Dark Horse

Dark Horse is a 2011 American comedy-drama feature film that serves as a tragicomic exploration of life, dreams, unrealized ambitions, and unrequited love. Helmed by acclaimed independent film director Todd Solondz, the movie features a star-studded ensemble cast, which includes stellar performances by Jordan Gelber, Selma Blair, and Christopher Walken.

At the center of the story is Abe Wertheimer, played with remarkable authenticity by Jordan Gelber. Abe is an emotionally immature, 35-year-old man, who still lives with his parents Jackie (played by Christopher Walken) and Phyllis (played by Mia Farrow). Stuck in a monotonous routine, Abe spends his days working for his father's successful real estate company. Still, it is his self-delusional attitude that is reluctantly tolerated and constantly induced by his parents.

The film artfully portrays the character of Abe as a spoilt man denied the chance to grow up by his overindulgent yet indifferent parents. The gloriously rewarding performances of Christopher Walken and Mia Farrow as Abe's parents situate them as more than caricatures, instead highlighting their own complexities.

Together, the family leads a comfortable yet disillusioned life in the suburban sprawl of New Jersey. Abe finds refuge in his childhood room full of action figures and collectibles, stubbornly holding onto the dreams of his youth and refusing to mature with age, thus embodying the figure of a real-life 'dark horse'.

The film takes a significant turn when Abe, out of the blue, falls in love with Miranda (played by Selma Blair), an equally discontented and medicated woman. With confidence bordering on audacity, he proposes to Miranda just after their first date. Embodied wonderfully by Selma Blair, Miranda's character proves to be the perfect antithesis to Abe, as she carries her own set of insecurities and frustrations.

Director Todd Solondz is known for his keen observation of characters with shrewd, bitter humor, and Dark Horse is no deviation from this trajectory. The narrative reveals a painstakingly realistic image of a man-child trapped in the web of his own disillusionments. Interlaced with Solondz's unique gallows humor, the film adroitly balances the comedy of embarrassment and the tragedy of failure.

Dark Horse distinctively deviates from the typical Hollywood formula. Its humor is often discomforting, and the whiff of awkward human interaction often leaves the audience squirming in their seats. The depiction of Abe's delusional world is heartbreaking yet absorbing. Similarly, the exploration of Miranda's complexities offers some of the film's best moments.

The movie is not only about its compelling characters but also about the world they inhabit. The film's setting in the characterless suburbs of the Garden State is no accident. It portrays alienation and disappointment, serving as a perfect backdrop for the melancholic atmosphere of the narrative. Solondz uses this setting with great effect to question the notion of the so-called 'American Dream'.

The clever cinematography by Andrij Parekh and Ed Lachman adds to the visual appeal of the film. They beautifully capture the soul-crushing banality of the suburbs, metamorphosing them into a kind of limbo where dreams are perpetually deferred.

Moreover, the film's unconventional and surreal moments lead to some genuinely thought-provoking sequences. Each character's life seems to be a quest for validation which is always elusive, subtlely shedding light on the emptiness of their existence.

In conclusion, Dark Horse is an affecting and poignant movie, thought-provoking in its depiction of unfulfilled dreams and desires. The film might leave you heartbroken, but it would also make you appreciate life and reality. It is a dark, quirky, uncomfortable, but powerful study of human nature. Engaging from start to finish, Dark Horse holds its audience captive with its raw depiction of life and its myriad disappointments, serving as a reminder of the harsh realities that often lurk below the facade of the levity of life. For fans of Solondz's signature style, or for those looking for a film that offers a bit more than simple entertainment, Dark Horse is a must-watch.