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Film Review: Team Picture


I can remember the days when Richard Linklater's Slacker set in motion a new wave of no budget filmmaking. At the time, nothing had reached the rawness and reality like that film did. Sure films like Clerks and El Mariachi came strolling along and made waves but those films were more centered in the movie world. IN real life lets face the fact that not everyone is as witty as Randal, as foul-mouthed and humorous as Jay, and most people in Mexico do not carry a guitar case full of guns. Slacker seemed more true to life very much like the Mumblecore movement of recent years.

Filmmakers such as Aaron Katz, Joe Swanberg, the Duplass Brothers and Andrew Bujalski have gained critical acclaim for their mostly relationship based uber-low budget films. A few indie distribution companies have made it easier to obtain these staples in the new generation of film. Benten Films, who so far have released Swanberg's LOL along with Katz's Dance Party USA and Quiet City, is one DVD company in particular that has made it possible for a wider audience to see these films. Created and run by two film critics, Andrew Grant and Aaron Hillis, Benten Films' latest offering is from Andrew Nenninger, a Kentucky native now living in Memphis who hopes to find viewer's stamp of approval with his film Team Picture.

Writer/Director/Actor Nenninger is also known in the filmmaking business as Kentucker Audley a pseudonym obviously inspired by his hometown. Audley's Team Picture perfectly captures low class living and what better location than the ultra laidback Memphis, Tennessee as the set piece. Essentially a film not really about anything, Team Picture follows the everyday doings of David (played by Nenninger) as he gets dumped by his girlfriend, quits his job and parades around in Chicago with hopeful love Sarah (played by newcomer Amanda Harris).

While some may find the film dry, amateur, and a bore those in the mood for a little of the "new talkies" and willing to stick with it until the end will enjoy the feel and calmness of the picture. If you honestly give the film a chance you may see a lot of yourself in these characters. Actress Amanda Harris also has a chance, if she plays her cards right, at a career along the same lines as mumblequeen Greta Gerwig.

The Benten Films release comes housed with not only a commentary track by Nenninger and co-star Timothy Morton but also two short films by by the director (one of which is a follow up to Team Picture shot by Joe Swanberg), music performances, deleted scenes and the original trailer.
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Posted on 31 Aug 2008 by Aaron
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