The sleeper hit of SXSW has easily been The Happy Poet, a locally-shot microbudget feature about a man, a food cart, and a dream. Admittedly, that synopsis doesn't do the movie justice, but in terms of barebones components, that's what it's about. It's handily sold out both of its first two screenings and has one left tonight. The sense of humor is like an ultra-dry white wine that makes you smack the roof of your mouth with your tongue.
The pace is very deliberately patient and quiet in many places. They let many scenes and shots just open up and breathe, and it gives the movie again, the quality of a particularly perfect bottle of wine. So many modern indies just turn into guzzlefests, after which you know you're drunk. In the moment think you're having fun, but the experience becomes forgettable and/or regrettable. The Happy Poet sticks with you well enough that you feel like you can still taste it days later, and are glad for it.
Writer/director/star Paul Gordon plays Bill, a man with uncommon intellect who can't bring himself to submit to an "ordinary" life. He decides to open up an organic food cart called "The Happy Poet" to compete against the flood of indistinguishable hot dog stands littered across Austin. He picks up a following and a couple of assistants, and things hum along nicely. He meets an attractive young woman who digs poetry and what he's trying to do with his food cart. Going further than that would spoil the movie.
The thing I like most about Poet is that it's about something. It puts forward a forceful argument about the power of an individual to affect change in the world. Few films try to do this anymore, and even fewer do so effectively. In a way, the various people and institutions that surround him with doubt and pessimism awaken a sleeping, mostly-vegetarian and organic giant.
The Happy Poet is a movie about progressive ideals beating down the complacency of modern life, and it's a beautiful thing for it. When speaking with the director and some of the cast the other day (to be posted in the coming days), I told them I felt it came off very much like a European movie from the 60's and 70's, but layered with the Austin Slacker aesthetic. A generally quiet man's journey builds and builds to a decisive, life-changing event. That journey inspires you to get going and start up your own "big idea".
The concern from many outside the "Austin local" sphere is that the movie is getting a lot of hometown love for being a locally-shot, locally-crewed endeavor. Every year, there are inevitably a few local productions at the festival that don't do as much for me as others likely because I know no one involved and don't get what the big deal is about. I didn't even friend-of-a-friend know any of these people before interviewing them a few days ago, and the movie fired me up big-time.
The movie is nutritious, delicious, and satisfying to all who have the opportunity to let it open you up to all your vast potential. Even though the music festival has started and downtown has gotten completely nuts, SXSW attendees should make an effort to hit up the final 6:15pm screening tonight at Alamo Ritz. Movies like Poet thrive on grassroots buzz and word of mouth, so this is me doing my part. Go see it, support it, and talk about it.