"Gigantic": just another indie film or time well spent? Gigantic was directed and co-written by Matt Aselton and stars Paul Dano, Zooey Deschanel and John Goodman.
Dano plays Brian Weathersby, a weary soul who sells mattresses in an obscure factory room.
He meets Harriet "Happy" Lolly (Deschanel) when her father (Goodman), a crotchety old man with a gay assistant, purchases a $14,000 mattress from Brian's work.
The premise of the conflict is hilarious in and of itself, but serious issues make the film dramatic as well. It is a movie of obsession: their obsession with having sex in public, Brian's obsession with adopting a baby from China and Happy's obsession with finding a new career path every year. The Lolly family is very wealthy and full of their own weighted baggage, which especially weighs on Happy.
When Brian first meets Happy, she looks in pain most of the time, and speaks so softly and demurely that it is hard to pinpoint her emotions, besides the obvious fear and timidity. The two wander around like porcelain dolls, scared to touch each other, scared to break.
On top of this odd relationship, the script is brilliant and chock-full of witty lines. Aselton took a break from filming in Vancouver to speak about the film.
As for Dano, "Paul came first…he wasn't the easiest thing," Aselton said, explaining afterwards that it is not easy to find a woman to play opposite Dano.
But then he found Zooey Deschanel. "They made intellectual sense in a way…we walked around New York City together Both are very intuitive, fast actors."
A role was written specifically for Goodman, who just came back from Berlin. "I kept calling him and bothering him," Aselton said.
Ed Asner and Jane Alexander came onto the project because the script was so different.
"It started with a young man who wants to adopt a baby, creating a multi-generational family."
Dano's character is so much younger than his brothers and parents that "he didn't necessarily have the childhood he wanted." Aselton adds, "He's a bit forsaken."
Zooey's character, Happy, is a different story. "She's as confused as you are about her self," he said. Every time something emotional happens, "she runs for cover…living in denial and not confronting the issues."
Aselton described Happy's relationship with her dad as "umbilical and codependent." He wanted to show her "story of privilege."
The plot is surprising as well, with intrigue on every corner, and, as the tagline says, there are always surprises. 'Shroom trips, mysterious homeless bullies and a fear-defying nude swim are just a few things to expect.
Besides some lulls and confusing moments, the film keeps the viewer at attention, that is if you are sitting inside for a rainy day. The subject matter does take concentration and the right mood.
But the music is especially pleasing, so if not the movie, check out the soundtrack.
Conflicts in the movie are Happy and Brian's individual fears of falling apart, not from each other but from their own selves. Both have screwy families, stunted maturity levels and shaky futures.
Finding the beauty in the mess and the courage through the fear is their saving grace. As Brian's mom tells Happy, "Nothing's beyond repair."
"Gigantic" will be playing at San Diego's Ken cinema on May 15, and will be released throughout the country through the rest of the summer season.
