Dances With Films is a welcome (and needed) haven for Independent filmmakers to get their work seen by audiences. The festival showcases many Indie projects that otherwise might not have found their way to cinemas, as today’s studios turn up their noses to anything that doesn’t feature characters with superpowers. The struggling actor/filmmaker with a desire to get their work in front of an audience is the reason Dances With Films exists, making directors Brad Dickson and Daniel Katz’s Dave vs.Hollywood the perfect work to find a spot at this year’s festival.
The mockumentary follows Dave (Preston Tyler Ward), a struggling actor who relocates to Los Angeles without any connections; personal or professional. The titular character is in serious career, financial , and personal decline. The very definition of “the struggling actor”, Dave strives to be known. Sadly, the auditions are many, but the major roles are few. As Dave isn’t getting any younger, another worry is that he will age-out of Hollywood expectations.
What could be a setup for a dramatic skewering of the Hollywood system destroying lives, is actually a witty and very funny character piece, by way of a fake documentary. Vincent Spano is great as always as Phil, the documentarian who is capturing his subject’s never-ending battle against failure. Spano plays it straight, as his character tries to keep a serious face while Dave continuously gets himself into all types of kerfuffles.
The supporting cast gives even more life to the already exuberantly comical film. Chloe Paige Flowers is a warm presence as Jen, Dave’s friend and acting partner, who helps guide both of their careers while (strangely) thinking of her pal as a mentor. Josh Hooks is Dave’s agent, Sean. While the entire film takes the comedic approach, Hooks’ performance is a bit too much and feels as if he is in another project.
Rounding out the cast is the legend that is Eric Roberts as himself. Roberts’ mere presence is already a perfect fit, as the actor continues to be a living representation of the pitfalls that are awaiting every actor. Roberts is a survivor and has been acting in films for almost 50 years, seeing the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. Throughout his career, Roberts lost a lot of relationships, but persevered; beating drugs and alcohol and rebuilding his career, one movie at a time. There couldn’t be a more perfect fit for a project such as this.
Dave vs. Hollywood lives and dies with its lead performer. Preston Tyler Ward is terrific. As Dave continues to dig himself into deeper emotional and professional holes, Ward keeps the character likeable. Although Dave lies and schemes and alienates just about everyone, there is an inherent sweetness to his personality. He doesn’t mean harm to anyone and has true regret regarding the dissolution of his marriage, but Dave is one driven guy. Unfortunately, that steadfast way of thinking (regarding his career) has caused him to shun his responsibilities (Dave is a father) and disconnect from the real world. Preston Tyler Ward has great comic timing and keeps the performance from going over the top.
The road to success is one well-traveled, but one that only a chosen few are able to navigate. Too many aspiring thespians find themselves destroyed by spending years inside a hamster-wheel of rejection, but here are those who refuse to give up. No matter how stalled their career might become, for these determined performers, stardom is just a way further. We might not see it, but they always will.
Dave vs. Hollywood humorously examines such a driven soul. Brad Dickson’s screenplay moves through the (mostly) downs and few ups of an actor’s life with wit and inventive gusto.
Dave vs. Hollywood
Written by Brad Dickson
Directed by Brad Dickson & Daniel Katz
Starring Preston Tyler Ward, Vincent Spano, Chloe Page Flowers, Josh Hooks, Eric Roberts
NR, 87 Minutes, GreenPaint Productions