Fast, Cheap & Out of Control
Fast, Cheap & Out of Control ★★★½ 1997 (PG)
Director Morris' use of odd camera angles, unusual editing, and dark humor increases with each outing but always seems to enhance interest in the subject matter rather than detract from it. While his previous films have focused on just one subject, this one features four: a wildanimal trainer, a topi ary gardener, a scientist who creates ro botic insects, and a man who studies mole rats. Through intercutting and the over lapping of the subjects (at times audio from one is played over the visuals of another), Morris gives the impression that they are all linked together. Old movie footage is used to add an unreal quality, and the score by Caleb Sampson of the Alloy Orchestra hypnotically completes the surrealism. This is the story of four obsessed men, but none as obsessed as director Morris himself, with his need to show that truth is stranger than fiction. 82m/C VHS, DVD. D: Errol Morris; C: Robert Richardson; M: Caleb Sampson. Natl. Bd. of Review '97: Feature Doc.; N.Y. Film Critics '97: Feature Doc.; Natl. Soc. Film Critics '97: Feature Doc.