Writing is hard.
Finding a topic you’re passionate about and articulating it in a unique and engaging way is hard. I know this, every writer knows this, it’s not new. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying too hard to sound interesting.
There’s nothing wrong with exploring or trying something new, but if you get esoteric in a forced way, it comes off as desperate. Audiences can feel when the writer isn’t passionate and just navel gazing. This writing stagnation is explored in the darkly comic The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer, dear god that’s an incredible title, where writer/director Tolga Karaçelik showcases fun characters and a clever set up in his English language debut.
The film follows Keane (John Magaro), a struggling writer whose depression from an impending divorce from his frustrated wife Suzie (Britt Lower), leads to a chance encounter with a retired serial killer, Kollmick (Steve Buscemi). Kollmick agrees to teach Keane everything he knows about being a killer as material for his next book, while being roped into playing marriage counselor for Keane and Suzie. Magaro’s performance as Keane achieves the perfect balance of cowardly and pretentious while still being relatable. His character is annoying at times, but you do feel his passion for writing alongside his insecurity. As such, you see why people would be initially attracted to talking to him, but grated overtime from his thoughtlessness. He’s never insincere just up his own ass more than he should, and Magaro’s delicate but lively performance really makes the film work.
Shallow is also extremely funny, seeing serial killer Steve Buscemi being a marriage counselor that gives surprisingly good advice to help Keane grow up is hilarious. Everyone’s comic timing is perfect but Buscemi especially is having a lot of fun in the role. He toes the line between menacing and weirdly wholesome, like he’s enjoying helping this writer out, even when frustrated, and doesn’t really understand why. Britt Lower is also great as Suzie, as while her blunt, cold delivery feels a tad forced, she gradually gets more endearing. I do think the film ends way too soon and needs about 20 more minutes to give our characters deeper closer, and Suzie especially deserves that time to stick the landing.
Shallow is a unique and funny film that goes into enough unexpected directions and contains enough strong characters to make for a solid sit. It presents interesting ideas, and does reward paying attention, but I think the film needed more time to marinate. The film ends right when it’s really getting going. With a longer run time the film could’ve been stronger, but for what we got, it’s a fun sit.
