First off, 'Crime Wave' is low budget, with lots of poor acting (except for the okay main parts played by Paizs and Kovacs, with an extra mention for the crazy 'cowboy' played hilariously by Neil Lawrie) and a cheap look, let's get that out of the way for those who might expect otherwise. But Paizs makes up for it with lots of creativity and humor, i.e. the motif of film segments of beginnings and endings, the focus on the relationship between Steven and Kim and the bit with the optical illusion. Thoroughly fun stuff, and I may have even missed out on some clever jokes, as I watched this for the first time without subtitles. Still, I wouldn't give it more than a small 7 out of 10 thus far.
Then, the last half hour really takes off (just about when the characters from Penny's stories come alive in the attic), and the comparison to Lynch becomes even more clear; after the hyper-reproduction of American (well, er, Canadian...) life in the first part which made think of 'Blue Velvet', that crazy cowboy forcing his 'twist' on writer Steven Penny seems to have directly influenced Lynch's 'Mulholland Dr.' - but I have never heard or read about that before, so who knows? In any case that last part is a true cinematic roller coaster ride, where even Jesus is found. Low budget? Who cares.
And for that wonderful last part, I'm giving it one point extra; 8 out of 10. By the way: in some ways 'Crime Wave' seems like a children's film, but actually there are plenty of details and adult references to make it not quite so. Nevertheless, or, all the more reason to: give this one a try if you get the chance!
Then, the last half hour really takes off (just about when the characters from Penny's stories come alive in the attic), and the comparison to Lynch becomes even more clear; after the hyper-reproduction of American (well, er, Canadian...) life in the first part which made think of 'Blue Velvet', that crazy cowboy forcing his 'twist' on writer Steven Penny seems to have directly influenced Lynch's 'Mulholland Dr.' - but I have never heard or read about that before, so who knows? In any case that last part is a true cinematic roller coaster ride, where even Jesus is found. Low budget? Who cares.
And for that wonderful last part, I'm giving it one point extra; 8 out of 10. By the way: in some ways 'Crime Wave' seems like a children's film, but actually there are plenty of details and adult references to make it not quite so. Nevertheless, or, all the more reason to: give this one a try if you get the chance!