Famous

Aside from that, this piercing character drama is shockingly effective. Pafchek is heartbreaking as the broken but talented actor. When trying to convince his brother that he, Dylan, is, in fact, not a screw-up, the love Jason has for his sibling is instantly evident. Similarly, his respect for Heather and her prior works is never questioned. But, Pafchek ably brings a timidity to the role, one that suggests the darkness brought on from years of childhood abuse that resonates well beyond the screen.

Butler as Heather is fantastic. Her indecisiveness over leaving her current show or not is interesting, and she plays her true motivations with the right amount of grounded reasoning. As such, even though she’s being a little selfish, her rationale is still understood. Look, if I were to list off at least one great scene involving each stellar cast member, this review would be a million words long. So, please note that everyone delivers and hits all the notes. Though, special mention goes to Chris Kattan in a small but pivotal role as the director who helped put Jason on the map. He’s shockingly great and makes a lasting impression despite having less than 10 minutes of screentime.

“…the main action to focus on is always clear and gorgeously photographed.”

As a filmed stage play, one might expect Famous to feel like a theatrical production, not a film. However, thanks to clever lighting and astounding editing, it rarely does. Yes, some sequences are choreographed and blocked due to the space limitations of the stage. But, in terms of visual presentation, the use of close-ups, pans, and zooms, the main action to focus on is always clear and gorgeously photographed.

A deep dive into all the themes being explored might produce some spoilers, though aspects are obvious from the jump. Jack Rossi sexually abused and exploited Jason, Ryan, and so many others before them. It is this that haunts Jason so, and the play deals with it humanely, knowing that while it hurts him, Jason was and still is a victim. Much of the narrative revolves around sex, some consensual, some non, while others find their sexuality, and it is not all bad or traumatic. That Leoni understands this makes the ending that much more heartbreaking.

Famous might be a little confusing at first but stick with it. The actors are excellent, the editing inspired, and the emotionally heavy story is honest. Combine all these elements into one, and you get something that might be hard to sit through but demands that you watch it.

Do you want to be Famous? Then go to the movie’s official website.