Ellie Parker

Thursday June 9, 7:15pm Neptune Theater
Saturday June 11, 2:00pm Neptune Theater

"There was my brother with my Barbie in his hand, and her hair was on fire! …Do you think Meryl Streep had to do this shit?"

Beyond a doubt the funniest films I’ve seen at SIFF this year have been Chaplin and Ellie Parker. A rave from the guy who hates everything was enough to get me into The Neptune tonight, thanks N.P. The considerable buzz on this one made it a must see. Just before Scott Coffey came down to introduce his film who pops in the left side door and into their aisle seats but that Big Freaking Bill and Mrs. Gates! Murmur, murmer.
Ellie Parker is a smeared red lipstick and turquoise ice cream mess, driving from one audition to another. Like the rest of the throng she wants to be an actress. Naomi Watts as Parker does a sensational sendup of Nicole Kidman bad southern accent and all in a big purple hoop skirt for a group of comatose European filmrats, gets groped by her loser agent, hangs out with the monkeys at the zoo then acts like a monkey in her method acting class. When her gal pal challenges her to a crying contest as they drive around I thought I’d lose it! She’s a high strung, bundle of acting ambition, bad acting. The car stuff is as LA as it gets. There's even a shot behind the Hollywood sign as Ellie and her friend sit pondering their existance. Coffey said he "wanted to get right in her face with the camera," and does, sleeping one off in her car drooling in the back seat, caught standing in an enormous garbage can as friends drive by and constantly rehearsing lines behind the wheel. Watts is beautiful and funny. I can't wait for Ann Darrow but I hope she does more silly stuff like this, I’m not a fan of video and it’s low production values but who cares! Too bad for you if you missed this one. There is a second screening Saturday afternoon. I predict a sellout.