Great movie. Dark, endearing, just overall cool. I saw it at a film festival in Flagstaff, Arizona, where I attend college. I don't remember much details but Jim's girlfriend was beautiful and the acting was all-around great. I just wish I could get a video copy somehow!
9 Reviews
Pseudo-noir saves itself from pretentiousness...
mike-94821 September 1999
It would be easy to call this film self-indulgent, pretentious and egocentric but it saves itself from such allegations with some really engaging and witty dialogue - very dry and dark. It is beautifully shot but lacks some pace to what I reluctantly call the story, which is in fact rambling existential angst. I think it is self-conscious enough to know that the under-world of jazz , chain-smoking and greasy hair is instantly cliche ridden and manages, though not all the time, to be inventive enough to avoid inducing embarrassing grimaces or worse, laughs in the wrong places. The lead character you may recognise as Chandler's sinister flatmate in Friends some time ago. I sense him wanting to go down the same path as Vincent Gallo - dying to be an auteur!
one of my favorite movies
mmichellej3 March 2004
this movie gets ripped in reviews, but i have to say it's one of the most brillant movies i have ever seen. it's said to be a watery version of swingers, but in my mind there's not much similarity. every time i watch it it impresses me with such emotion, growth and sadness that i and many of my friends can relate to.
it's a love story first and about a guy who searches and finds himself. brilliant dialogue. interesting characters. beautiful cinematography. shot in black and white. makes LA look like a magnificent, multi dimensional city. it's got great jazz.
If you can get this movie WATCH it, but be prepared to put in some time. it's longer than the average hollywood movie.
it's a love story first and about a guy who searches and finds himself. brilliant dialogue. interesting characters. beautiful cinematography. shot in black and white. makes LA look like a magnificent, multi dimensional city. it's got great jazz.
If you can get this movie WATCH it, but be prepared to put in some time. it's longer than the average hollywood movie.
Post-collegiate self-indulgence
therealmetaman30 December 2001
Goldman attempts a faux film noir that has some nice cinematic details, but the screenplay avoids character development, leaving nothing of substance to chew on. With lines like "What becomes of a poet who cannot write and his muse tired of poetry?," some of this film is hard to take.
Swingers in Black & White
Proz51224 September 1999
I saw this at a special screening in Austin, Texas. The place was packed (I guess everyone will show up for a free movie) and barely got in. After I sat through the 2 hour movie, I thought I just saw a bad black & white version of Swingers. Right after the movie, Adam Goldberg was doing a Q&A with the audience, and complaining he couldn't get anyone to pickup the film for distribution. He says that Swingers was filming at the same time Goldberg created this film, and scoffed at that film. You know which film was a success, and which one didn't get the nod. There is a reason why. Scotch & Milk attempted to be an artsy-fartsy film, but almost made me fall asleep. It's a film about relationships, friends, barflies, love, and trying to get out from the rut. The character development never established itself, and the flow of the film was jagged. This film will likely never reach past film festivals and private screenings, and you'll be glad it didn't. Goldberg is a decent actor, but directing.. just let the pros do that.
A group of would be jazzsters contemplate life.
scrutiny4 January 2002
I remember reading the somewhat positive review of this film
about a year and a half ago in Variety and seeing Adam Goldberg's
name attached to it, who I hold a place in my critical heart for his
appearance in Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused, I wanted to
see this film badly.
I wish I could dampen my enthusiasm a few notches in retrospect.
Scotch & Milk ultimately will remind many of the much better
Swingers, a film I still think was a better screenplay than film, but
even though Milk is more expressionistic and arty, this doesn't
mean its a better film in the long run.
I really do think this film was made for the sole fact to see if the
camera worked. The film rambles from one improvisational set
piece to another, further strengthens the argument against
smoking and drinking, and really doesn't say much that Swingers
or even more to the point, Barbet Schroeder's Barfly, didn't say
better.
I caught this film recently on the Sundance channel and I do agree
with the American Cinematography writer's laudable comments
regarding Milk's look but even some trash manages to look pretty
that doesn't mean it's better. I hope Goldberg has a better film in
him in the years to come.
about a year and a half ago in Variety and seeing Adam Goldberg's
name attached to it, who I hold a place in my critical heart for his
appearance in Richard Linklater's Dazed & Confused, I wanted to
see this film badly.
I wish I could dampen my enthusiasm a few notches in retrospect.
Scotch & Milk ultimately will remind many of the much better
Swingers, a film I still think was a better screenplay than film, but
even though Milk is more expressionistic and arty, this doesn't
mean its a better film in the long run.
I really do think this film was made for the sole fact to see if the
camera worked. The film rambles from one improvisational set
piece to another, further strengthens the argument against
smoking and drinking, and really doesn't say much that Swingers
or even more to the point, Barbet Schroeder's Barfly, didn't say
better.
I caught this film recently on the Sundance channel and I do agree
with the American Cinematography writer's laudable comments
regarding Milk's look but even some trash manages to look pretty
that doesn't mean it's better. I hope Goldberg has a better film in
him in the years to come.
Crappy acting with a hurried chaser.
cgierl1 August 2002
I did not like this film. It was beautifully shot, in black and white, sort of film noir look, but, it never got close to being anything more than a palette for these mid level actors to pretend to be their heroes. These guys are all friends, and, they thought they could make the next Swingers, but, I think in order to achieve that you need to spend a little more time developing the characters. I think this script was written on the toilet in one sitting. That's where it should've stayed.
What?? " Would be Jazzer"?
kkai82 November 2006
Those who don't know what they are saying shouldn't open their mouths... Phil Maturano a world recognized and respected JAZZ drummer happened to have graced this film with his presence..
Not to mention this is one of Goldberg's first "lower" budget independent films which aided in putting him on the path to becoming a working actor and the opportunity to direct more films.. Come now lets not be so angry and cynical. This film came out around the time of swingers not because of it. I assure you that there are plenty of other films out there about trying to get laid and male "studliness" so lets not compare. This film is shot beautifully. Makes LA look like a hip swinging town( which it's pretty much not). Like most blood, sweat, tears and a LOT of sacrifice evidently went into making this film project. Every piece of art deserves a kind gesture. Watch it for yourself.
Not to mention this is one of Goldberg's first "lower" budget independent films which aided in putting him on the path to becoming a working actor and the opportunity to direct more films.. Come now lets not be so angry and cynical. This film came out around the time of swingers not because of it. I assure you that there are plenty of other films out there about trying to get laid and male "studliness" so lets not compare. This film is shot beautifully. Makes LA look like a hip swinging town( which it's pretty much not). Like most blood, sweat, tears and a LOT of sacrifice evidently went into making this film project. Every piece of art deserves a kind gesture. Watch it for yourself.
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