 |
| Images Courtesy of Subjective Films |
Corey Feldman
was an 80's icon, starring in such classics as The 'Burbs, The Lost
Boys, Stand by Me, and Gremlins. Over the decades, his
fame has dimmed and; despite various legal problems and substance abuse
struggles, he has attempted to find success as a musician. Marcie Hume's
documentary Corey Feldman vs the World is an objective foray into
Feldman's tour with his group of "Angels". Featuring hilarious
and heartbreaking revelations while slowly, inevitably slipping into dark
subject matter, this is one of the best films of the year thus far.
Jim Cummings
(Thunder Road) executive produced and both he and Hume did a reddit AMA
that was very enlightening, showing the obvious passion that the duo had for
this project. One of the most interesting aspects is how Hume presents
the subject matter, starting with an absurd wedding in which the guests were
asked to pay for their own meals, which is then followed by laugh out loud
musical sequences that are strung throughout. However, underneath the
veneer of fading stardom is an undercurrent of dread. Feldman at
times seems larger than life while other times appears vulnerable, possibly
manic as he desperately seeks the limelight. His Pyrrhic undertaking is
bookended by his alleged childhood trauma and accusations leveled against him
by former Angels, backup singers in his musical endeavors.
Throughout the film, there is an uncomfortableness that is unshakable. The Angels’ diets are restricted, their clothing is chosen by Feldman, and empowerment obviously masks control. As the wheels begin to come off the proverbial tour bus, so does Feldman's comical demeanor, giving way to extreme paranoia with respect to cults, both inward and outward. Again, this is a testament to Hume's talent, as the camera remains neutral, simply presenting things as they are. One of the most memorable moments being Feldman spewing conspiracy theories with respect to Hollywood and a cabal who may or may not be seeking to take his life.
This is juxtaposed by former members of the Angels leveling accusations of abuse and cult-like behavior at Feldman himself, claiming the entire group was essentially a sexual hierarchy in which Feldman was the principal. Ultimately, things end almost as they began, with the former childhood star in the shadows of his Feldmansion, desperate for the next opportunity.
Now available for digital rental, Corey Feldman vs the World is an intriguing film that shows Feldman as both a victim and as an abuser. Perhaps one of the most resonating aspects is that it is clear Hume believes that people can change, and this sentiment was echoed within her AMA on Reddit. Rather than point accusations or seeking clickbait worthy melodramatics, Hume simply allows the viewer to exist within the orbit of one of the most tragic stories in American filmmaking and the result is an eye-opening hurricane of excess and narcissism.
-Kyle
Jonathan