Ed Burns is that rare
sort of writer-director currently in the US independent scene. He made
his name directing a fascinating self-penned (semi-autobiographical) ‘The
Brothers McMullen’ which looked at the father-son relationship from the
Irish-American contingent of New York - his continual home and prime location.
While the current political
landscape may not allow people to care about those immigrants any longer;
Burns continues to concentrate on the Irish man and their lives and the
effect of women (‘She’s The One’) and religion (‘Ash Wednesday’) using
convoluted multi-plot narratives. But what is so surprising is that where
a writer-director should increase his scope of vision and voice, Burns
seems stuck in what he knows best.
In ‘Kitty’ he has a small
outline akin to film noir - a beleagured seemingly boring husband wants
to find his missing wife, Burns plays the detective hired to find her.
What develops is a friendship between two very different men who although
both looking for the same women are looking for the different things; one
for love, one for pride and they find the meaning of belonging and acceptance
of their roles.
The detective has his
own past (his wife died) and these moments of introspection for Burns where
he grieves are enlightening and shocking full of memories of loss and clouded
by regret. It is reminiscent of European independent cinema - the loner
who lives alone, avoids communication and social contact (he does not like
to eat indoors not wanting people to watch him), this is reflected by the
bleak cinematography and colour spectrum.
Credit must go to David
Krumholtz who plays Abe, the husband, weighed down by a silly moustache
and zero personality, he blossoms over the short running time - he starts
to like coffee, finds a friend and realises his true feelings for his wife
(who wants a divorce).
Burns’ often the quiet
one in his films takes the role of the not-so-reliable detective and becomes
the big brother dispensing useful advice to Abe with words of clarity and
common sense.
The film itself is short
and yet at times meanders but if you are looking for a typical US indie
cinema - Burns is around and much like Lee and Smith he is comfortable
doing what he does and will remain.
Jamie
Garwood
