Memory lapse
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Wildcat File Photo
Arizona Daily Wildcat
There's actually a gun in Giovanni's hand. You just can't see it. Neither, apparently, can Carla.
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Success in the world of cinema is always paradoxical; studios want to make money while directors, writers, and actors want to create art. Some films avoid the conflict by being released under independent production companies, and others choose to disregard aesthetic beauty in the interest of pure capitalistic gain. "I Finally Forgot What You Did Last Spring Break and I Don't Give a Damn" is a perfectly unabashed example of the latter category. This film even sacrifices a coherent plot in its effort to reach as many demographic groups as possible.
Warning: Certain aspects of this movie may sound slightly familiar.
"I Finally Forgot..." starts in northern France in 1616 over Spring Break. At a beach house on the shore is William Shakespeare, portrayed by Joseph Fiennes with a great amount of angst and frustration due to a recent case of writer's block. Under the advice of his friend Ned Alleyn (Ben Affleck in a delightful cameo), Will takes a week off and sails the English Channel to the French coast. However, when nearby Normandy is invaded, and all of France is ravaged by war, Will's lackadaisical literature takes a back seat to the rescue of a mentally challenged girl named Carla, who is played with disturbing accuracy by Juliette Lewis. Will nurses her back to physical health, and consoles Carla of the devastating loss of her family.
During this time of long talks and shared memories, the innocence and lovable stupidity of Carla captures his heart. Although Will believes that all of Carla's family died in the assault, they soon discover her evil sister Kathryn, managed to survive. Sarah Michelle Gellar emulates the diabolical and scheming Kathryn with cunning depravity. When she sees the blissful love blossoming between her unknowing sister and a troubled playwright, her task is clear. She must find a way to sabotage their relationship, regardless of whomever she must cross.
Thus, Kathryn enlists the help of three juvenile delinquents in exchange for their protection from the local authorities. Claire Danes plays Julie whose mission is to seduce Shakespeare, while Giovanni Ribisi uses the character of Pete to win the heart of Carla. Oddly enough the connection between these latter two actors is uncanny, as though they had previously worked together. The other component in this trio is Linc. Omar Epps does an effective job of playing the odd-man-out, but since he is the odd-man-out there isn't much of a part to play.
As "I Finally Forgot." progresses through a plethora of cinematic genres and quirky plot devices, one cannot help but wonder where the film's writer/director, Kevin Williamson, is headed. One minute he is conveying a sweet love story and the next it's all about the escapades of naughty club kids. With such a haphazard plot, the viewer tends to overlook the questionable acting and glaring anachronisms for the sake of simply attempting to follow along.
To be completely honest, I cannot tell you how "I Finally Forgot." ends because I was too busy analyzing the acting, writing, and direction just as a critic should in a normal movie where the plot pulls you through. I seem to remember that Kathryn somehow motivates Shakespeare to write "Taming of the Shrew," and that Carla and Pete fall madly in love. Speaking of Carla, Juliette Lewis gives one of her best performances as she portrays Carla's retardation with stunning precision.
Ultimately, the improbable events and lacking direction make "I Finally Forgot. "rather forgettable. While the viewer might be entertained by Williamson's Herculean efforts to string several blockbusters together into one dubious film, you'd be better off waiting until they're all out on video.
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