Second Best

Second Best is a captivating, poignant, and quirky film that drills down into the unique and often overlooked world of small-town losers who have big dreams. Released in 2004, this dramatic and darkly comedic film features compelling performances by Joe Pantoliano, Boyd Gaines, and Peter Gerety amongst an ensemble cast.

Joe Pantoliano is well known for his diverse on-screen abilities, and his portrayal of Elliot, a small-town loser who aspires to live a life less mundane, is compelling and arresting. Elliot Koblenz, a 40-year-old bachelor living a rather aimless life in a small East Coast town, aspires to escape his placid existence and accomplish something notable. He fantasizes about becoming a successful author while struggling with his repetitive, unremarkable day-to-day life.

Underneath his seemingly banal existence, Elliot is a man of deep insight and vision. Although he has not yet written a single word, he envisions his unwritten book becoming a best-seller, basking in its acclaim and the grandeur of elite intellectual circles. The film explores the dichotomy of aspiration and reality, wrestles with the question of what it means to succeed and to fulfill one's dreams in a world that worships celebrity.

Boyd Gaines executes an equally poignant performance as Carleton, Elliot's best friend. Carleton shares Elliot's ambition but surpasses him in underachievement. Consequently, their relationship is filled to the brim with competitiveness, jealousy, bitterness, but also a strange sort of camaraderie rooted in shared frustration and ambition. Gaines's portrayal of Carleton expertly achieves a balance between comedy and pathos – we laugh at his antics and yet we feel for him in his despair.

Peter Gerety, a character known for his robust and compelling performances, portrays the seemingly cold and calculating publisher who becomes a significant part of Elliot's dreams. Gerety's performance adds another dimension to the narrative, encompassing a level of realism and ultimately contributing to the complexity of Elliot's pursuits.

The film is largely characterized by its dark humor, as it tries to understand what constitutes a 'loser.' The film deftly handles serious issues such as ambition, purpose, failure, and the human capacity for self-delusion through a lens of comedy. The narrative and performances ingeniously address the universal feeling of dissatisfaction with one's current life and the ever-present pursuit of ambition and success.

The film's script, written by Eric Weber, is sharp, intelligent, and often fiercely funny. It manages to address both the absurdity and tragedy in the pursuit of ambition and the reluctance to settle for mediocrity, painting a poignant picture of dreams and aspirations that are often overlooked.

Set in a small, East Coast town, the film's setting is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a small town, where gossip is currency, and everyone knows your business. The town's somber landscape adds another layer to the narrative, mirroring the characters' mundane lives while encapsulating their restless ambition to break free.

The cinematography, under the direction of Rob Schmidt, is noteworthy. The visuals capture both the stifling nature of the town Elliot desperately wants to escape and the deep-seated longing he has for a life less ordinary. The film's visuals perfectly complement the script's comedic poignancy, enhancing the film's themes of aspiration, failure, and success.

The director, Eric Weber, put together a film that is deep, challenging, and original. His work paints the small-town American dream in a unique light, challenging the viewer's perception of success and failure. Weber's keen focus on the poignant core of Elliot's hopeless ambition captures a universal human experience: the disparity between our high-flying dreams and our often less-than-spectacular reality.

In conclusion, Second Best is a film that is as amusing as it is thought-provoking. It presents a rich tapestry of characters, each grappling with their sense of self and ambition in a world that doesn't seem to care. The film challenges mainstream success narratives, presenting a fresh and delightful exploration of the human condition. It’s most certainly a hidden gem that represents a compelling narrative in a somewhat forgotten corner of the American dream, and a must-watch for those favoring character-driven stories with a bit of heart and a lot of humor.