My Big, Fat, Homeless, Berkeley Movie
Director: Johnny Allen Shaw
Producer:Johnny Allen Shaw
Starring: Josey Parrish, Matthew Silver, PLanet, Frank Chu, Harold, Alan, Screwey Lewie, Pink Cloud, Prophet Kennethra & "X"
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: NR
Running time: 52 min
read my spoiler disclaimer

by Andrew James
     Have you ever been walking down the street and see someone "crazy" ranting and raving about one thing or another; usually nonsense? You probably don't want to stop for any number of reasons: the person looks creepy, they may be intoxicated, they're scary, they're speaking is nearly incoherent, you're embarrassed, you may think it impolite to stare or pay attention, etc. You may not see these people often, or maybe not at all, but they're out there (especially in So. Cal); the homeless, the unsheltered and many teetering on the edge of genius or insanity. Well here's your chance to stop and smell the... roses.

      I'm not one who usually enjoys a documentary. What sounds an interesting topic of conversation often is; but only for about 15 minutes. With this documentary, you can't help but keep your eyes glued to the screen with wonder, amusement and delight for the entire running time. Especially taking into consideration a few pieces of knowledge while watching.

      Director, cameraman and producer, Johnny Allen Shaw did not just film something while looking and learning from the outside. This was and still is Shaw's life. He's been "on the streets" since he was a teen and apparently has no plans or ambitions to change this fact. Instead, he's decided to share his experiences and let those that normally don't have a voice, share their opinion with the world on My Big, Fat, Homeless, Berkely Movie.

      Shaw has somehow managed to procure a small, personal, handi-cam along with some editing software and put together interview and clips of some of the many oddities and words of wisdom from those that he's lived with for years. The film is basically a series of clips of different characters on the streets in and around Berkeley. Most of what they have to say is completely inconsequential in a physical, reality-based way; although they may feel that what they are saying is extremely profound and important. And the scary thing is, some of it is.

      The movie itself doesn't seem to have any agenda or mission. Shaw himself is not in the movie (I don't think) and instead points the camera at others and let them say what's on their mind. Learn how to roll the perfect joint, listen to some poetry, spiritual guidance, dance routines, fascinating life stories, politically preaching guys in bathrobes and find out about the coming apocalypse and how George W. Bush and his predecessor, Bill Clinton, are in kahootz with the 2000 galaxies, world takeover conspiracy.

      The only complaint I have about the film is that there are one or two snippets that I found, quite frankly, a little dull. But not to worry, each vignette is fairly short and if something doesn't strike your fancy, fear not, the next interesting subject is right around the corner. Some of the camerawork is a bit shotty; but that's part of the appeal of what makes this documentary so much more real and fascinating.

      Most of everything here is just interesting and fascinating; simple as that. While other parts are legitimately funny in a stupid way, some of these "characters" are completeley sad in a pathetic and pittying sort of way. And as I said in the opening statement, this is your chance to sit and stare instead of walking briskly past the "afflicted" trying to ignore the insanity you're still keeping track of out of the corner of your eye. Most of all, have a good time, because "THE REVOLUTION STARTS NOW!"

drewbacca@moviepatron.com