Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets

Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets is a 2020 American film that creatively merges the boundaries of documentary and fiction. The film features Peter Elwell, Michael Martin, Shay Walker and other non-professional actors who bring to life an unconventional but fascinating narrative set in a Las Vegas dive bar. It's a film directed by the Ross Brothers who are acclaimed for their distinctive approach in creating their movies, merging reality and fiction seamlessly.

The central premise of Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets revolves around the events of a single day and night in a shabby Las Vegas bar named "The Roaring 20s". Contrarily, the entire film was not shot in Nevada, but in a similar bar located in New Orleans, a creative choice characteristic of the directors' approach. This narrative decision bucks traditional documentary norms and forms the immersive, unique backdrop of the story.

Peopled by an intriguing ensemble of characters, the film leans into the interactions that occur in this shared communal space. As the day morphs into night, we witness the bar's habituees navigating their relationships, life's highs and lows, and their shared sense of nostalgia for a place that’s on the brink of closure. This festive and gloomy atmosphere is conveyed through the use of a remarkably humanistic approach. The bar's regulars come together, not just for one last drink, but to commemorate their shared experiences, grapple with their fears, and confront the unknowable future.

At the center of it all, Peter Elwell's character, a struggling actor turned bartender, is responsible for managing this eclectic array of characters, all while coming to terms with the imminent closure of the bar. Michael Martin plays a sage alcoholic who doles out wisdom and cautionary tales, often simultaneously, while Shay Walker shines as the motherly figure whose nurturing nature provides comfort and familiarity in the face of change.

Constructed in reality but curated like fiction, Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets challenges viewers' understanding of gritty realism. It's not a traditional narrative that works towards a defined resolution or plot twist. Instead, it presents a slice-of-life perspective into a particular space and time, a swan song to an era defined by the people who inhabit it.

The filmmakers brilliantly use the backdrop of the closing-down bar as a microcosm of contemporary American society. A sense of melancholy permeates throughout the film as topics such as economic decline, loneliness, displacement, and the passage of time rise to the surface. Though these themes are somber, the film doesn’t dwell on the despair but instead champions the sense of community and resilience that arises from shared hardship.

The Ross Brothers’ engrossing cinematography sets the film's tone, presenting a realistic glimpse into human lives rich with warmth, sadness, joy, and complexity. The subtle interactions of the characters paint a vivid picture of human connection that breaks the barriers of social class, race, and age. Nostalgic motifs run through the film, as evocative as the vinyl records that crackle in the background, and the smoky haze of the dimly lit bar adds a layer of poignant grittiness to the mise-en-scene.

A unique aspect of the film is how much alcohol serves as a catalyst for conversation, camaraderie, and more often than not, a stark mirror of reality. From nostalgia-fueled storytelling to heated debate, the use of alcohol is not romanticized but depicted as both a salve and a burden.

Moreover, the film also leans into the allure of Las Vegas, not so much as the city of sin but a city of refuge for life's drifters. It's a paean to those who are often overlooked, giving voice to the voiceless, or more accurately, a bar stool and a drink to those seeking solace and company.

In essence, Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets explores both the ephemeral and eternal nature of human connections and shared spaces. It is a bittersweet toast to spaces like The Roaring 20s that, despite their seemingly unremarkable exteriors, foster indispensable moments of humanity. Through its innovative blend of docufiction, the film offers a mesmerizing, poignant study of life, community, atomized society, and the evanescence of time. While it may not be your typical film, it promises to be an unforgettable expedition into the heart of heartland America.