WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Giving it the ole college try. A sentiment most likely running through the minds of anyone who’s had to make the choice that, if dreams are to have a chance to manifest, taking a leap of faith will be involved. Then, it becomes the examination and measuring of our fortitude that will showcase whether we actually possess the ability TO succeed, put the doubters in their place, and truly embody the self we are aiming to put forth to the world–without compromising it in the process. Will we listen to logic, or get swept up in a facade that too often leads even the best intentions quite astray. Tucker J. James (Josh Allen Goldman) has come to L.A. to seek his longed for success as an actor, having left family, failures, and pain behind in NYC. Yet, even as he reconnects with a old friend Brendan (Dylan Rourke) and gained his requisite agent Erin (Noelle Messier), will it actually BE a venture to the stardom he wants–or a deeper exploration of how what glitters ISN’T always gold?
Next, my Mind:
Unshrinkingly satiric, outrageously yet purposefully and hilariously irreverent, unexpectedly dramatic, and ultimately an all-out exercise in indie film entertainment, this new 100-minute feature film from writer/director/producer/editor Yannis Zafeiriou, writer/producer Josh Allen Goldman, plus producers Sabrina Carmichael, Allan C. Gagner II, and Thomai Hatsios brings forth one zany character-driven adventure that unflinchingly takes on “The Industry” machine, along with ALL its peaks and valleys, and places it in the context of what one can only construe might literally BE how the journey to “promised” stardom can actually manifest for so many who flee to the West Coast mecca of fame to seek it themselves. I must give full measure of credit, once again, to independent filmmakers for their willingness to so boldly pass “judgement” on the very industry they’re aiming to achieve success in as, frankly, I feel it serves a totally valid and NECESSARY purpose TO expose the realities of it, even when IN the context of a fictional cinematic endeavor such as this.
With sharply written yet likewise straightforward and wholly comedic intent, the narrative that follows an affable yet quite clueless wanna-be fame seeker as he leaves all he’s known behind for the Pacific, palm trees, and allure of massive success in the City of Angels, all of which gets presented through YouTube-channel style video journaling format, is actually more engaging than I initially anticipated, for it does make you as the viewer have to possess a willingness to watch a story unfold from this perspective and visual format that ISN’T standard for most films to begin with, all the while trusting that the lead actor is going to maintain your attention IN this format the entire time without it becoming too mundane or repetitive. Hence, why you must therefore PAY ATTENTION to the events transpiring in the story in order to appreciate and soak in all the elements about finding a place (or trying to!) in “The Biz” that is meant to be conveyed WHILE sitting back and enjoying the intermixing of goofball humor, the aforementioned dramatic facets, and the legitimate portrait of successes, poor choices, consequences, and learning that we are privy to.
BUT, this only scratches the broader surface of events here, as the thematic forays this film addresses are LEGION and then some, including parental expectations/pressures/control, standing for our decisions despite criticism, how we overthink/psyche ourselves out with things that are also out of our own control, being available for opportunity, the harsh nature of competition in “The Biz”, audition tapes, not hearing back from studios, collaborations, the promises of fame, what defines us as we seek our dreams, conquering fears, coping mechanisms we hide behind or within, seeking approval/validation to our detriment rather than benefit, sibling rivalry, the pull of money and its downsides, the image of actors in general via insecurities and fragility, trolling, admitting our mistakes, asking forgiveness, trying to be something we’re really NOT, pressing in to those who genuinely support us, reinventing ourselves when needed, BELIEVING in ourselves, breaking down societal barriers and prejudices, and embracing the chance when a classic “Comeback Story” could change our life. ALL of this has its place here to highly astute effect amidst all the humor.
As the film’s title clearly illustrates, there’s a totally tongue-in-cheek play on the term it’s poking fun at while not meaning any real offense. You need to watch the film to fully understand this. It’s just one of those really fun little aspects to the lead character’s story. The emphasis, ultimately, on BEING WHO YOU ARE is strong, and that’s what ends up making the film impactful, as again, even with all the silliness and seriousness we encounter through the narrative, it comes down to that very idea, and by the finale of the story, it is wonderfully executed and presented to us in a manner that really does resonate for anyone who’s battled how they see themselves and the path called life they’re walking on. As also previously indicated, the visual format here is almost exclusively via that hand-held, camera phone shot footage, but it WORKS, and perhaps even makes the film more accessible TO this Tik-Tok/Instagram/social media-driven world we inhabit, paired with the basic relevance of our inherent need to broadcast our lives as such, for good or ill, which is another underlying theme this film portrays, at least in this critic’s opinion.
Goldman is, without any doubt, completely in his element here through the lead role of Tucker, a frustrated, admittedly oblivious, yet vibrantly confident young actor whose already made the choice to abandon everything he’s been about in order to now become everything he’s truly wanted to be via going to Los Angeles to be a star. Weathering all the doubters, which are mainly his own family, and striving to connect with a best friend and a new agent to achieve his goals, Tucker VERY quickly begins to learn that stepping out in a leap of faith CAN be admirable, but also a path to very bad options and missteps that end up providing a sobering lesson in the price of creating a persona who isn’t the genuine “us”. Goldman has excellent skill being totally credible and charmingly witty, innocently ignorant then sincerely humble, destructively conceited/overconfident then utterly insecure, wallowing in adoration but then in abject humiliation, ALL of which are contained in the emotional scope that’s needed for this character to confront and embody, which the actor carries off with fervent energy and also disarming understatement.
Primary supporting turns with a cast this size are, like the themes above, LEGION, and so I must be transparent in that trying to get detailed about EVERY performance would be paramount to listing all the volumes in the Library of Congress. So let me first state that I relished and was undeniably entertained by ALL the supporting cast, truly, and extend my grander, all-encompassing gratitude and kudos to Rourke as Tucker’s best friend and highly (hysterically) ego-centric actor Brendan who becomes Tucker’s guide to “the life”, not usually to real betterment of anyone involved, Messier as Tucker’s new talent manager Erin, a decidedly plucky/spunky/positive/supportive individual who does her level best to gain him opportunity–until events come about that could sideline everything she’s worked TO get him, Carrie Gibson and William Goldman as Tucker’s parents Marie and Hale who’s general idea of “supporting” Tucker’s choices is more about ridicule and closer to overtly manipulative, false “joy”, and Ryan Vigilant as Crispin, Tucker’s elder brother whose success in life overshadows his younger brother and who is also critical of his direction.
Crystal Yaskulski is Juliette, Tucker’s sister who appears to actually be a VALID supporter of her brother’s endeavors. Liliana De Castro plays Janet, Tucker’s new roommate in L.A. and clearly didn’t realize what she was getting into with him, much to her disconcert and agitation. Laura Juliane May is Gardenia, a local L.A. yoga instructor whom Tucker turns to for meditative purposes and a complete misappropriation of the word “Namaste”. Justine Wachsberger plays Hortense, a film director whom Tucker has opportunity with, though NOT to the good ends he’d hoped for. Seril James is Dirk, a local gossip news show host who has more than his fair chance to try and vilify Tucker when things have gone south. Additional (and FUN!) supporting appearances are made by Tamara Rey, Dione Kuraoka, Lauren Gallagher, Kevyn Richmond, David Schifilliti, Bonnie Kolber, Courtney Nelms, Kimberly Woods, Derek Kokinda, Sarah Stunt, Diana Atai, Jai Yunae, Claire Liz Phillips, Samuel Whitehill, Hayley Gagner, Allan C. Gagner II, Matthew Hancock, Lisa Temple, Jason Caceres, Rafael I. Molina, Jessica Savano, Sharon Blynn, Margaux Amie, Francene Lockett, Joaquin Price, and even the film director himself, Yannis Zafeiriou.
So, in total, “Namas Dei: The Tucker J. James Story” is a whimsical but pertinent, entertaining yet evocative, daringly bold yet unequivocally honest feature film effort that is willing to wear its intent and emotional punch on its sleeve with, in the grand scheme of things, two messages in mind: WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD (we hope you’ve enjoyed your stay!) and, perhaps most importantly, JUST BE REAL, folks! “Namas De…no, no, no….meant “Namaste”!
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
