The F Word (Weintrob, 2005)

On a search for some entertainment after packing up to head home for winter break, we stumbled upon a film called The F Word (Jed Weintrob, 2005). It would be classified among other things as "fictumentary". IMDB actually lists it as Drama. It follows a radio show host on his last day of broadcast because he is being shut down by the FCC for unpaid obscenity charges. He decides to hit the streets of Manhattan on what is coincidentally the last day of the Republican National Convention in 2004. The entire film is made up of fictional interactions between the radio host, Joe Pace (Josh Hamilton), and people on the street, all set among protesters of the RNC.

I could have done without the dream sequence near the end. The film could have been finished up nicely 15 minutes sooner without it. And the sequence was obnoxiously colorful with lame psychedelic drug effects.

The aim of the film is pretty unclear. On the start it is clearly about free speech, the whole 'plot' centers around the FCC. But about halfway through you realize that the only aspect of the first amendment around is the fact that there are protesters. The film becomes anti-Republican Party and stays that way, until the very end with a cute retrospective recap of what Pace has learned on his journey.

If you tend to hold liberal views on issues, especially social issues, you will enjoy this film. If not, you probably won't, unless you are a conservative that hates George W. There are some interesting exchanges and it is often unclear whether it is scripted or not. It is a cool flick that is worth a watch, even 5 years after its release. It is certainly political, but isn't all too serious about it.