A colossal mess that is far more intriguing and entertaining than 99% of modern indie film. The sheer absurdity of the film, combined with the filmmaker’s brashness, is a refreshing middle finger to critics and Hollywood. Donnie Darko was Richard Kelly making a movie about the 1980s, the time period of his fondly remembered teens. Southland Tales was the movie that a teenage Richard Kelly would’ve made if he had been given millions of dollars AS a teenager in the eighties. Take this film too seriously at your own risk.