Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician Reviews

The decidedly lo-fi approach to Southlander is what makes this amateurish production watchable. Having previously lent his goofy charm to Beck music videos, director Steven Hanft brings a similar aesthetic and same lack of rules to this project. Mainly, the film is an excuse to showcase the music and personalities of indie rock superstars like Beck and Beth Orton against a backdrop of drab, washed-out Los Angeles. It also seems to be just a fun exercise for Hanft and co-writer Ross Harris to practice making a film. Working from a loose script and meager budget, they come up with some amusing, if disposable, entertainment based on an actual L.A. trading magazine called The Recycler. Character names (Rossangeles, Steely Danzig) are sure to arouse a few giggles from fans, who will probably just get a kick out of seeing their favorite stars in a homemade-looking film. This is the opposite of glossy, overproduced Hollywood to be sure, with a few obviously low-rent camera tricks and '80s nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Jazz fans may also appreciate the presence of late drumming legend Billy Higgins, who performs with an entire band in front of a chroma-keyed set.