THE FINE ART

Written and Directed by Eric Stanze
Produced by Eric Stanze, Brian McClelland, Jessica Wyman, and Jason Shepherd

Valerie - Lisa Morrison
Bill - Jeremy Wallace

Many people know director Eric Stanze from his two recent features ICE FROM THE SUN and SCRAPBOOK, both intensely absorbing thrillers that take horror movie conventions and warp them into utterly exhilarating filmmaking. To read the praise surrounding Stanze's work you would think he was the Second Coming of Jean Luc Goddard. THE FINE ART, an early serial killer effort by Stanze, ain't no BREATHLESS.

Valerie is a young woman looking for romance. She's had an endless string of men who treat her like the dirt underneath their feet. Enter Bill, a nice guy with a secret vice. It's love at first site. But this is an Eric Stanze film and all won't stay milk and honey for long.

As the two lovers, Lisa Morrison and Jeremy Wallace do an acceptable job. The only problem is that at times the dialogue is a bit advanced and sounds forced, especially Lisa Morrison. At times she's obviously stumbling over her lines. But I'll say this in her favor, she lends a wholesome naiveté to her character that accentuates the distress she had during her failed relationships. You learn quickly why she's been dumped on so often, she allows it.

It is easy to see the origins of some of the themes Stanze goes on to explore in his later work, most notably that of individuality. Stanze likes to examine people's roles in society. No, I take that back. He's concerned with people's roles in the greater existence. What it means to be who we are. Doe everything happen for a reason. In ICE FROM THE SUN the lead was a suicide victim who must save existence. In SCRAPBOOK there is a killer who might be the real victim. With THE FINE ART Valerie has to understand why it is that she met Bill before she can find her own place in life.

Though flawed, you can see Stanze's early roots. THE FINE ART is a much tamer film that the pictures he's made lately, but it gives a clear indication of the ferocious filmmaker to come.

THE FINE ART was recently re-released in 2000 with improved picture and sound through Sub Rosa. I've never seen the original release so I can't compare it, but I must say that the movie does look and sound great. I don't know the format used, but the picture is crisp and clean. As a bonus you also get a behind the scenes documentary as well as two short films, Vision by Jason Christ, and Survive by the late Tommy Biondo.

You can order the remastered director's cut of The Fine Art at Sub Rosa.
Visit the official Eric Stanze website at Wicked Pixel.