Paranoid and confused

Gus van Sant's "Paranoid Park" is headscratcher. The story of an alienated 15 year old skateboarder with a dark secret swings between moments of cinematic brilliance and amateurish teen acting which pops the bubble.

This is a shame because basically we have a brilliant little story here of Alex, a young man who does something silly in a moment of panic, and keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into his hole. It's a situation we've all experienced (although hopefully not to the extent experienced by young Alex.)

Like "Vanaja" "Paranoid Park" figured at this years Spirit Awards and even took an award for producer Neil Kopp.

This may well be because while the film is annoying in it's inconsistancy, the story really sticks, and tends to swim back to the fore when you least expect it.

Confused? Sorry. I am too.