DVD Review: Beeswax

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BeeswaxI've been a fan of mumblecore films since the genre arose in the early 2000s. While they are works of fiction, these low-budget, talky, relationship-centric films are often uncannily realistic. The charm of mumblecore is that the characters are everyday people who encounter everyday situations; they could be our friends and family members, and their stories could be our stories.

The 2009 film Beeswax, the third feature from filmmaker Andrew Bujalski, is an exceptional example of the genre. Now available on DVD, Beeswax is the antitheses of mainstream filmmaking. A slow-paced, narrowly focused, mostly plotless examination of human relationships, it has nary a Hollywood-glamorous character, formulaic romance or action sequence. Beeswax focuses on the ordinary -- but it does so with such skillful attention to detail that the film is in many ways extraordinary.

Bear with me while I describe what passes for the plot of Beeswax. The film follows two twentysomething twin sisters, Jeannie and Lauren, played by real-life twins Tilly and Maggie Hatcher. Jeannie, a paraplegic since childhood who uses a wheelchair, is co-owner of an Austin vintage clothing store, while Lauren is between jobs and considering teaching English overseas. Tensions mount between Jeannie and her business partner, Amanda (Anne Dodge), as their management styles conflict and communication problems cause repeated clashes between the two. When Amanda hints that the conflict may give rise to a lawsuit, a panicked Jeannie enlists help from her ex-boyfriend, Merrill (Alex Karpovsky), a recent law-school graduate who is studying for the bar exam. In true mumblecore fashion, the two reluctantly meet to discuss the lawsuit but end up in bed together, as if to avoid dealing with the problem for at least one night.

Meanwhile, the jobless, recently boyfriendless and somewhat directionless Lauren does her best to support her sister without interfering in the dispute with Amanda. But after Lauren helps their mother, Paula (Christy Moore), with a familial obligation, Paula's partner Sally (Janet Pierson) can't resist meddling and involves herself in Jeannie's problems.

If this doesn't exactly sound like a gripping storyline, well, it isn't. (Bujalski describes the story as "something like a legal thriller for anyone who finds 'legal thriller' to be an oxymoron." Only in this sense could anyone use the term "thriller" when describing Beeswax.) But of course, Beeswax isn't about plot or action; it's about people. And its characters are so skillfully and realistically drawn that even their most mundane conversations (and there are many, including discussions about missing light bulbs and broken cash registers) are somehow engrossing.

The interplay between the characters is so natural and believable that when a store employee, Michael (Kyle Henry) discusses the store's return policy with a customer, the scene feels as if we're standing at the store register with them, rather than watching actors playing roles. This uncanny familiarity builds empathy for characters who would be of little interest in a more conventional film, and therein lies the point -- and the magic -- of Beeswax.

Beeswax

The mostly nonprofessional actors in Beeswax are all well cast. Of course, the film blends fiction and reality in many ways (for example, the clothing store is Storyville, an actual Austin boutique), so I suspect many of the actors are essentially playing themselves. But in a film like Beeswax, this isn't a bad thing. It may not be much of a stretch for the real-life Hatcher twins to play fictional twins Jeannie and Lauren (in fact, Tilly Hatcher is a real-life paraplegic). But the two play their parts with such relaxed and easy grace—and with nuance that many "professional" actors can't match—that you would swear you've actually met Jeannie and Lauren at a friend-of-a-friend's party.

Karpovsky—probably the most experienced cast member and a familiar face to mumblecore fans—is perfect as the nebbishy, ever-rational Merrill, who coolly advises Jeannie while barely hiding his own anxiety about passing the bar exam. And the same is true of the entire cast, who populate the film with the sort of friends, family members, co-workers, and random acquaintances we all encounter every day.

Of course, Beeswax isn't for everyone; it's a delight for mumblecore fans, but if you're expecting conventional plotting and action, you may lose patience with its methodical, dialogue-heavy pace. But as an astute study of twentysomething angst, the bonds of family and friendship, and the disarray of everyday living, Beeswax delivers. And for fans of the Austin independent film scene, its -- dare I say it -- latter-day Slackeresque qualities make it a must-see.

Full disclosure: Any competently made, low-budget, Austin-based film that is even remotely like Slacker automatically wins a place in my heart. Of course, I try not to let this bias influence my reviews; if Beeswax were made in Cleveland, I still would give it a glowing review.

Extras: The nicely packaged DVD includes some unusual extras, including the appropriately titled Alternate Soundtrack: A Musical Experiment by D.J. Taitelbaum. The theatrical version of Beeswax has no musical score; according to Bujalski, he "meant for the performances, editing, and sound mix to provide all the rhythm necessary to move the story along." The alternate soundtrack by Taitelbaum (who also appears in the film) is meant to see how the film would have played with a musical score. Unfortunately, the experiment often fails, adding little to the film. The score is generally so subtle that it's unnecessary, and at times it's odd and distracting.

A Tribute to Extras includes extra footage and commentary by Bujalski, who discusses the importance of extras and pays tribute to the unfortunate and uncredited souls who got cut from the film.

The DVD also includes a Yes and No trailer for the film, a collection of clips with the words "yes" and "no" in them. It's a curious counterpoint to the theatrical trailer, which also is on the DVD.

I don't normally recommend watching trailers of other films on DVDs, but I do recommend the Beeswax DVD's trailers of other Cinema Guild releases. The releases a high-quality, eclectic mix of foreign films and documentaries, including The Unforeseen, a controversial and award-winning documentary about development near Barton Springs in Austin.

Another nifty extra packaged with the DVD is an actual strip of 16mm film from Beeswax, an unusual feature that makes the DVD a nice addition to any mumblecore or Texas film collection.

Austin connections: Beeswax was filmed in Austin, with many local actors and crew members. Many of the actors are actually local filmmakers, including Bryan Poyser (Lovers of Hate), who plays Karpovsky's roommate; Kyle Henry (Room); David and Nathan Zellner (Goliath), who play brothers in the film; and Bob Byington (Harmony and Me).

For a slightly different take on the movie, read Jette's review from SXSW 2009.