Saturday, May 07, 2011

1562 - Beauty Day

Full disclosure (again) - I know Jay Cheel, the director behind this film.  He was a year behind me in film school and he's a creative force to be reckoned with.  Beauty Day is a character study about the man who pioneered doing stupid shit on camera to get a laugh.  Before Jackass or Tom Green there was Cap'n Video - he was the guy that broke his neck trying to jump into a pool with a winter cover on it.  Ironically, in terms of getting known, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to him.  Cheel follows Ralph (the Cap'n) as he prepares for his 20th Anniversary all the while shedding a light on who this man is through old footage he'd shot throughout his life.
We get a lot of access to Ralph's life and learn some personal things about him - I wish there was more of that in the film, but understand why there isn't - the film isn't about that.  It's about finding something you really care about and just going for it.  It's an endlessly entertaining film - funny - touching.  And its coming to theatres sometime this June.  Do yourself a favour and check it out.  And if you think I'm just throwing out bias praise take a few seconds and google a review for the film - praises from ear to ear - just like there should be.

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