Howl (2010)

Howl (2010)

Genre: Biographical
Directed by: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman
Starring: James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban
Running time: 85 minutes

This is a very artistic and even poetic film, which is understandable considering it covers the life and times of famous beat poet Allen Ginsberg. This movie also delves into the 1957 obscenity trial against the publisher of Ginsberg’s Howl. What we have here is a very good look at the issue of censorship in a era where artists like Ginsberg where thinking outside the confines of conformity.

In Howl, Ginsberg is portrayed by James Franco. I have never been Franco’s biggest fan, always finding him just OK as an actor. In this one, though, he does a brilliant job. He manages to make you forget the actor and just care about the man he is portraying. He does not go over-the-top either, really showing respect to the great American poet that is Allen Ginsberg.

The story is told here in nonlinear fashion, which does make it a little hard to follow at times. Different cinematic techniques, such as animation, are also used to illustrate the poet’s poems when they are being read in various scenes through the actor’s mouth. Howl is not the kind of title you put in your DVD player on a slow night where you want the relax. The story being told is very interesting, it just requires a little work and openness on the viewer’s part. In my opinion, it is well worth it, for the historic aspect of this particular story and for James Franco’s acting work.

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