Films Outside the Loop Jeanne Chappé

Giles De'Ath (John Hurt) is a reclusive, widowed writer in London who lives totally outside of the 20th century. By the way, his last name is pronounced "day-oath" and he hasn't heard those jokes since high school which was a very, very long time ago. Being a writer, Giles sees no need for a word processor or many of the other 20th century inventions including a TV! After his first wireless interview in years, he decides to attend the cinema. After being mistakenly shuffled into the wrong theater, Giles sees "Hotpants College II" starring Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley). The review for "Hotpants College II" said it was a "puerile romp without a single redeeming factor" but that doesn't stop Giles' infatuation with Ronnie Bostock. Giles sees something more in Ronnie than anyone else understands. The obsession begins.

In order to view the video tapes of all of Ronnie Bostock's movies, Giles needs to purchase a VCR. It takes him a while to figure out that he also needs a TV to view the tapes. Luckily he didn't put the video tapes in a micro-wave oven. He came very close. Since Ronnie is a teen idol, Giles begins stealing teen mags and puts together a secret Ronnie Bostock scrapbook. He learns everything there is to know about this mega dreamboat, including his dog's name (Strider) and where he lives. Chesterton, Long Island. Giles then begins smoking Chesterton cigarettes.

Giles tells a colleague...if you have a theme for your life it should be "the discovery of beauty where no one else thought of looking for it". Try looking for this in a B movie. What a great rationalization for his own behavior! When this colleague suggests that Giles take a trip, Giles heads for Chesterton, Long Island and Ronnie Bostock.

Stalking appears to be hard work resulting in blisters but Giles finally gets a chance to set up an 'impromptu' meeting with Ronnie's girlfriend, Audrey (Fiona Loewi), in the grocery store and he insinuates himself into their lives. Giles wants to write a screenplay about a deaf mute who was raised in front of a television set and he wants to cast Ronnie in the lead role! This would be an art film. It is a quest for love. Aud soon becomes the 'odd' man out...so to speak.

John Hurt is mesmerizing as an aging predator with his snakeskin face and Jason Priestley is absolutely perfect as a blank sponge soaking up all of Giles' seductive flattery.

There are incredibly beautiful images throughout this film and my favorite line is..."Dear God, what have I done?"

Runtime: 1:33

This film is available on DVD, VHS, cable or satellite.

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