Mister Lonely is a bold, twisted stint at Harmony Korine's version of an inspirational film. The use of immortal personalities ranging from Madonna to The Pope is entertaining, but seems gimmicky when thought of as visual metaphor. Nonetheless, when thought of as "regular" metaphor, the film sets a unique platform for a pertinent critique on individual and media. It brings us into the lives of unenlightened slackers whose mental health is overshadowed by what seems like an almost mirage of a commune inhabited by those who choose a light-hearted lifestyle, but quickly morphs into a mere haven for freaks and losers.
When a vagabond Michael Jackson impersonator (Diego Luna) meets a Marilyn Monroe impersonator (Samantha Morton) in the midst of a retirement home gig in Paris, love forms. After a leisurely afternoon together, Marilyn offers Michael the opportunity to live in an impersonator commune in Scotland with her husband Charlie Chaplin (Denis Lavant), daughter Shirley Temple (Esme Creed-Miles,) and a lengthy list of other unreal personas.
Michael hesitantly accepts, and soon finds himself on a plush green island with a gorgeous Scottish castle, hot spring, and farm. Shortly thereafter, a vague feeling of isolation sets in. Sadness supersedes the vibrant environment when the portrait of an impersonator is colored in for us. But then this internal lack of self-worth is strangely counteracted by a pack of nuns led by Father Umbrillo (Werner Herzog.) Nuns fly, miracles ensue, peoples lives change, and truth slowly surfaces.
Living in the past is a common phenomenon, whether channeled out by sentimental reminiscence or embodying the appearance of a celebrity well past his or her prime (or no longer living,) everybody does it at least some of the time. All Harmony Korine is trying to say is don't do it. It's so uninspired.
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