Such a curious predicament to be in for an indie filmmaker. You cast an emerging performer, with equally potent mixes of grace and charisma, as an underground Rock god who undoubtedly would be one beautiful tantrum away from catapulting from the club scene to arena rock status. But the thing is, this character — let’s call him Frank (and let it be known that he’s played by Michael Fassbender) — would rather wander around with an oversized paper mache head covering his gorgeous dome. Director Leonard Abrahamson has a background in music video production, so his take on the script from Jon Ronson (writer-director behind The Men Who Stare at Goats) and Peter Straughan (a co-writer on The Men Who Stare at Goats and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) will likely be infused with the pop glam of surreal ideas. Certainly a test for cineastes who profess to a willingness to follow Fassbender anywhere. (Opens Friday at Esquire Theatre) (R) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2014.