate with anyone who’s ever been on a film set, particularly a low-budget film set. The film is a hilarious and insightful look at the creative process and the impossible world of independent filmmaking. Few filmmakers are more qualified to make a film about the frustrations of this chaotic milieu than writer-director Tom DiCillo, who has made a career of quirky, offbeat, underappreciated low-budget comedies. Living in Oblivion deserves a place alongside such films about filmmaking as Day for Night and The Player.

DiCillo’s talented cast (including indie stalwarts Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, James LeGros, and Kevin Corrigan) also must have relished the opportunity to give audiences an inside view of their process. The redoubtable Buscemi makes us root for beleaguered filmmaker Nick Reve. Dermot Mulroney plays the pretentious director of photography, Wolf, who responds to Nick’s plan to shoot a pivotal dramatic scene all in one shot with, “It’s been done.” At one point, Wolf has Nick look through the viewfinder at his shot of Nicole, the emotionally unstable actress played by Keener. “It’s incredible; she’s coming right through the lens,” he says, and it’s true. Keener is luminous in the role that finally got her some attention. Keener portrays Nicole’s creative breakdown with tremendous skill, as Nick is faced with one setback after another, and helplessly watches all the energy drain from his lead actress’ performance. 

The film’s clever structure breaks the action up into three segments – two dreams and a “real life” scene in which a dream sequence is being filmed. If Living in Oblivion has a villain, it’s blow-dried blowhard Chad Palomino (LeGros), an up-and-coming Hollywood stud, slumming on a low-budget project, and letting everyone on the set know that it’s his world and they’re just living in it. Railing against the “Hostess Twinkie shit” of Hollywood while personifying the worst aspects of same, Palomino is a memorable character, and LeGros gives an indelible performance. Rumors circulated that Palomino was modeled after Brad Pitt, who had starred in DiCillo’s feature debut, Johnny Suede. DiCillo denied the rumors, but regardless, Chad’s attempt to take over the set in the second segment is a comedic highlight of the film.

Another highlight comes courtesy of Tito, the angry dwarf actor portrayed by Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) in his feature debut.

Living in Oblivion holds a wealth of colorful character turns and satisfying little surprises for viewers. In fact, I almost envy all you idiots who still haven’t seen it. (Josh Ralske)