re:mote voices

Title: When Will I Be Loved
Cast: Neve Campbell, Fred Weller
Director: James Toback

I can only imagine that if When Will I Be Loved didn’t have Neve Campbell, and Neve Campbell naked at that, it would likely and deservedly have disappeared without trace. A Richard Linklater wannabe, with dialogue that has the flat feel of uninspired improvisation, and tries to compensate with random “celebrity” cameos (Mike Tyson and Lori Singer).

Ironically there is enough plot in there that the film could actually have been worthwhile – instead, other than Campbell, the performances are poor, the direction is unfocused, and the film has ambitions of being pretentious. The story follows Campbell and her boyfriend – switching back and forward in a jarring flow. She has a classical soundtrack, contrasting in a clumsy manner his hip hop accompaniment – both mixed too high in the sound flow. Both of them liars and deceivers. He is poor, full of lies to manipulate money out of people. She is rich, full of lies to manipulate sex out of people. He meets a rich Italian man, and a deal is made where he will introduce the Italian to Campbell.

Exploring the potential of a love triangle, and the motivations of sex and money should provide ample material to work with. As the meeting between the Italian and Campbell demonstrates there is a potential here. However, one good scene can’t save the film from its own sense of worth. When Will I Be Loved is an excruciating cinematic work, best avoided.