The second season of
the HBO reality series follows the making of The Battle of
Shaker Heights through every stage of production, from
development hell to post-production to marketing the film. This
time around there are two categories: screenwriting and directing.
After narrowing the field down to four screenplays and four
directors, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Moore, and other Miramax
executives pick Erica Beeney for her coming-of-age dramedy The
Battle of Shaker Heights and directing duo Efram Potelle and
Kyle Rankin.
Efram and Kyle have a difficult time assembling their cast because
every A-list actor turns down the film. Finally, they settle on
William Sadler (after Gary Cole and Christopher McDonald fell
through), Kathleen Quinlan (the director's favorite, the studio's
third or fourth choice), Elden Henson, Amy Smart (second choice to
Liv Tyler) and last but not least Shia LaBeouf (Holes, I
Robot).
Their biggest hurdle comes in post-production. The film tests
poorly in Canoga Park which forces Efram and Kyle to make the film
more of a comedy which they don't want to do. They deliver several
cuts to the studio and the studio rejects each one. They finally
complete the film just in time for its world premiere and limited
release.
CRITIQUE
Unfortunately for
Miramax, the backstage drama in Project Greenlight is much more
entertaining than any moment in The Battle of Shaker Heights.
Greenlight is reality TV at its best. Efram and Kyle make
better subjects than the first Greenlight winner Pete Jones
because they're not as likable. They seem to alienate anyone they
meet, from Chris Moore to the boom operator. But the show does have
its drawbacks.
It's too bad that Miramax doesn't give Efram and Kyle a more realistic
production schedule. They only have five weeks to edit Shaker
whereas most films have three times that at least. You can't expect to
make a great film if you're not given adequate time. It's almost a
curse now to win the Greenlight contest. You have one chance to
prove yourself and then you're done. The series sets you up to fail.
You only get three works to develop the script, a few weeks to shoot
the film (which is fine) and a scant five weeks of post-production.
It's not enough time and it doesn't help having a camera shoved in
your face. There may never be a successful filmmaker to come out of
the Greenlight series because failing makes better drama.
But not to worry, there's plenty of fun drama in this boxed-set. Watch
Ben Affleck make a surprise visit to the set with then-girlfriend
Jennifer Lopez. Or Chris Moore rant and rave in top form. Moore comes
off as a very articulate, knowing producer but has he made one good
movie after Good Will Hunting? Maybe American Pie, but
other than that he has The Third Wheel, American Wedding,
Stolen Summer, Reindeer Games and now The Battle of
Shaker Heights. Is this a guy to listen to? Is he all talk?
Perhaps Greenlight 3 will answer these questions, which is
scheduled to broadcast on the Bravo channel sometime in 2005.
THE VIDEO
The transfer in video
quality is clear and sharp. I was very satisfied and have no
complaints here.
THE AUDIO
The DVD comes with Dolby
Digital Surround Sound that sounds very nice.
THE EXTRAS
You can expect your
money's worth here. You get a nifty gag reel, plenty of
interesting outtakes, a good amount of deleted scenes
(with optional commentary by Kyle and Efram) and a full-length
commentary track with Efram and Kyle on the Shaker movie.
Oh, and the DVD comes with the movie itself. Pretty cool.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion,
Project Greenlight's second season offers compelling drama and
humor. Matt and Ben pop up here and there, especially in the first few
episodes, but the real stars are Kyle and Efram. They fight, nag, lie,
manipulate and create. Maybe I was wrong, maybe they are cut out for
Hollywood.
