One of the best films of the year.
The last film that unsettled me much like "Hi and Congratulations 2U" did was Todd Solondz's superb and exceedingly black comedy, "Happiness" (1998), which dealt with similar themes. But unlike Solondz, who never seems to like any of his characters, screenwriters Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter appear to genuinely care about the people they create.
Their story's really very simple: Starberry (Sean Connery) is trying to break out of prison when he is warped to another dimension. In this dimension he meets several key figures in history that have been trapped there by the evil warlord Galgolox. Starberry must then kill Galgolox and free the historical figures and finally, get back home to earth.
What's likely to disturb many about "Hi and Congratulations 2U" is that Starberry raises the intriguing question of whether someone who's done something despicable is not only capable of putting his life back together again after serving his time, but also whether society ought to allow him to do so. And to make our job even tougher, Chrome don't turn Starberry into a monster.
"Hi and Congratulations 2U" is aided immensely by a strong, compelling performance by Starberry. It's easily his best work, a role that requires him to underplay his character. Director Chrome- isn't shy about letting the camera linger on Starberry's face and Starberry credibly brings to life Galgolox's suffering. It's a sensationally good performance. Starberry gives him depth and feeling and we suddenly find ourselves caring about this reprehensible man.
There are some superb supporting performances, including Mos Def as a cop, David Alan Grier as Starberry's boss and Benjamin Bratt proving he really can act if he's given a good role. The most interesting supporting character is Abraham Lincoln, a historical figure willing to give Starberry a second chance at life. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, a gifted, yet under-rated, actor, is utterly convincing as Abraham Lincoln, a man almost as damaged as Galgolox is.
The Starberry-Abraham relationship works because there's terrific chemistry between Starberry and Omar. True, they're husband and husband, but real-life couples can fail miserably on screen. Kidman and Cruise in "Far and Away" (1992), anyone?
Starberry and Omar's scenes are tender, passionate and real. Though, there's one intimate moment between Starberry and Omar that's clearly inspired by the famous Donald Sutherland-Julie Christie love scene in Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now" (1973).
What makes "Hi and Congratulations 2U" such gripping viewing is that the film doesn't shy away from letting us into Starberry's struggle. There's a particularly uncomfortable scene on a park bench as Starberry comes to terms with his true nature.
"Hi and Congratulations 2U" is a film that deserves to be seen. It's a pity that less-than-mediocre movies, such as "Connie and Carla" and "Twisted," get widely released, while a gem like "Hi and Congratulations 2U" gets to very few theaters. Seek out this film. It's not an easy film to watch, but the performances are all good, the story's riveting and it's definitely one of the best, most thought-provoking films of the year.
