And God Spoke

And God Spoke, a 1993 cinema verite-style satirical comedy by director Arthur Borman, delves into the absurdity and pretensions surrounding the film industry, a self-reflexive journey following two naïve and ambitious filmmakers in their ambitious pursuit to create an extraordinary motion picture. The movie features Michael Riley, Stephen Rappaport, and Tamara Mello, each contributing their unique talents to create memorable characters you won't soon forget.

Borman’s film centers around two determined, yet somewhat bumbling filmmakers, Clive Walton (Michael Riley) and Marvin Handleman (Stephen Rappaport), characters representative of the optimism and audacity often associated with the film industry's romance. With a mixture of naivety and ambition, they embark on a monumental endeavor to create an entirely new biblical epic: The First Testament.

Armed with a lot of enthusiasm but very little knowledge of the Bible, the filmmakers' mission quickly descends into chaos and comedy. And God Spoke showcases the trials and tribulations they encounter along the way - financial issues, casting mishaps, fragility of egos, location mishaps, creative disagreements, and the occasional biblical plague. As they grapple with these absurd challenges, the film brilliantly captures the quirky, chaotic world of independent filmmaking.

The film is a delightful mixture of irreverent humor and poignant commentary on the filmmaking process. The narrative thrives in its depiction of the characters' misguided attempts to produce a historically accurate biblical movie. The filmmakers' overambitious pursuit of making their magnum opus forms the essence of this satire, where every scene is laced with hilarious and ironic situations, recreating the chaotic world they belong to.

Michael Riley serves as the film's heart, where his portrayal as Clive Walton is filled with notable optimism and glaring naivety, a character who, despite repeated blunders, perseveres in the face of failure. Stephen Rappaport complements him perfectly as the audaciously zealous yet woefully inept Marvin Handleman, demonstrating an unwavering faith in their project. Tamara Mello rounds the cast with her enthusiastic and convincingly portrayed assistant, who tries to offer a semblance of order to the team's chaotic endeavor.

And God Spoke also perfectly blends fictional narrative with a documentary-like approach. The film feels like a behind-the-scenes journey, offering viewers a unique peek into the actual filmmaking process's joys and disappointments. This approach further amplifies the comedy, transforming the narrative into an engaging satire.

To add authenticity to its premise, And God Spoke is graced by the appearance of a range of real-life entertainment industry celebrities playing themselves or incarnations of themselves. These cameos contribute tremendously to the film's humor and validity as a faux "documentary," bring an air of authenticity to the wild plot and wacky characters.

And God Spoke effectively maintains a careful balance between comedy and sharp critique, highlighting the absurdity and grandeur that often accompanies independent filmmaking. The trials and tribulations that Clive and Marvin endure highlight the struggle of filmmakers trying to make it big, resonating particularly with anyone who has ever worked on a film set.

Arthur Borman's vision is beautifully captured on screen, showcasing a sharp, funny journey filled with mishaps and hilarity, an unforgettable adventure via the trials of filmmaking as seen through the eyes of Walsh and Handleman. The narrative is unpredictable, the characters are endearing, and the humor is relentless, making And God Spoke an entertaining kaleidoscope of the film industry's bizarre nature.

In essence, And God Spoke serves as a good-humored yet biting satire of the filmmaking industry, illustrating just how far some people will go to realize their visions and dreams. Simultaneously, it revels in its depiction of the frantic world of film production, telling a timeless tale of passion, ambition, and oft-misguided determination. Moreover, And God Spoke stands as a testament to independent filmmaking, epitomizing the optimism, audacity, absurdity, and hilarity that can accompany such endeavors.