In another week of lackluster DVD releases (although 3:10 to Yuma was released this week, I have yet to watch my DVD copy and could possibly make the cut next week) I thought I would recommend a disc that came my way earlier this week."The TV Set" is an indie-comedy released earlier in 2007, directed by Jake Kasdan who recently directed the totally unsuccessful "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story". This film also failed to ignite any kind of release and pretty much went straight to video, which is somewhat of an irony: a group of TV people alter and change one's original vision to make a successful sitcom on the 9pm slot.
The show's writer (David Duchovny) has an idea for a show that is a personal story; the lead's brother commits suicide and believes in the idea of tragedy becoming comedy. It's a great script, but as the show goes into pilot season it becomes evident that the suits in charge would rather the dead brother to a dead mother, and, oh yeah, there's to be no suicide either.
Watching "The TV Set" made me realize how much I detest TV and all the nonsense that comes with it. The testing, the meetings, the condescending conversations and all the BS associated with the parties are all featured here, and you can tell writer/director Kasdan has been involved in much of this. Perhaps this is why the film never received a wider release; the studios were too ashamed that someone cut to the real problem that it was ignored. Regardless, this is a funny and potent comedy that should find a nice audience in the home.
Available on standard DVD.
Jason
The Victoria Cinemaphile
