When making a film, directors always bring something of themselves to the table. They deny it or own up to it, seemingly when it serves the project.

That’s not to say I’ve gone so far as to seek out interviews with director Fred Durst about his thought process on The Education of Charlie Banks. That would get in the way of my naptime. Also I’d have to go into what made John Ford, John Huston, or Ida Lupino tick, and how that plays into the films they made, and Durst doesn’t belong in that cadre.

Durst wants to be an everyman-renaissance man. Musician/record label executive/director. A guy from a working class background who made good and now, at this late date with his window of opportunity long closed and on celluloid no less, wants to offer insights and observations about the world.

A guy who wrote a song about nookie.

Making knuckle dragger music doesn’t preclude anyone from growing as an artist, attaining wisdom, branching out. And we all have guilty pleasures in any of the arts. Heck, I’m a Thin Lizzy fan and have been known to put on Madonna’s Ray of Light or The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace.

By adding director to his hyphenate, Durst has attained nothing with this film.

The Education of Charlie Banks is slightly grittier than an after-school special and just as tedious. Starting in the 70’s and ending in the 80’s. Mick critically injures two guys at a party. A neighborhood nebbish, Charlie, witnesses the fight, turns Mick in, then rescinds his testimony. In part because he admires Mick. In part because a mutual friend of the two, Danny, talks with Charlie about friends having your back. Charlie’s father is very disappointed in him. Very disappointed. Mick never finds out who turned him in. Then Charlie and Danny are off to college three years later, doing well in their studies thank you, and Charlie likes a congressman’s daughter. Then Mick shows up to stay in their dorm room. His reason for being there is off kilter. Charlie is tense. Mick is charismatic. Drama and learning about life ensue.

There’s no chemistry or connection between any of the characters. Nothing rings true in the friendships or romantic interests. It’s a point and shoot and point and write exercise. This flat scenes goes here, she says a stale line there and…..done. The whole film feels like a surface existence Durst wanted for his own life. Sensitive tough guy. Ivy league and street savvy.

This film got in the way of my naptime. – [DVD]

Drama

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 06/30/09

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