Zeroville Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A film student with movie scenes tattooed on his head wanders through 1969 Hollywood trying to make sense of things, mostly failing.

🍿 Zeroville: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in Hollywood, 1969

The film opens on a significant day in August 1969, as the ex-communicated seminarian Ike “Vikar” Jerome arrives in Los Angeles. With a shaved head tattooed with images of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, Vikar is obsessed with classic cinema. His arrival coincides with the horrific Manson Family murders, marking a turbulent time for both the city and the film industry.

Entering the Film World

Driven by his deep love for movies, particularly ‘A Place in the Sun’, Vikar finds his way into the heart of Hollywood. Initially working on sets, his unconventional perspective and visual intuition lead him to the editing room. He befriends figures within the industry, including the eccentric ‘Viking Man’, a director, and a seasoned film editor who mentors him.

Obsession and Romance

Vikar becomes captivated by Soledad Paladin, a beautiful and troubled actress whose career mirrors the industry’s changing landscape. His obsession with her, combined with his immersion in film, blurs the lines between reality and the movies he adores. Vikar’s relationship with Soledad and his work as an editor become central to his journey through the evolving, often surreal, world of late 60s and 70s Hollywood.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vikar (James Franco): The movie-obsessed former seminarian who arrives in Hollywood and becomes a successful film editor.
• Soledad Paladin (Megan Fox): A beautiful and troubled actress with a mysterious past who becomes the object of Vikar’s affection.
• Viking Man (Seth Rogen): A larger-than-life filmmaker figure, possibly representing a director like John Milius, who befriends Vikar.
• Dotty Langer (Jacki Weaver): A wise and experienced film editor who mentors Vikar in the craft.
• Zazi (Joey King): Soledad’s young daughter who forms a significant connection with Vikar.
• The Burglar (Craig Robinson): A character who provides unexpected film education and perspective to Vikar.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dotty Langer: “He senses an untapped reservoir of psychosis. It makes him wet.” – A provocative line spoken by the veteran film editor Dotty Langer, suggesting her dark and perhaps morbid fascination with Vikar’s mental state or creative potential.
• Vikar: “Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift… the two most beautiful people in the history of the movies.” – This sentiment is embodied by Vikar’s prominent head tattoo and represents his core, almost religious, obsession with classic cinema and its stars, particularly from ‘A Place in the Sun’.
• Viking Man: “F—k continuity!” – This phrase, attributed to the Viking Man character (a stand-in for John Milius), captures the rebellious, anti-establishment spirit of the ‘New Hollywood’ era the film depicts, often prioritizing feel and chaos over strict narrative consistency.
• Craig Robinson’s Character (The Burglar): “You gotta understand the nuances, man. Sunset Boulevard… Erich Von Stroheim… My Darling Clementine…” – Spoken by the surprisingly cinephile burglar, highlighting that a love and understanding of classic film can come from unexpected places and offering Vikar insights into film history.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,611
• Worldwide Gross: $69,396

💥 Zeroville Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched Zeroville, and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out what I just saw. It definitely looks cool – the whole 60s Hollywood vibe is there, and I dug the attempt to capture that era. But man, the story was a tough one to follow. It felt like jumping between different ideas without really landing on any. I appreciated the acting effort, but even that couldn’t quite tie everything together into a cohesive film experience. It’s one of those movies that makes you think, ‘Okay, what was *that* all about?’

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Cinephiles and Film History Buffs”
  • “Fans of Experimental or Surreal Cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in Hollywood’s past”
  • “Fans of James Franco’s directorial work or the cast”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong Language (F-word)”
  • “Sexual Content / Nudity”
  • “Thematic Elements (Mental illness, obsession)”
  • “Stylistic (Non-linear editing, surreal sequences)”

Professional Reviews

• Film Digest: “Zeroville attempts a nostalgic journey through classic Hollywood but gets lost in its own stylistic ambition. It’s visually interesting at times, but the narrative is disjointed and the characters feel more like concepts than people. A confusing and ultimately frustrating watch.
• Screen Weekly: “Despite a promising cast and a fascinating setting, Zeroville struggles to find its footing. The film feels less like a coherent story and more like a series of loosely connected vignettes. It pays homage to cinema history, but lacks the emotional core needed to truly resonate.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers appreciated the attempt to capture the late 60s Hollywood atmosphere.: Rare positive comments often mention the aesthetic or a specific actor’s performance, but generally, praise is scarce.

Many found the plot confusing and the pacing slow.: The most common feedback is that the movie is hard to understand and fails to hold attention.

Overall Consensus: Generally negative. Most critics and audiences found the film confusing, disjointed, and ultimately disappointing, despite potential visual appeal or thematic ideas.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Filmed in late 2014, the film faced significant distribution issues when its original distributor, Alchemy, went bankrupt in early 2016, delaying its release for years.”
• “The film features animated sequences during the closing credits where Vikar appears alongside Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in a scene from the classic film ‘Easy Rider’.”
• “The production had a relatively small estimated budget of $6 million, but grossed less than $70,000 worldwide upon its eventual release, highlighting its commercial struggles.”
• “References to classic films are heavily integrated, including clips and mentions of movies like ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ and ‘A Place in the Sun’, which are central to the main character’s obsession.”
• “Director James Franco also stars as the lead character, Vikar, in this adaptation of Steve Erickson’s novel.”

🖥️ How to Watch Zeroville?

As of late 2023, “Zeroville” may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services. Due to its limited release, your best options are typically renting or purchasing the film digitally through platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, or Vudu. Check these services for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Zeroville, you might like these similar films:

• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019): Set in the same specific time and place (Los Angeles, 1969) and interweaving fictional characters with real Hollywood history and the Manson Family events, while exploring themes of a changing film industry.
• Sunset Boulevard (1950): Explores the dark, obsessive side of Hollywood and faded fame, resonating with ‘Zeroville’s’ themes of cinematic obsession and the industry’s often tragic figures.
• The Last Picture Show (1971): A seminal film from the ‘New Hollywood’ era ‘Zeroville’ references, capturing a sense of transitional Americana and characters grappling with their place in a changing world, often with a melancholic, film-aware tone.
• The Disaster Artist (2017): Also directed by and starring James Franco, this film similarly delves into the world of obsessive filmmaking and its chaotic, often bizarre, realities, albeit with a more comedic tone.
• Mulholland Drive (2001): A surreal, dreamlike exploration of Hollywood’s darker underbelly, featuring a non-linear narrative and themes of identity and illusion that would appeal to viewers who appreciate the experimental and often confusing nature of ‘Zeroville’.

🛒 Zeroville Related Products

• Zeroville: A Novel: The acclaimed novel by Steve Erickson that the film is based on, offering a deeper dive into the character of Vikar and the surreal landscape of 1969 Hollywood.
• Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-And-Rock ‘N’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood: A comprehensive history of the New Hollywood era that Zeroville attempts to depict, filled with fascinating anecdotes and insights into the filmmakers and culture of the time.
• Classic Hollywood Era Film Posters (Replica): High-quality print replicas of iconic movie posters from the late 1960s and early 1970s, capturing the visual style of the era depicted in Zeroville.
• Zeroville [Blu-ray/DVD]: Physical media release of the film, often including special features like behind-the-scenes footage or director’s commentary (check specific release details).

🎧 Soundtrack

Zeroville features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sister Ray” – performed by The Velvet Underground
• “Suzanne” – performed by Leonard Cohen
• “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” – performed by The Doors
• “Light My Fire” – performed by The Doors

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Disaster Artist Review – YMS

Ever wonder what critics really thought about ‘The Disaster Artist’? Check out this really popular review that breaks down the film’s highs and lows – I thought their take was pretty insightful!

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