Mister Lonely

Mister Lonely

Directed by Harmony Korine

105 minutes

After Gummo (1997) and some documentary shorts in between Harmony Korine made Mister Lonely (2007). This film I would suggest is Korine’s lightest and acts almost as a statement piece to his usual treatment. You could say it’s like watching the backdrop of a Douglas Sirk film with some David Lynch characters thrown in.

The general gist here revolves around a Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna) who busks the streets of Paris. When Michael gets a break in a retirement village he meets another impersonator Marilyn Monroe (Samantha Morton). They become friends. After Marilyn convinces Michael to move in with her, things get surreal. Marilyn’s home is in a secluded place accompanied with more impersonators including Marilyn’s husband Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavant) and daughter Shirley Temple (Esme Creed-Miles). Others impersonators that reside here are Abraham Lincoln (Richard Strange), James Dean (Joseph Morgan) and Little Red Riding Hood (Rachel Korine). There is another sub-plot to Mister Lonely, which at first seems out of place but metaphorically fits into themes of existence and identity. It is not imperative to say what it’s about, but it’s funny to see Werner Herzog (Father Umbrillo) as the main character in this story.

What Korine does so unique is provide a mood and essence that stays with you. Mister Lonely can be described as going to Disneyland for the first time through its airy innocence. When you compare this to say Gummo or his screenplay to Ken Park (Clark, 2002), this is quite different. Although there are some darker moments such as suggested rape and a scene involving animals being shot, it’s the original mood that stays strong. Mister Lonely flaunts its rich palate and chiming lullaby score, however it makes you uneasy if you’ve experienced Korine’s films before as most likely you’re thinking at some point in time this should get messy, it never does.

Seeing this film now, it is interesting to note Mister Lonely had a polar reception, reviewers saw this less biting than Korine’s earlier work. Possible. However I fall into the notion that because Korine gives us something ‘lighter’, it is dark in a different sense. It is through the authenticity that these actors present to their identities that make this a commendable but pretty weird experience, not to mention confusing timescape. Adding to this Korine doesn’t use typical characters-hiding-behind-a-mask-cliché, these impersonators are happy and content, it is the outside world Korine presents that are hiding.

Reviewers should celebrate Korine as an auteur and see Mister Lonely as a refreshing piece. It is still a Korine infused piece; it just requires you to soak up the atmosphere differently.

Mister Lonely is a celebration of nostalgia in the most profound and celebrated way.