Perhaps one of the beauties of most indie films is the heavy use of dialogue and reliance on story and character development. Such is the case with the new film, Late Fame, starring the always iconic Willem Defoe. It is quite refreshing to see Defoe’s character, Ed Saxberger, get his flowers as a poet well after his work had been published. His better late than never recognition was also very humorously ironic. By the end of the film, you will see just what I mean by that. While the story is great, the biggest pleasure I had in viewing this movie was getting to witness what I can only assume is career best work from actress, Greta Lee. Seriously, after seeing this, I am going to go check out her other projects. She was absolutely a delight in this film and was given the best material to work with. She was in the batter’s box the while on screen and knocked the ball clear out of the park, straight into deep space.
The film begins with Saxberger working his job at the post office and going home where he lives by himself. It is quite obvious that this is his daily routine. Which, sure, might be boring, but it is hardly any different than the majority of working-class America. One day on his way home, he runs into a character we later find out is named Meyers. Meyers is a big fan of Saxberger’s work as a poet and says that he and his friends are big fans. I have always been a fan of giving people their flowers while they are still here to receive them. So, it was cool seeing this relatable guy mean something to someone. I think many of us normal people have hobbies we wish we could be recognized for. That is exactly what this film touches on. In many ways, Late Fame is uplifting, whilst also being slightly ironic.
Saxberger is clearly a lonely man. He takes compliments from a young Meyers and his group as he begins hanging out with them. He starts acting quite oddly once Gloria (Greta Lee) comes around and they are introduced. She likes him, sure. But she has more issues than a comic book series. It does not seem like it would end well between the two of them. As she draws nearer to Sax, we see Gloria’s true colors. She is not just a pretty face with an interesting career in the arts. There are genuine problems there. It took this film in a direction I was not expecting for her character. Once you see the scene where she is drunk, (you will know it when you see it) you’ll be screaming, “Oscar her immediately!!” just like I was. I am not sure the movie will have made enough money to make Greta Lee eligible for an Oscar, but the talent is definitely there.
The group tries to do right by Saxberger and invite him to an event they are hosting. These guys are clearly trust fund babies and sit around all day writing because they have nothing else to do but pretend people care about art coming from the already rich. Funny sidebar, but the more they talk about their creative work, the more pretentious they sound. And oddly enough, that is exactly how Saxberger describes them to his friends. I was glad to have that validation. This film is sort of a commentary on how rich society (the younger men in Meyers’ friend group) view the average middle class American. Rich society in America generally believe that the American Dream can be true for all of us if we just work hard enough for it. But it is not always that black and white. Take Defoe’s character for instance. He had a dream to be a poet in his younger years. Yet, he ends up working at the post office. Life for him is not exactly sunshine and rainbows, no offense to the post office. Clearly he wanted his life to go differently. Once Saxberger gets a taste of what it is like to be admired he changes quite a bit in the second act and into the third. There is a scene in this movie between Defoe and a publisher played by Jake Lacy that is pretty entertaining. Lacy is known for his portrayal of Pete in season 9 of The Office. Without giving anything away, Saxberger really is not sure how to talk to a publisher and promote his work. No surprise given that he is basically showing up to something Meyers planned and let him know little about.
There is one glaring flaw in this movie, although I am willing to forgive it because I liked the ending. Basically, without giving things away, what we were led to believe the entire time about Saxberger as a poet is not fully true. It is a funny twist, because it shows the naivete of young people who place their faith in those they do not fully understand. Though it sort of defeats the buttering up of Saxberger by the youngsters.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
Anyone who is an aspiring artist, or at the very least a fan of creative processes of artists will enjoy this film. It is all about being a fan of writing and how that impacts some of our daily choices. Greta Lee steals the show and she uplifts every scene she is in. This film will probably make its way on some people’s sleeper hits list this year. I recommend seeing this film as soon as possible.
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