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The November Men

Just when you thought no one was more paranoid than Oliver Stone, along comes "The November Men"-- the ultimate in conspiratorial presidential assassination films. The slyly comic saga marks the welcome return of filmmaker Paul Williams, who carved out a niche two decades ago with such films as "Out of It" and "Dealing." Age has deteriorated neither his wit nor skill at packing considerable entertainment punch without benefit of a big budget.

Just when you thought no one was more paranoid than Oliver Stone, along comes “The November Men”– the ultimate in conspiratorial presidential assassination films. The slyly comic saga marks the welcome return of filmmaker Paul Williams, who carved out a niche two decades ago with such films as “Out of It” and “Dealing.” Age has deteriorated neither his wit nor skill at packing considerable entertainment punch without benefit of a big budget.

The film just might be that rare, quirky item that can transcend the specialized arena and creep into wider release. It certainly works well as both thriller and black comedy. Only its modest production values could keep it from attaining mainstream appeal.

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The filmmaking is wild and unconventional, as befits the subject matter. Noted Stone-like cineaste Arthur Gwenlyn (Williams) is the kind of guy who gets mad as hell and puts that venom on celluloid. What’s gotten under his skin lately is the fact that there hasn’t been an assassin from the left in recent American history. In the months leading up to the 1992 U.S. elections, he contemplates just what impact such an event might have on the political climate and a raft of societal ills.

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He doesn’t exactly know where that scenario might lead in script form. But very quickly he learns conventional Hollywood isn’t interested anyway. He’ll just have to roll up his sleeves, mortgage the house and adopt guerrilla tactics to get this little epic off the ground.

People, of course, think he’s a lunatic. His girlfriend and collaborator, Elizabeth (Leslie Bevis), isn’t even particularly sure he isn’t serious about taking the fiction into a more realistic arena. After all, he’s turned his back on the actors’ union and is soliciting his cast from the ranks of the disaffected — Vietnam vets, the homeless, unemployed and terminally ill.

Duggo (James Andronica), a disgraced Marine, is horrified about the movie plot but desperate for any kind of work. Others in the cast and crew appear to have different and personal scenarios in mind. One even convinces the Secret Service to use him as a mole and plants the seed of a much bigger conspiracy that might lead to a big career promotion for Agent Granger (Beau Starr).

“The November Men” is rife with plots within plots within plots. While it maintains a stone-sober facade, there can be little doubt that director Williams and writer Andronica are subtly applying pinholes to the great gasbag of American hypocrisy. Nothing is too politically correct to evade their droll scorn.

None of this would work without the fierce, airtight wacko logic of Gwenlyn’s pursuit. The very edginess of the story, combined with appropriately off-kilter performances and cinema verite techniques, keep the audience off guard and riveted. Up to the very last moment, one remains unsure whether the movie’s assassination script is only a movie or some horrible extreme of ego and dementia.

Williams beefs up the film’s credibility with footage of the real candidates, including material of himself with George Bush. There’s also an interesting disclaimer that at least sounds legally valid.

Vibrant, original and nervy, “The November Men” should hit the right chord with critics and have solid specialized response.

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The November Men

  • Production: Arrow Releasing presents a Rohd House Investments and Sun Lion Films production. Produced by Rodney Byron Ellis and Paul Williams. Directed by Paul Williams. Screenplay, James Andronica.
  • Crew: Camera (Foto-Kem), Susan Emerson; editor, Chip Brooks; music, Scott Thomas Smith; sound, James Dehr, Vince Garcia; assistant director, Rick Nanis. Reviewed at Chicago Intl. Film Festival, Oct. 20 , 1993. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time:98 MIN.
  • With: Arthur Gwenlyn ... P.W. Williams Duggo ... James Andronica Elizabeth ... Leslie Bevis Agent Granger ... Beau Starr Clancy ... Rod Ellis Robert Davi ... Robert Davi Morganna ... Lexie Shine

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