Movie Review: $9.99 (2008)
An average film with exceptional animation
Photo: Regent Releasing
$9.99 is a curious little film that was put together under some particularly interesting circumstances. A New York-based independent filmmaker (Tatia Rosenthal) and an Israeli author (Etgar Keret) came together on a stop-motion animated feature produced as an Israeli-Australian co-production filmed in Australia, with post done in Israel, while using a worldy cast to voice the slice-of-life that is $9.99. Oh, did I mention it coincidentally makes use of nine animators? All of this ties into one peculiar animated feature as a varied group of characters search for the meaning of life amidst the pursuit of happiness.
The voice cast includes Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia, Joel Edgerton, Samuel Johnson, Barry Otto, Claudia Karvan, Ben Mendelsohn and Jamie Katsamatsas. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"9.99" is a Sherman Pictures/Lama Films release, directed by Tatia Rosenthal and is rated R for language and brief sexuality and nudity.
$9.99 is geared 100-percent to an adult audience and does its best not to ask any questions, or really answer them, in hopes the audience will come to grips with their own personal curiosities and formulate their own questions as they best see fit when it comes to the eternal question – "What makes you happy?"
Despite a far different approach to Claymation than say Wallace and Gromit or Corpse Bride, and a storyline that would typically intrigue me I wasn't able to manage any real interest. I was fascinated by some of the animation and the crass angel voiced by Geoffrey Rush was a fun diversion, but overall the story just didn't excite me beyond an initial fascination. The attention to detail in the work from facial expressions down to the sweaty bodies as two clay characters make sweet love was worthy of applause, but no matter what the intention of most of it, I wasn't shocked, miffed, offended or baffled. I just watched and when it was over it was over.
This is one of those films I neither love or hate, I simply accept its existence and move on with very little to say. It's a perfectly satisfactory film that some may find deeper meaning in than I did, but I couldn't recommend anything more than a last minute rental. It's hard to figure if it would have served the film better had it abandoned its more fantastical elements and grounded the story solely in reality or if it would have benefit from an even further mythical approach, but as it stands the balance doesn't appeal or detract from the story as much as it just allows it to exist with a few mild comical moments and plenty of standard fair.
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This movie deserves at least a B, its just to bad the critic couldn't get outside his own Bruchheimer filled head for a second to see from a different view point. Take for example the particular tribulations everyone is set with. The father watches the same man die twice but still worries more about the outcome of the children signifies how even though the world happens constantly and excitingly around us we tend to deal first with our inner pains before using the outer ones as an excuse to get away. Then Lenny conforming to what he needs, going all the way to get his bones removed to be with what he considers perfection. Dave represented the pure heart, taking up the house wife role and the open infinite dreamer. This movie was a well molded statue that if viewed from the perspective of each of the characters gives insight to each curve and slant that gives the whole such beauty. This movie is full of substance. Unfortunately, not all have the capacity of appreciation for the arts they judge.
I'm with you man! I loved it! It's definitely one worth re-watching a few times for sure.
I like this movie and think its defiantly worth the money to buy or rent. It's defiantly worth the re-watching. After all how many movies take on the meaning of life? I think this reviewer would like to have more fantastic elements or more realistic elements because he'd like to put it in a box like any other movie. If the film is either sci-fiction, or fantasy, or historical fact then it is easier to market. Easier to compare it to other movies. The movie isn't about the answer, it's about the question. That's beautiful.