by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Why are documentaries a hard sell for so many people? In many ways, most of them fit into a specific formula of voiceover and interviews that are trying to teach you something. Many people look for escapism when it comes to watching films, and documentaries tend to drive us back to our own reality and the world that we live in. Some documentaries can transcend this expectation and offer up something unique and special in terms of storytelling.
But what if a documentary takes things too far and is too bold? That description certainly matches the approach taken with the new film, Rondo and Bob. A lot can be admired about the bold storytelling that is attempted with this new film. Writer-director Joe O’Connell attempts to weave together the stories of two men in the film industry. Robert A. Burns was the art director on the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But Burns has a fascination with the one and only Rondo Hatton, an actor with a distinct case of acromegaly giving him a unique and striking look.
What is the approach that O’Connell takes in trying to bring these two men’s stories together? Unfortunately, the film lacks any form of actual structure. The narrative swings back and forth between the focal points of the films. There appears to be no rhyme or reason as the film bounces around between their careers and the greater cinematic narrative that the film is trying to convey. O’Connell has an over-reliance on dramatizations, which is an odd choice when this is supposed to be a documentary. The film also confuses the audience with what is reenacted and what is actual footage.
But what about the dramatizations? Do they bring anything of consequence to the film as a whole? Honestly, they are rather distracting. This is the complete opposite effect that you want to have. The acting is amateurish and clunky, making them hard to take seriously. There are only a few that really standout for good reasons, including one where Rondo connects with a young woman. Outside of that scene (and maybe a couple of others), they are awkward and not entertaining. There were certainly other ways they could have conveyed the story and information they were trying to get across. If that wasn’t enough, the sound mixing is poorly done, leaving moments where I thought my ear drops would burst from surprising jolts in volume through the film.
Does Rondo and Bob offer cinephiles enough to get past its filmmaking shortcomings? Not quite. There are certainly informative elements in the film that will give you more perspective on this time in filmmaking. The way that these elements are conveyed are too muddled and messy to come across in a consistent and coherent way. The over-reliance on dramatizations (and cheesy ones at that) make for a distracting and underwhelming cinematic experience.
Grade: 3/10
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