The Age of Commercialism

Crappy film

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

A superb movie about people and who they are and what the world is like for them.Reminiscent of James Joyce Ulysses, with all its complexities all the while , as if nothi8ng much is happening,but in fact full lives are being led Experiencing the wide rage of human experience and emotion, and the often seeming frustration futility of it all The film is extraordinarily well acted and directed portraying the characters in a realistic fashionIf you are looking for cheap easy money Hollywood sensationalism this isn't for you.The script was well written with many poignant moments. I look forward to what is produced by this director .The dynamic between the two actresses deserves recognition and is extremely difficult to capture . Most seem pretentious and strained but these two nailed it.

With its simplistic plot and meager cast, Fort Tilden is a brisk, breezy and mean comedy. It is an engaging film because of its sharply drawn characters, almost transparent that we can see every nuance of their thoughts and emotions. Sadly, they are very annoying, narrow-minded and shallow, far from being role models. They are silly enough to ditch their responsibilities for a beach time and hopes of getting laid. Allie, the less unlikable character, takes pride with her Peace Corps association but being unable to navigate in the streets of New York, there is a big question of the likelihood of her survival in war-torn Liberia. As much as she just tags along Harper, she is pushed around by everything that happens. Harper, the more stubborn one, seems to look at herself higher than everyone else. She is the typical mean girl, mocking other people for their sincere efforts and persuasions. But when she finds herself at the center of joke, she becomes defensive and impatient.Their journey together has become a test of their character, as their insecurity and confusion becomes more apparent. Like their wasted $200 barrel or the expensive cab ride, they are simply narcissistic, showy and pretentious. It is evident in how Harper rolls her eyes at other people and how Allie is fond of giving fake compliments with fake smiles. As much as they lost in the streets, they are also unsure of what they want with their lives. And when they explode off against each other, it is a moment of truthfulness and kindness. As much as they are able to give pity to the kittens, they are also capable of empathy and affection for each other.Technically, the film is decently edited, scored and photographed. There is not a dull moment as the two characters, with all their flaws and imperfections, are intriguing and watchable. Elliot and McNulty also have good rapport and delivery.Despite its unlikable characters, Fort Tilden is an enjoyable film to watch. It is not because of how the leads stupidly stare and argue while a kid steals their bike. It is not because of how a store owner puts ice on hot coffee with her bare hands to make them "iced coffee" for the two heroines. And it is not also because of the topless scene in the end, where a quarter of girls let their bare breasts hang loose at the beach. But it is because of how the two leads, without realizing it, develop some kind of compassion and humanity.

Those last two words "tediously adorable" is what this film, by writer/Director: Sarah-Violet Bliss, is all about! The story opens with Bridely Elliott as 'Harper' & Clare McNulty as 'Allie' sharing an apartment in Brooklyn and it is the waning days of August. From their speech, character, and connections we can guess these two girls have grown up in a privileged background. Both live a mostly directionless, aimless, and self indulgent existence. We find out from friends that these two girls are always together and are more twin like than the singing twins that open the story on the apartment building rooftop party. Harper & Allie meet two boys at this party and discover the boys are going to Fort Tilden for a day at the beach. Harper invites herself and Allie to meet the boys at the beach the next day. The two boys do not object. The next day is the beginning of this story. The two girls have made no plans on how to get to Fort Tilden and, just like their lives, their attempt to travel the ten mile journey is without direction and aimless. They are easily distracted by their self indulgence and personal needs. They even borrow a bicycle from a neighbor and ditch it when the other bike is stolen as they watch the thief take it. After arriving at the beach, very late in the day, Harper & Allie learn a 'truth' about themselves. They are both about 25 years old and both are college graduates. The boys and two unexpected girls that are with the boys are just teenagers and still in high school. Harper & Allie had no idea they were just teens. Harper's & Allie's view of the world around them is just like they live it. They find themselves still thinking like teens and avoiding the responsibilities of being adults. After returning to their apartment the movie ends just like it began. Allie receives a video on her computer by the singing twins and both girls listen to them sing and Allie describes them as being tediously adorable. That is how I found this film about a day in the life of Harper & Allie - tediously adorable. These two are likable and charming characters. Their intentions are noble in thought but both lack the will and drive to follow through. The dialog, editing, and acting are meritorious and I would recommend this film to anyone seeking a light comedy and a brief nonthreatening adventure of two girls in a big city.

If ever you wondered what happened to the 'valley girl' ethic, rest assured that it is alive and well in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Harper (Bridey Elliott) & Allie (Clare McNulty) are 20-something best friends whose parental affluence hasn't really required them to mature in the years since college. This comedy follows their ill-conceived attempt at being thrifty as they choose to bike (rather than taxi) across Brooklyn to a Rockaway Beach party. These are two of the most vapid and shallow characters ever portrayed as protagonists - they don't learn a thing as they spend hundreds of dollars during their 10 mile odyssey - and that's what's so funny. As for winning the SXSW Grand Jury Prize, I can totally see the comparisons with, festival darling, Lena Dunham's 'Girls' - which is a guilty pleasure of mine - but, where Dunham's wit and goofy characters coax empathy, the 'Fort Tilden' characters have no apparent redeeming qualities. I laughed a bit but this is no Patsy & Edina or Romy & Michele; I got more than my fill of Harper, Allie, and their equally self-centered world.