Seduced-and-Abandoned-alec-baldwinThe art vs. commerce dichotomy of the world’s most famous film festival is explored and analysed in a thoroughly entertaining fashion in the form of behind-the-scenes industry documentary, Seduced and Abandoned. Much like Behind the Candelabra this summer, UK cinema-goers are once again in the enviable position of watching yet another excellent HBO made-for-TV film on the big screen.

Seduced and Abandoned begins as a study of the Cannes experience with guides James Toback and Alec Baldwin (project director and producer, respectively) as they hit the pitching circuit with an hypothetical film. They are seeking financial backing for an intended reworking for the Bernardo Bertolucci classic Last Tango in Paris, this time set in contemporary Iraq and with Baldwin in the lead. The duo spin ideas of including challenging sexual material to try and motivate potential financiers, but there is little interest, particularly when the name of the agreed co-star of the project, Neve Campbell, is mentioned. She appears to hold zero commercial value, and alternatives suggestions for her part range from the fanciful to the absurd.

Their various business meetings are humorous and fascinating (both Baldwin and Toback are excellent raconteurs) and those sessions throw up some illuminating truths about the modern state of the Hollywood factory. Toback’s loose style and approach allows for lots of great content, and soon the film swells into a broader, absorbing essay on the art and process of filmmaking. There are a number of shrewd anecdotes from a whole host of contributors, including old guards Martin Scorsese, Roman Polanski and Francis Coppola, but Toback also allows for a younger (less jaded) perspective from the likes of Jessica Chastain and Ryan Gosling (who is an absolute hoot here).

This is a classy documentary with much to say about the changing face of cinema, and Baldwin and Toback make a decidedly interesting odd couple which helps to really make the material sing. They have a fabulous rapport together, and a film comprising solely of their one-to-one musings (sprinkled throughout the narrative) would make for an equally entertaining film in itself.

Seduced and Abandoned is a film which will perhaps resonate more deeply with a cinephile crowd, but it’s still a supremely entertaining glimpse behind the emerald curtain of show business for those with even a passing interest in the industry. When any subject matter is given as much love, romanticism and reverence as what’s on display here, it’s hard not to get completely sweep up in that world.

[Rating:4/5]

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.