Crazy Eyes

Narrative Spotlight
D: Adam Sherman; with Lukas Haas, Madeline Zima, Jake Busey, Tania Raymonde, Regine Nehy

One of the great challenges of the acting craft is to appear convincingly drunk. Too sloppy and it becomes parody. Too straight and the effect is lost. Haas and Zima, the two leads in director Sherman’s third feature, have a difficult road ahead since they spend almost the entirety of Crazy Eyes plastered. Rich and aimless Zach (Haas) finds a new project in getting broken-down Rebecca (Zima) to have sex with him. Getting her in bed and sleeping with her (literally) is not a problem, but despite his zealous efforts, it’s a no-go. She could be the key to his salvation, even if he isn’t actively looking to be saved. At times, the film feels a bit too indie for its own good (unredeeming lead, meandering plot, woozy camera, lack of resolution, etc.), but all in all the ride is a teetering but good one. Strand Releasing plans to distribute the film in early summer.

Friday, March 16, 11:15am, Alamo Ritz

This article appears in March 16 • 2012.

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James graduated from Columbia University in 2000 and moved to Austin a year later. Ever since, he has followed the arts and video game scene in ATX, editing and writing stories for the Chronicle along the way. Over his more than 20 years with the paper he has climbed the "corporate" ladder from lowly intern to managing editor.