Fix Review
By David Kempler
Now I Need a Fix
"Fix" is inspired by a true story that involved director Tao Ruspoli personally. The story is about Milo (Ruspoli), a documentary filmmaker, who is dragged into an adventure because of his brother, Leo (Shawn Andrews). Leo is a drug addict who gets by on his brand of charm. Milo and his girlfriend, Bella (Olivia Wilde), have to rescue Leo from himself. Leo is always in and out of trouble and this time he has really screwed up. Only entering a drug rehabilitation program will prevent him being sent to jail. The three of them careen around the Los Angeles area in an attempt to raise the admission fee for Leo's rehab. All of it is filmed through the eyes of Milo's handheld camera, which he usually employs while making documentaries.
The overall effect is that we feel like we are watching a documentary that is happening to people who are usually filming others instead of themselves. It's not as confusing as it sounds but it is pretty hectic. Shawn Andrews does an outstanding job as Leo. The reason I know this is because I hated him with a very intense passion. If you feel anything intensely towards a performance the performer has done good work. However, I'm pretty certain that Ruspoli does not mean for us to hate Leo.
There are times that we react to characters because of our own personal experiences, biases and attitudes, and objectivity is difficult to maintain. In my opinion, if you present me a character who acts like a dirtbag, you have two choices as a storyteller: you can either have the character do something to redeem himself so that we can identify with him, or you must play the character as unlikeable. Ruspoli does neither. Leo wins over everyone onscreen even though he is behaving incredibly badly.
I have an enormous problem with that and it made me feel overwhelmingly negative towards "Fix". Other people who viewed it that I respect did not share my reaction and looked upon it favorably. I think this is because Leo's character reminded me of someone I knew that was a despicable human being. Whether or not others will react like me to this particular set of circumstances is impossible to say. Therefore, even though "Fix" doesn't work for me, it may work for you.
