Beaver Trilogy Part IV (2015)
A chance meeting in a parking lot in 1979 between filmmaker Trent Harris and a young man from Beaver, Utah inspired the creation of an underground film that is now known as Beaver Trilogy. But the film itself is only part of the story.
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Really Surprised!
Brilliant and touching
The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Almost 12 years ago, I had the privilege of taking Trent Harris' film class at the University of Utah, and we were assigned to observe the original "Beaver Trilogy" for an assignment. For those who don't know, this collection of three short films begins with the actual 1979 encounter with Dick Griffiths (aka Goovin' Gary) outside the KUTV studios. Griffiths eventually invites Mr. Harris to film a talent show in Beaver, Utah where he performs as "Olivia Newton Dawn." The following two elements are fictionalized recreations Mr. Harris developed starring Sean Penn and Crispin Glover respectively. Director Brad Besser sets two paths into motion in this "Where Are They Now?" endeavor as he seeks to find the whereabouts of Mr. Griffiths nearly 36 years later and showcases Mr. Harris' wild film career. While the latter takes viewers from the L.A. riots to Southeast Asia with Mr. Harris' undertakings, it's the candid interviews and uproarious tales from friends and family in central Utah that provide the most entertainment. Rather than having the story lines veer away from each other, it would have been more appealing to keep the direct line to the source material intact with additional stories from the Griffiths and their friends. -Jimmy Martin