Written and Directed by Marhsall Lewy (Blue State, 2007) California Solo follows Lachlan MacAldonich (Robert Carlyle), who’s name is so unpronounceable not only do the Americans in the film struggle, but even a Brit would too. MacAldonich is a former famous rocker from Scotland now living the quiet life in America. Trying to live a modest life he works on a farm during the day, also selling his goods on a farmers market. He seems nice enough and is welcoming, friendly and like-able to anyone he comes across. By night he has his own Podcast from the living room of his small home chronicling the lives of all the great rockers who have passed away.
We get an insight into his life within the first few minutes of the film. He keeps his past hidden from the people in his life, so much so it’s revealed that his boss’ son (who he works with on a daily basis) didn’t even know he was in a famous band. He doesn’t seem to want to (or see the point of) tell people about his former glories. He’s also a heavy drinker and this creates the conflict for the film. Pulled over for being under the influence, and with a past misdemeanor to his name, to his surprise and anguish he faces the possibility of deportation back to the UK. He doesn’t want to leave but he also can’t afford the lawyer he needs to keep him in the country. He’s running from his past, he’s desperate not to return to the UK, instead he simply wants to “live out his remaining years in this beautiful country he now calls home.” It’s clear there’s more than meets the eye in his story, whether he just doesn’t want to return to the UK where people will recognise him as that ‘once famous rocker’ or more to do with his brothers death.
We also have the love interest of Beau, (Alexia Rasmussen) an attraction that’s slightly one sided on Lachlan’s part. Beau’s in a tricky relationship but Lachlan obviously has a crush on her. This develops through the film, and they spend a night drinking together because she wants to be around someone who seems “just as sad as she is.” This relationship could quite easily go down the ‘Hollywood route’ but Lewy stays true to the story instead of going off on a needless sub-plot.
His desperate attempts at staying in the country are painful to watch, such as meeting his daughter, Arianwen, (Savannah Lathem) for the first time in years. Still intoxicated from the night before he’s careless and tactless in his approach towards her, mispronouncing her name and being overly nice in a cringe worthy fashion. It all screams out as the last act of a desperate individual. This story gets it’s own time towards the end of the film and it’s a good path it takes, showing that Lachlan has something to change his life for, something he begins to realise towards it’s close.
The film not only tackles the issue of forgotten stars, which the world knows so much about but there’s also a political message in there about the American legal and immigration system. Lachlan has his drivers license taken from him for a misdemeanor, because of that misdemeanor he can be kicked out of the country and in a small scene (and to his shock) his lawyer tells him he can’t post his bond because ‘it’s against foreign policy’. It’s a film that offers more than meets the eye and highlights the importance of indie films to the industry. To offer something different and fresh than the Hollywood engine.
Robert Carlyle plays the role fantastically as the struggling, layered former rocker. There’s something very direct and honest about his performance and Lachlan is a wonderfully complex character. His drinking is self destructive, he does it to bury the pains of his past but only creates new problems in his present. It’s a vicious and on going cycle.
It’s not a large cast and therefore Carlyle carries the weight of the film, and does so with ease. His scenes with Rasmussen and Lathem in particular are heartfelt and steal the film. This is a must for any Carlyle fan and Indie film lovers.
Rating: Robert Carlyle reminds the world what a quality leading man he is (6.0/10)
California Solo, directed by Marshall Lewy, will be released by Strand Releasing on March 5th in the US.
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