Episode 2: SICILIAN STYLE

I'm a big fan of the way the dialogue plays out in these episodes. The intimate moments between the couple seem to capture something that happens in my own life that I haven't seen on screen before. Little interactions that aren't exactly foreplay, nor conflict, nor any kind of drama, really. But they still ring true.

Of course there's a trade-off, right? So far these episodes don't really have a plot. We have to enjoy how the private detective and relationship snippets play out enough to overlook the fact that there's no story to speak of. Here's the question: Does it work? Is it worth it to trade plot for naturalism?

Re:Episode 2: SICILIAN STYLE

In terms of the last question, the answer depends heavily on the filmmaker's intent and the audience's ability to comprehend that intent. Plot for that reason isn't entirely, in my estimation, necessary in a work like this. The art can act almost as a snapshot, but these placed together must have meaning.

With that said, the style--in this case, you assess naturalism--must be such that the audience learns something greater from it--Robert Altman's overlapping dialogue, per example. Here, the style serves to weave a bit of intimacy, and yet that sincerity is somehow misplaced because it's juxtaposed against a really humorous moment which doesn't justify a reaction of said sincerity. This element, more than the lack of plot, is what concerns me, the idea that these moments should work together within the parameter of their style to jointly showcase a truth of everyday life. As they are now, there's really no reason for one scene to butt against the other. As an episodic, that's part of what's exciting, the notion that one idea or one scene fits another.

Or, conversely we, as an audience, need to know more about the characters for these jumps in narrative logic between scenes to work. We need to feel enough connection with Bronstein's character to assume how this gas station incident might actually, as Mary's character intimates, upset him.  But, in episode two, we just can't know that yet. 

There's a real risk run here of assuming the audience is smarter than it is, and while I'm not a huge fan of condescending film and television--old movies excluded from that category-- it's also difficult to enter a world where as a viewer I'm supposed to be immediately in check with certain emotions.  It's like trying a read a science fiction series from the third book, you know? There's always something missed.  

There's also the question as to whether or not this style is naturalism at all. I do think there's been a critical shift in naturalism within the last three or four years of independent film and Web productions, and that's specifically highlighted within the last year. It's almost as if 'naturalism' has become a dissociated style onto itself. That doesn't mean the films and series aren't moving and beautiful and intriguing. It just means that they no longer seem to reflect reality holistically. At this point along Butterknife, I'm still pretty torn on this issue of style classification, and as episodes progress, I'll be interested to watch for style and tonal changes, particularly because of the style and tonal changes of Young American Bodies. 

As for that question of, "Does it work?" I at least I'm cooling my heels back to see, but with episodics, a general audience, just won't give you that much time, and so my thought is, if these elements just don't start working narratively by the next episode, viewership is really going to suffer for it.  

Re:Episode 2: SICILIAN STYLE

The thing is though, Young American Bodies had a continuous storyline and even the first episode hinted at a larger plot. That's not quite the case with Butterknife, not yet anyway, and according to the director's comments it might not go in that direction.

Right now I have to say I'm more curious than excited about Butterknife, and that's because I don't know where I stand yet on the sketch nature of the show. A lot of web videos boil down to sketch comedy more concerned about delivering a punchline than character study, and I must have expected more from Butterknife. I agree there was sort of a disconnect between the detective and the couple stuff in this second episode, but I think the first episode handled it much better. Besides, two episodes in, we can't really say the show has hit its cruising speed yet, so I'm ready to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Re:Episode 2: SICILIAN STYLE

I agree that the juxtapositions of scenes in each episode may seem a little bit random. But in many ways I see the show as a sort of experiment. What happens if you take a serial form, insert what is usually a formulaic genre (private detective stories), and completely subvert both at once. I think this makes the show really interesting, but it does pose some obvious problems. Part of the draw of episodic material is its ability to keep the viewer coming back for what's next (I'm thinking of times I've watched episodes of Lost or 24, almost against my will, to see what will happen next). But Butterknife doesn't seem to care about this.

I'm not expecting this show to be the next viral video phenomenon, but I do think there's quite a bit there. I think repeat viewership will depend largely on the charm of the characters. I'm reminded of Woody Allen's Annie Hall, where traditional love story conventions are thrown out the window, and instead we're left with two characters, who we either connect with or don't.

Re:Episode 2: SICILIAN STYLE

porcupine:

 I'm reminded of Woody Allen's Annie Hall, where traditional love story conventions are thrown out the window, and instead we're left with two characters, who we either connect with or don't.

After seeing two episodes, I'd have to say I'm leaning to the latter.  But I'm not sure that is the fault of the characters themselves.  I'll admit to not being a fan of mumblecore (and, even if you use the term "naturalism" you are left with the same thing).  I liken it to anti-professionalism in indie rock and use the Moldy Peaches as an example.  Their song "Anyone Else But You" certainly has its charms -- but that can't completely make up for the fact that it is sung off-key and poorly performed.  Overpolished production, in music or film, is not what I'm seeking.  But the scenes here seem, at least for now, randomly cut together and the interaction of the couple, while natural, isn't particularly interesting or charming.  

 I can accept a style that owes much (if not everything) to Linklater's "Slacker" but he has gone on to make much better films.  In kind, I'm hoping future episodes of "Butterknife" start to coalesce into something more than the sum of their parts.