This is a comment on “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take 2 1/2” but it is not listed independently on Mubi. “Take 2 1/2” continues the experimental meditation on the creative process of film making by not only creating a wholly new experience, but revisiting Take 1, 35 years later in a new context. In Take 1, the crew’s mutiny introduced the conflict and questions that make the film so astounding. What is art? What is the purpose of art? Who controls it? And can the creator ever stake claim to what ultimately becomes of his creation? Out of creation, comes the struggle for power, control and meaning. What marks Take 2 1/2 (and in turn provides a similar conflict) is the overt awareness of these questions. Whereas in one, these questions were stumbled upon, in 2 1/2, everyone has seen and somewhat understands the impact of 1. They know the deal. And thus, the exploration for meaning, becomes an even fiercer competition, each voice determined to be the one that “gets” it, that gives meaning, that takes control. The power struggle becomes one less of uprising, and more of politics. Steve Buscemi provides a celebrity’s touch of legitimacy. No longer do we have a crew of inexperienced struggling artists searching for truth, but a stage of “artists” determined to control.
The genius is that the creative control fluidly shifts not only between the actors, directors, producers and crew, but also the viewer, making the film one of the more engrossing, collaborative experiences you will ever have from the comfort of your own couch. Any attempt to assign meaning to the process is an attempt to exert creative control over the end product. As such, this review is as much a part of the movie as anything on the DVD. FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC. 5 out of 5 stars.