DVDs in Review

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

Title: The Inner Life of Martin Frost (2007)

Release date: September 7 2009

Certificate: 12

Format: DVD

DVD RRP: £15.99

Rating: 2/5

Paul Auster has found considerable fame and acclaim as a novelist ('The New York Trilogy' and 'The Book of Illusions' are fine examples) and has successfully crossed his prose over to film ('Smoke' and its improv sequel 'Blue in the Face'), but when writing the script and directing 'The Inner Life of Martin Frost', something went wrong.

Its an intriguing premise: David Thewlis (Mike Leigh's 'Naked') plays the writer of the film's title who breaks free from society by staying in a friend's vacant house in the remote country. One morning he wakes up to find a beautiful girl in his bed (a fiery Irene Jacob).

Mystified by her presence, he's compelled to write something new, but as his work progresses she becomes increasing unstable and ill. Is she just a figment of his creative imagination or is she an obsessed fan with a mental imbalance?

The writer feels haunted, lost, confused as this woman hacks away into his persona. This could've been a skilful film but unfortunately Auster's direction ranges from heavy handed (such as the narration and wooden scene blockings) to overly symbolic (illuminated typewriters in otherwise dark rooms).

There's a similar divide between the film and its audience

To make a film succeed that sees primarily just two characters interacting in one location, the script needs to be solid and the acting even better. The script is lacking, predictable and doesn't offer any opportunities to actually like the central characters - it's just a mystery that soon wears thin.

The acting is even worse; Thewlis in particular is awful and somewhat reminiscent of Jude Law's horrific, annoying turn in 'Sleuth'. Thewlis gasps and exclaims his way through conversations while Jacob remains almost sedated, occasionally bursting out into zaniness - an odd couple for sure.

And by the end, that's the film's problem - it's odd without resolve, but not intriguingly made to warrant further audience participation. This lukewarm release is available through Axiom films, with the DVD hosting stills, a trailer, an interview with Auster and a making of.