ONE DAY LIKE RAIN: Review by Terry Keefe

If you’re looking for a mind-altering cinematic experience this Friday night (that being July 25th) in Los Angeles, get thee to the screening of One Day Like Rain at the Dances With Films festival, pilgrim. I saw this second feature by director Paul Todisco somewhere in the neighborhood of a year ago at an early screening at Panavision. As you can imagine, I see a great deal of independent films, many of which never even make it to DVD. A common thread of what’s lacking in the glut of indie features, and has been for well over a decade, is that their creators have forgotten the best reason for making a film outside the studio system in the first place….to make a film that the studios would never frigging make, and to make it well. Todisco’s One Day Like Rain is on many levels for me everything that an indie feature should be: ballsy, experimental, and also pretty damn entertaining. In an earlier capsule review from last year, I compared ODLR to Donnie Darko, early David Lynch, and in particular, The Man Who Fell to Earth, a film which Todisco tips the hat clearly to. ODLR shares similarities to all of the aforementioned, in that it’s a sci-fi/fantasy story told with very little narrative exposition, a choice which I love. You’re thrown right into the storyline and have to catch up with the characters as they go about their own personal journeys, figuring out what’s going on without anyone ever explaining it onscreen, at least in a speech of any sort. Todisco provides enough breadcrumbs for you to assemble the larger storyline on your own though, but it takes work. I found the process rewarding, although I’m positive there are many, including avid filmgoers who should know better, who will simply be lost. The story is there and I found myself riveted to the screen as it unfolded. I can’t believe I’m about to quote Oliver Stone’s The Doors here, but there’s that opening scene when Jim Morrison is getting classroom feedback in film school to one of his avant-garde shorts and one of his defenders shouts to a group of detractors, “You want your art spoon fed to you!” And, likewise, if you’re one who likes everything tied up in a bow at the end, and in the beginning, and in the middle, this film isn’t for you. But there are many who it will simply rock for.

Samantha Figura

In a nutshell, the story follows a Southern California teen named Gina (Samantha Figura) who is growing up in suburban track home hell. As the tale unfolds, we learn that Gina isn’t exactly what she appears to be, and while we are never told exactly what she is, there are indications that she may be an alien visitor on earth with strong metaphysical powers. Gina speaks frequently with her definitely human pal Jennifer about her “master plan to save the world,” and while we never really learn the exact specifics of that plan, Gina seems to know them intimately, as she begins constructing some type of device made largely of giant crystals in her basement. Soon, an alternate reality of sorts starts to bleed into the world as we know it, and it becomes apparent that Gina may be bringing about the end of the world….in order to save it, in her eyes at least. Once again, much of what Gina is doing specifically is left open to interpretation, and therein lies the beauty. The film requires a great deal of mental participation from the audience, and its deliberate ambiguity would never work if Todisco and company didn’t deliver on the mood-setting visuals, editing, and sound design. At first glance, the suburban milieu looks appropriately bland, as in reality, and then you realize that it looks even blander than reality, by design, although a very subtle design. Which makes for a starker contrast with the metaphysical world that Gina’s machinations brings into confrontation with. It’s been a while since I saw the film, so specific songs escape me, but Todisco has peppered the soundtrack with some obscure but tasty 80s New Wave nuggets, all of which add a further otherworldly feel to a film which certainly isn’t a period piece.

The world of One Day Like Rain (below).

Todisco previously directed the feature Blowin’ Smoke (which had the much better festival title of Freak Talks About Sex), and which starred Steve Zahn. He has also written scripts for Bryan Singer (drafts of the Logan’s Run remake) and Guy Ritchie (I believe he and Ethan Gross were uncredited, but the actual writers, on Revolver), correct me if I’m wrong.

I have never done drugs and don’t advocate their use, but I keep thinking ODLR might be a Biblical experience on mushrooms or blotter acid. Those of you more daring in the audience can let me know if I’m correct.

SCREENING INFO:
When: Friday Jul 25, 2008
at 7:15 PM
Where: Sunset 5
8000 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, California

ONE DAY LIKE RAIN MySpace

Director Paul Todisco