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TRACK 16
There comes a point little over half way through Mick McCleery's thriller TRACK 16, right after the hero Paul Matthews has been questioned by police for murder, that Paul starts to talk to himself. Instead of merely hearing voices in his head, Paul carries on a conversation with two other fully realized versions of himself. It's about this time we wonder if he isn't the killer after all. Paul's hallucinatory visions of himself are just some of the many twists and turns that will leave the viewer guessing in this masterpiece of independent filmmaking. TRACK 16 is DePalma's BLOW OUT or Coppalla's THE CONVERSATION on a smaller, tighter, and ultimately more fulfilling scale.
Written, Directed, and Edited by Mick McCleery
Director of Photography - Lou TomchoPaul Matthews - Billy Franks
Mason - Mick McCleery
Fallon - Bobbi Ashton
The film opens with the abridged history of recording media and how today's studios allow up to 16 different musical tracks on a single quarter inch analogue tape. From there McCleery breaks the fourth wall down further with an interesting approach to steadycam shots. The sequence starts like the typical Scorsese steady, the camera follows a group of characters through a recording studio highlighting all the confusing happeningss that can occur during a recording session. About halfway through the shot McCleery does something I've never seen before, he takes the viewers attention away from the choreography of the moment by injecting frame-within-frame images designed to further introduce the characters by their respective track numbers. In under a minute, McCleery does away with the need for clever character introductions and complicated story setup, he's already given us the premise, the players, and all the complications that will arise. With those out of the way, McCleery can get down to business and give the viewers what really important, delivering a great story.
In the lead role of Paul Matthews is singer Billy Franks, who in the great tradition English actors, has a wonderful sense of understatement. After an evening in the studio, after everyone is gone, Paul sits listening to the music he's laid down, trying to identify every flaw. He goes over each track, listening for his musical imperfections, until he hears something that shouldn't even have been recorded. On the 16th, and presumed unused track, Paul hears the struggle and murder of a woman in the alley behind his warehouse studio.
With the police believing he knows more than he's telling, Matthews tries to piece together the events of the evening in an effort to keep his name clear. It's at this point where the story shifts from experimental to metaphysical and delusional. Reality takes a backseat to elements such as time and space. The breakdown of linear storytelling that originated with the initial tracking shot continues with scenes folding back upon themselves and not exactly appearing in the order they occurred. In the end you get one fascinating mindtrip of a murder mystery.
McCleery is a veteran of micro-budget cinema. He's stared in efforts such as ADDICTED TO MURDER and THE ALIEN AGENDA, helping those productions rise above their meager means. With TRACK 16, McCleery is able to channel that knowledge of acting towards those around him and nurture some solid performances from his actors, notably the star Billy Franks whose quite rage outshines his frustrated desperation. As a filmmaker McCleery is smart enough not to cast himself in the primary role, diverting himself from where a director should be, behind the camera. There he can concentrate on, and not loose sight of, what's really important, telling a great story. With TRACK 16 he's done just that, and them some.
DVD Review
It's easy to go back are rewatch a movie as good as TRACK 16. Reviewing the DVD was a job I was looking forward to. The image quality is superb for what was an already great looking SOV production. A good filmlook could have this one passing as high-caliber 16 mm, easily. For a movie where sound is of the upmost importance, everything is as clear and perfect as anything this side of a 5.1 mix can hope to be.
The actual DVD for TRACK 16 is a noble attempt at putting out a quality disc for a micro-budget production. The only thing keeping it from being true perfection is the obvious omission of a running director's commentary. In today's day in age, that's almost as unforgivable as a proctologist giving you the deep-finger without taking the time to lube up.
To make up for the commentary, McCleery packs on a few special bonuses. There are out-takes and deleted scenes with video commentary between each segment, but the cherries-on-top include a one hour VH1 Storytellers-style concert video with TRACK 16 star Billy Franks, and what appears to be the pilot for a sitcom staring a number of the TRACK 16 players titled COMING TO SAVE AMERICA. You won't find the pilot listed on the keepcase, it's an Easter Egg you'll need to search for.
Those that enjoyed the uniquely bizarre murder mystery that is TRACK 16 should especially enjoy the bawdy COMING TO SAVE AMERICA. Billy plays up his self-assured arrogance to great comedic effect. The show itself is a cross between Three's Company and Cheers; "misunderstandings abound as the proprietors and staff of a bar go about their love lives."
Before, I couldn't rave about TRACK 16 enough. With the release of the DVD, I've just found a reason to go that extra mile. If you've never taken a chance on an SOV production, this is the one to risk your money on.