MovieChat Forums > The Delicate Art of the Rifle (1996) Discussion > Why is nobody talking about this movie?!...

Why is nobody talking about this movie?!?!?!?!?

posted 17 years ago by CoolHand8556
16 replies | jump to latest

I was aghast to see the post section desolate for this film. I felt compelled to set right what once went wrong! This is a great(albeit a little known and independent)movie! Why aren't there more film fans out spreading the word about it? I mean, even if you only consider yourself a top seeded amateur movie buff of independent or mainstream films, you should at least give your thoughts on this diamond in the rough. I personally think that this is a fine example of the "independently produced"(yet mainstream accepted)renaissance of the last 10-15 years. Original plot, good use of limited resources, and engaging character portrayls all add up to good movie. If you haven't seen it already, go check it out. Immediately. And lets get the posts rolling, people! I mean if a million people can post on "Bad Boys II", then somebody out there besides me can drop a post.

[–] rafyre 16 years ago

Let's get this started! I saw The Delicate Art of the Rifle a couple days ago for the first time on IFC. I came in a third of the way through, but, instead of setting it to record the next time it's on (which I did) and switching to watch something else, I couldn't turn it off. There was just something about it, if that makes any sense. I've since seen the first third that I missed, and looked on the internet to buy it but nothing turned up. This really is a gem of an independent film; I'm surprised to see it on IFC. Not that IFC doesn't play any good movies, but this one came right out of left field.

[–] tocks 16 years ago

this movie blew me away. i started at the systems class scene, so i didn't miss much, but after finishing it i had to watch the reairing later on the ifc block that night.

this is what every movie should be like. there is no *beep* about it, it's exactly how you think (with the narrative) and it moves exactly how life does. the raw movements and phrasing of the movie had me drawn in instantly. the poetic interpretations of the narrative made you feel everything he was feeling. the awkward interactions, long pauses between dialogue, extended shots like thats what you are looking at, not what else is in the camera, the succinct backstories that don't halt the chaos of the movie unfolding, i *beep* loved it. nothing flashy or quirky or unneccesary about it, and it gives you with glimpse of the strange mysteries within the movie to not reveal anything or give anything away or change their secrecy, even after the shooting and newspaper articles.

if you are one of the few and extremely unlucky persons to have experienced a school shooting, use your discernment. otherwise, i highly reccomend this to everyone mature enough for it, especially young filmmakers--it makes you want to make movies like this, a brutal uncatering experience, and wish all movies wouldn't insult the audience so much and be like this movie.

if you think terms that have the work geek, or nerd before or after it are *beep* stupid, you will like this movie. real geeks or nerds don't call themselves that

[–] nwmoor 16 years ago

This is great! So glad to see others have discovered this virtually unknown gem. Yes, compared to most of what IFC plays these days, this one totally comes out of left field. It's an actual independent, with that great (nearly lost) 16mm look.

This is a haunting film that stuck with me for days. I originally saw it on IFC in 2004 and then it seemingly didn't play again until just recently. I stayed up till well into the night, and like some of you, came into the film about 20 minutes in, and absolutely couldn't turn it off.

You can find DVD's for sale at the site for CLC Films (where I got my copy). So, if you want DVD's for a good price, go here: http://clcfilms.com/about_dante.html

[–] eastonpictures 16 years ago

I like it. Caught it on IFC. IFC has gone mostly commercial. But, every once in a while, they'll show something like this so they can still pat themselves on the back about being independent. What an unusual and rare thing, this movie. That's what really makes the difference about indie films. They're perspectives and themes that the mainline industry won't do. Just like this movie. There isn't a single money-man in Hellywood that would have touched this. I'm glad its creators took the chance on it.

[–] joel_wbs 16 years ago

I saw the premiere of this film in Durham, NC, and the person introducing it made it a point to mention that the filmmakers actually went all out and used actual 35mm film. To finance it, they did everything they could -- including maxing out credit cards and (if memory serves correctly) just going around to everyone they could begging for funding.

I've seen various rumours suggesting that they used product placement for the Coke scenes, but that's not true. Recently, I heard the director mention that Coca-Cola got in touch with them about using their product without permission, but somehow they managed to convince the company it was okay; that they weren't sending up Coke.

Hope this info helps.

- Dutch Hedrick,

Chapel Hill, NC

[–] budwhitey 15 years ago

I caught it around 1999 or 2000 on some movie channel. My girl was the one who disappeared...sucks, how did you guys in NC hear about that?

From up on the 19th (Of April that is)

[–] soneill 16 years ago

because many people today are idiots, terrified of anyone who colors outside the prescribed lines of appropriateness. this movie should be shown in school, starting in junior high. it's important to see that a hideously damaged person can come in any disguise. and often the better the disguise, the bigger the sicko.

[–] BelleCBelle 16 years ago

Please check my post. I would appreciate your input.

"You must be the change you seek in this world."

[–] curtis-8 16 years ago

Well, the main reason this film has so few folks discussing it on IMDB is that if you don't have IFC, and you don't watch the listings like a hawk, it may as well not exist. (and since so many flicks on IFC and Sundance suck so much, no one really expects to see anything watchable there any more). If DAOTR ever played theaters, it was only in a few special screenings, and as far as I know it's never been on VHS or DVD. So basically, very few folks even have the opportunity to see it.
What alarms me more is that I see that the writer of DAOTR has only this one credit, as does the director (for directing, at least). You'd think these guys would have gone on to great things!

[–] mlnorman-2 15 years ago

I just stumbled across this film on IFC and as soon as it was done had to see what else this director has done. So far no leads. It's very sad, because there's really something very special about this movie, which I would ascribe to the director's sense of pacing and atmosphere, although the writing was fairly good as well.

[–] rick-1341 15 years ago

The writer, producer and director of this movie are still together in a group called CLC films. The website hasn't been updated in a while but you can see what Dante Harper was up to several years ago at http://clcfilms.com/about_dante.html

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] CoolHand8556 15 years ago

Sorry you feel that way. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

~Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.~ President Merkin Muffley

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rick-1341 15 years ago

This movie won the Prix SACD (best screenplay) award at the Avignon Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature award at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. If I'm not mistaken the director was nominated for a Spirit Award too. So clearly, this film has some merits.