The Center of the World (2001)
Written by Ellen Wong / Directed by Wayne Wang
Starring Molly Parker and Peter Sarsgaard
88 min / Artisian Entertainment / Unrated
Retail: $14.98 / Street: $13
by Alex Mestas 5/13/2003
More info: Amazon
The Center of the World DVD Cover
The Center of the World?... Oh.
Note: This review contains adult language and situations. Like Mr. Personality. Really, though, this isn't a film for kids and isn't for youngsters under the age of eighteen.

The Center of the World purely about sex. Peter Sarsgaard is a successful computer programmer who becomes entranced by a young woman (Deadwood's Molly Parker) who he meets in a coffee shop. Just as in most tales of this sort, the woman is a little too good to be true. She's intelligent and both a musician and a stripper. As ludicrous as this sounds, the movie presents it in such a way as to be believable. Maybe this feeling is accentuated by the verité style - the film was shot on DV and it certainly looks as such. Coupled with the intimate subject matter it almost feels like a voyeur film.

Peter Sarsgaard plays an disparately different character than the one he played in Boys Don't Cry. I can identify with his character, as can many men of our generation. He's a loner that's more happy in the world of computer games than that of social interaction. Molly Parker's focused sexuality is completely believable as well. I can't say I've ever been in a situation, well...as unique as this, but I can imagine that's exactly how it would turn out. Falling in love with a hooker - that's something that a schlub like me would do.

The two leads are fearless, but it's never really "sexy" in that 9 1/2 Weeks sort of way. The situation, the narrative and the characters are so uncomfortable that the movie makes you squirm a little. There's a lot to like in this movie and plenty to make you squirm. There's some very, very naughty material courtesy of "adult film star" Alicia Klass. And actress Carla Gugino (Saved by the Bell and Spy Kids), has some very naughty words to say as well.

The film was directed by Wayne Wang, director of The Joy Luck Club and Maid in Manhattan. Needless to say, this film is nothing like those, but it does take chances, it makes you feel emotion (albeit it a very unpleasant, sad feeling) and it's independent in spirit and execution.

Check this movie out, but you'll feel like taking a shower after you're finished watching.

Movie Grade: B+

Video: 3 out of 5
It's shot on DV and then blown up to film, so the result is purposefully grainy. If you've seen Chuck and Buck, one of the first DV films to hit the big screen, then you know what to expect. It adds a realistic aspect to the film and coupled with the handheld camera, makes it feel like a documentary.
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.88:1

Molly Parker and Carla Gugino in Center of the World
Parker and Gugino. Yes, it's that kind of movie.

Audio: 3 out of 5
Nothing special, nothing active. It gets the job done. The visuals are really what's more important here.
English (Dolby 2.0)

Extras: 2 out of 5
I always expect to see more extras on independent films than other discs. The lack of wide knowledge about your film should drive filmmakers to inform fans as much as possible. There's nothing much but three endings in the original DV format and a short making-of. Strangely the making-of isn't about the film but about the website. This is interesting in it's own right, but doesn't make up for the lack of other material on the disc.

Overall: 3 out of 5
As you might have guessed, this isn't a film for everyone. It's controversial and sexually charged in a way that can't always be supported by the narrative. If you want a confrontational movie, this is it.

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