This movie is kind of a shame. The initial conceit and inciting action is really uncomfortable and bad. I was sort of waiting for the artistic kind of flourish to feel like it was commenting on something or making a statement of some kind, but it never does, it just gets folded into the plot. And by the end when she's ""into it""ù and you realize they've sort of left that part of the movie behind, it falls apart and is hard to enjoy. ESPECIALLY because I had no idea who Vincent Gallo was before watching, and afterward when I looked into it and found out what a complete stinker he is, it soured the movie even more. Christina Ricci was only 17 when this was filmed, which is already gross that she's the love interest for someone twice her age, and that's BEFORE you take into account everything her character is forced to endure in the film. Apparently he made sure her mom wasn't allowed on set during filming? YUCK.

And that's a shame because so much of this movie is SO good and emotional and human. And there are awful characters in here that truly get real doses of humanity and compassion. The filmmaking is good, and there are some super interesting shots and techniques. There are some amazing jokes and really well done comedic beats. It's emotional and compassionate, and I was engaged the whole way through. I kept hoping for an ending that would include compassion, humanity, and most importantly, agency for Christina Ricci's character. But that never comes. I was left cold in the end, and was hoping someone online would be able to explain why I was wrong, but all I found was evidence that this guy is a right wing psychopath. What a letdown.

I can't in good conscience recommend this, which is a shame, because in another world with a less toxic filmmaker, this could have been something.