Starving Artists Satisfies Audience Appetite A Review by Evan H. Shu

Over 400 people jammed the theater at the Museum of Fine Arts on November 22nd to view a special sneak preview of the feature film, Starving Artists. Many disappointed patrons who did not think to reserve tickets or show up early were unfortunately turned away. It was clear that the best publicity in the world, "word of mouth", had tipped off this SRO audience that they would be in for a treat by this special showing of a 90 minute comedic love story made by Old South members, Allan Piper, writer/director/lead actor, and Catherine Burns, producer. The audience was not disappointed in the least as what they got was a Pulp Fiction -type high energy, unpredictable frolic of intertwined funny bits, hilarious characters, and even a few surprisingly touching moments.

The heart of the plot is a traditional star-crossed love story between theater producer Zach (Allan Piper) and Joy (Bess Wohl), who is a theater critic by day, comic book artist by night. Though clearly attracted to each other, every one of their encounters turns into a disaster as Zach always manages to say or do the wrong thing. These two characters are the "normal" folks, who are surrounded by a world of zanies such as movie director, Jay (Joe Smith) who is trying to film a typical gangster movie (shown in black and white, "neo-noir" chiarroscurro intercuts) but unintentionally causes a national craze as the "upside-down man" when his faulty projector flips his film image; or Zach's roommate, Bob (played hilariously by John DeVore), who is a creative slob with paranoid tendencies; Xavier (Geoff Gladstone), the gangster actor who "sleep-shaves" making movie continuity a continual challenge; the copy shop guy who won't let Joy copy her own copyrighted material . . .the list of crazies goes on and on.

Then there are the various amusing props that turn up in scene after scene in surprising ways: the waste basket, the bowling ball, the drink cup on top of the car whose doors won't all stay closed at the same time, the porno mag, and then there are of course, the monkeys that we never see but via sound seem everywhere in the last part of the film.

If you were to describe this plot to anyone, that person would probably tell you that it is "too much" and to "simplify, simplify" but the amazing thing is that the film pulls it all off, creating a rich tapestry of sight, sound and memory that reverberate long after the film is over. Best part of all is that this film is just a plain, rollicking good time at the movies -- as contrasted with numerous big-budget Hollywood movies this past year that were not half as pleasing as this low-budget joy.

To be sure, this film is not your polished Hollywood epic -- numerous Harvard dorm rooms pose as everything from film studio to talk show set to party mansion. Yet it is very hard not to give yourself up and suspend your disbelief after just a few scenes of this infectious concoction. You just relax and start to have as much fun as the film and the actors seem to be having poking fun at everything, including their own selves and plot lines. It is a great credit to Allan Piper, wearing three hats (and probably more) as writer, director, and lead actor, that he was not only able to do all three tasks but that he was able to do them in wonderful harmony, low-keying his emphasis but not effect in all three roles.

We are told that negotiations are under way to have a continuing run of "Starving Artists" at a theater location in the Boston Area in the near future. When it happens, if you are starved for true entertainment, don't deprive yourself of this fulfilling meal of movie delight, Starving Artists. +