The Ape

source: The Ape

The Ape

As a film school graduate, I've seen my share of terrible films. Being a fan of James Franco's, I felt that The Ape would at least be interesting. Instead, I was tricked into watching a pretentious James Franco ego-trip. The only good part of the film was its music, which wasn't featured enough. Otherwise, this film was slowly paced, overly perverse, wordy, misdirected, miscast and wildly unclever. I hate bashing somebody's hard work, but if I were to sugar-coat my feelings, somebody might make the same mistake that I made by watching The Ape. The next time James Franco has this much time on his hands, I suggest he take up treasure hunting, or anything else that doesn't involve writing or directing.

Sadly, quite possibly the worst movie I've ever seen. How it got made is beyond me. Atrocious idea, Hideous execution... The acting is pretty awful. James Franco spends half the movie with his eyes closed, hopefully trying to erase the whole experience and idea from his mind (unfortunately, it's impossible for the viewer). This movie feels very home made, with poor camera angles. There are a few pretty funny lines and one scene even manages to be downright hilarious. But it's not enough to save this work of 'art.' For a movie so obsessed with creating art, it's beyond me how Mr. Franco could honestly give this to the movie going (renting, actually, as I don't believe it ever went to theatres.. Not really a shocker) public. James Franco seriously needs to redeem himself somehow after this heinous contribution to the cinema canon. And I'm (maybe I was? I was so appalled by this movie that I'm not sure anymore) a fan of his. Do NOT rent this.

This is literally the worst movie ever made. I like James Franco and I'm always pulling for someone to succeed but lordy be, I'm stupefied by both the 225,000 dollar budget of this movie and that someone thought it was a good idea to sell it in bulk. The ape is ridiculous, his mouth doesn't move, they just don't show his face when he speaks, not to mention, they become almost lovers by the end? Was no one else extremely uncomfortable with the apogee of this plot? The plausible nature is already out the window as he moves out of his house just to write a book? The movie just got worse as it went along and despite my hopes for something whimsically odd, it just turned sad. I bought it as a joke. Up until now I thought the Gingerdead Man starring Gary Busey was the worst movie I've seen, I stand corrected. You may step down and take the silver medal, Gary Busey. Just sayin.

I had to rent this movie just because it sounded so off-the-wall that I would probably enjoy it. I did. I've been a fan of James Franco since "Freaks and Geeks" and I was excited to see that he had written and directed the film. He's a great actor and he was great here as the frustrated writer, Harry Walker. Mr. Walker rents an apartment so he can be away from his family to concentrate on his writing. He moves in only to find a talking, wise-cracking, clothes-wearing ape already lives there. It's just such a goofy concept and I love that the ape costume doesn't even come CLOSE to looking realistic. Yet, it's really supposed to be an ape, not a man in an ape suit. It's part of the movie's charm. Brain Lally is great as the ape. The dialogue back and forth between Lally and Franco is hilarious. It's just a great little independent film.

I just recently saw The Ape in Austin, and I absolutely loved it. To any who might doubt James Franco's ability behind the camera, this film will completely change you perspective. It was expertly filmed. The use of music to create almost a dance with the camera takes was wonderfully done each time. Perhaps my favorite part of this movie, however, is the actual script. Written by Franco himself, as well as Merriwether Williams, the writer of Sponge Bob Squarepants, it was originally a play, but it transferred well to the screen. Labeled a comedy/drama, each scene, no matter the situation, seems realistic and understandable. It is difficult to create a film that can make you both laugh while feeling complete pity, but this one does it effortlessly. Naturally, Franco's portrayal of the down and confused Harry is nothing short of awesome. The ending was a bit predictable, but this takes little from the impressiveness of the film. I give it a 9.

The comment by Zach above shows that HE GOT IT! So many people who commented just DIDN'T GET IT! The ape itself is never real! It's just a figment of Harry's (James Franco) imagination. He brought out all of Harry's innerisms, things he wants to say or do but can't because he's too reserved. (This seems to be Franco in REAL life, not just REEL life!) Anyway, my favorite scenes were in the office between him & his 2 female co-workers. His boss trying to hook-up with someone via the internet on "Ron-de-Jew" was a real laugh! I wonder who thought that one up?!? HA! I only have one problem with this film & that's all the cussin' & some of the things the ape did. It was totally unnecessary. One thing I DO applaud is James Franco's turn at directing, writing, etc. This was his 1st go at it. I think he did a good job! I really liked his "interview" on the DVD. He expressed himself very well & did not seem as shy as he is today while being interviewed. I'd like to ask him why...

A comic gem, tongue-in-cheek, dark, humorously constructed. I don't even like James Franco but this film changes everything. He's high in half of the scenes (you think I'm kidding? he is literally stoned in at least 2 i distinctly remember...you know red swollen eyes and all that) not every movie is the Godfather, not every movie needs to be. not every comedy needs to be Annie Hall, i'd watch this 1000 times before i'd ever watch Date Movie, Scary Movie, Epic Movie, Buddy Comedy Movie, Adventure Movie, Porn Spoof Movie, any of those Wayans brothers or Rob Schneider or David Spade vehicles...it's legitimately hilarious and it doesn't retard its audience (okay so there is a feces-throwing scene, but it's about an ape, that's inevitable) also the whole thing with him being an "ARTISTE!" it's brilliant...James Franco: A+ friend Bravo.

I've just had the opportunity to view this movie and on the whole enjoyed it. I have been an avid reader of Dostoevsky for many years but possibly missed the point of the frequent references, was there a particular story that this was based around. Dostoevsky wrote a lot of his work purely to make money and often had to drag the stories out. One of the greatest works I have ever read is 'Crime and Punishment' but very obviously drawn out to produce more entries in the serialised newspaper edition and thus more payments for the author. Back to the movie though I have to say that I laughed out loud on a number of occasions and could see some elements of my own life too, reflected to some extent anyway, in the circumstances of the main character. Summing up I found it an amusing and often succinct story although not suited to all tastes.