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Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I saw the full length version of Ellie Parker, not the Short. I wish I'd seen the Short! The first thing I thought/commented about this film was that it didn't seem finished. It was filmed in a very amateurish way; hand-held, digital, possibly on someone's phone, lots of background interference/noise. Sound quality and picture quality were poor. Clearly very low budget, to the point that it was almost embarrassing to watch, like you were watching something you shouldn't be, but on the plus side that did make it more personal watching the titular character (Watts) intimately. But it was painful viewing; warts and all with intrusive camera shots, where you thought you should be looking away. The Direction and editing were odd, and the style of the film changed in bits throughout, which also didn't make any sense, it looked like home videos filmed by different people, mashed together. If it was a college kid's exam piece it would have been quite brilliant. The only scene which was in any way poignant was part (not all of it) of a scene with Ellie at the Therapist's rooms… her monologue about not feeling like her life had begun yet and she was still practicing etc. That was deep and profound, for a few minutes.I get that it was a fly on the wall look at the inner workings and ridiculousness, angst and awfulness of trying to make it in LA, I really do get that. I can see that as a show reel for Naomi Watts, the chameleon actress playing the part of a chameleon actress, schlepping across LA to her auditions, it was pretty impressive. However, as a film, it was terrible. I get what it was trying to do, but it was the wrong kind of pretentious, self-indulgent film-making that actually has no substance. Perhaps that is a commentary on the Hollywood machine, right there. Arty types might see nuances and double meanings, like the scene in the art gallery; the art is supposed to mean something really profound but actually it's just ridiculous, but it's not good enough to carry that sort of commentary. You've got to still sit through it.None of the characters were likable, or even had much presence. Jennifer Syme was sweet and natural and had one of the two laughs in the film (slipping on the blue stuff), and it was nice to see her; she seemed to be the only real person really but even she didn't rate a named role! May she rest in peace. Chevy Chase was quite likable and vaguely amusing in his small role.I watched the film as one of Keanu Reeves' back catalogue, and I wonder why on earth he signed on for it; perhaps because of Syme's involvement. Perhaps on paper it was interesting, somehow though, it turned out to be not very original. And messy. Reeves' role was as himself at a Dogstar gig, the footage of which looked superimposed into the film from elsewhere, YouTube or a newsreel. That whole scene was really awkward and fuzzy. I like Dogstar's music but it didn't sound good in this film.There were a few scenes which I just wanted to look away from, Naomi on the loo was one of them, and it was often just that feeling of dread waiting for something horrible to happen. It does make me make me realise how vulnerable jobbing actresses are, and how awful it must be to try to make it – especially in light of recent scandals in the business (Weinstein etc).There was a very brief laugh involving Ellie in the southern belle dress, waiting for her audition in the hotel, but I really wouldn't call this a comedy. That whole audition scene I was thinking "something awful is going to happen," again, a bit like the creeping impending doom of Reeves' Generation Um…? where you're on the edge of your seat for all the wrong reasons.I had no idea what to expect watching Ellie Parker, but overall I can attest that it was not an enjoyable film; I went into it believing it was a comedy, back when I was naïve and the world was still colourful, but I would go so far as to say it was boring and whilst watching it I was just waiting for something to happen and/or it to end. I feel a little jaded by it. I feel it was a waste of time. Perhaps all of that, though, is part of the dialogue of the film. How you are supposed to feel, before as a glittering Hollywood star rises from those ashes. I have no idea. It would explain why some stars are so protective of their position if they've been through all that, but all of us who strive towards something can perhaps relate in some small way to Ellie's travails. Maybe not.I gave this 2/10 as it was so awful, but Naomi's performance and versatility in the film, and her bravery, despite my not liking anything about her character, was actually pretty good. If you are a fan of Naomi Watts you will see her in all kinds of guises here. Dogstar get a point, just because, so 3/10.

If you are a Naomi Watts fan (King Kong, Mulholland Drive) then this is a not to be missed satire that features her at her best. originally a 16-minute short (2001), it was expanded to feature length. It really doesn't have any plot, beginning, meddle or end. It is a stream-of-consciousness type of film showing a day in the life of an aspiring starlet.I found it amazing that anyone could possible put on makeup while driving down the Los Angeles freeway, and the fact that she changes her shoes into boots and changes skirts was even more incredible. Are all Californians that crazy? This quirky little piece certainly shows the range of Watts and, if any of it at all is close to home, that Hollywood lot is weird.

We need the MPAA to create a mandate-Ellie Parker cannot be considered a movie. It seems the easiest conceit of a film plot is making a 'film in a film.' Consider this:you don't need to create sets, they're there already. You can use the director's office, his house, hell, show the casting couch,it's there already for the using! Also you don't have to try as hard, she's playing an actress,she acting, but is she acting in the film or acting like she is acting in the film?Who knows?Who cares!If I had any admiration for Naomi Watts before this I certainly wouldn't now.She has exposed not only her tenuous artifice of her acting and acting in general, she has shown us how foolish we are to devote time and money watching crap fly around on a screen.And I thought King Kong was the coffin's nail...

Wonderful performance of Naomi Watts.What an actress!! You have the feeling that you watch a documentary filmed in real time. Filmed with a lot of humor and sensitivity. It shows us the daily live of a girl who want to become an actress. It made me remember the wonderful time I spent in Los Angeles. I recognized the city, the way of life. I know how difficult it is to live in the city of angels and to try to find your way in Hollywood. How many girls and boys can't frill their dream to become an actor or actress. How many become homeless or become addicted to drugs. It's good that this film is made so that people who want to try it out in Hollywood can see how difficult it is. I want to finish with my great admiration for Naomi Watts. You are wonderful.