Posted: 10/21/2010

Beautiful Losers

by Paul Thompson

This film is a great first film for Director Aaron Rose, who is an all around artist in New York City and director Joshua Leonard who works mostly as an actor. Director Aaron Rose and Joshua Leonard tell the story of a little known art movement that focuses on Do It Yourself attitude; A mindset that seems to be where so many creative people seem to be headed these days.

Aaron’s background as an artist and filmmaker helped him make this film in such a way that it really captures the energy of what it is to be an artist. The film he created captures a movement unfolding in our society that most people will never give much thought to, at least for a few more years.

As an artist, this film is not put together well in a narrative sense, but it doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s an art flick. It shows you the lives and experiences of several different artists such as Mike Mills who works as a filmmaker, graphic designer and an artist. He may be better known for directing the film Thumbsucker.

A Few other artists you may not know, but may know the work of are; Ed and Deanna Templeton, Cheryl Dunn, Geoff McFetridge, Chris Johansen and more. This film gives us a great view into the minds and souls of artists as they journey working for themselves, then working for corporations and businesses before ultimately deciding what paths truly make them happy.

If you haven’t seen this film, I definitely say it’s worth a viewing. Check it out.

Paul Thompson is a film editor, writer and illustrator in Chicago.

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