Art Of A Hit

Art of a Hit is a film that attempts to blend the world of music with horrific elements, but the result is hardly convincing. The film, directed by Gaelan Connell and co-written with Charlie Saxton, seeks to carve out a place for itself in the musical horror sub-genre, but stumbles along the way and misses its main objective of offering a horridfied musical journey. At its heart, Art of a Hit revolves around a 90s rock band, Excelsis, led by the melancholy and often frustrating Ryan, played by Ryan Donowho. The film follows the band as they reform for one last shot at stardom, led by eccentric producer Charlie DuPont, played by Charlie Saxton. The narrative oscillates between the group's internal conflicts and the sinister atmosphere of a French château, but the film struggles to balance its ambitions.

One of the greatest challenges facing Art of a Hit is its inability to maintain a consistent tone throughout. The film's opening scenes, which attempt to capture the height of the band's success, quickly devolve into horror clichés, leaving the viewer unsure as to what kind of film they're watching. The scare scenes are uninspired, and often feel added to the plot rather than an integral part of it. The film flirts with deeper psychological horror, notably through Ryan's interactions with the ghostly figure of his former bandmate Miles, played by Rob Raco. However, these moments of potential are dashed by a script that relies too heavily on genre clichés and disappointing dialogue.

Ryan's character is perhaps the most problematic aspect of the film. His internal contradictions - wanting success but rejecting the mainstream, leaning on Charlie but resisting his influence - are supposed to add complexity but instead make him frustratingly one-dimensional. Ryan Donowho's performance, combined with the script's shortcomings, gives the impression that the character is more a caricature than a fully-fledged human being. The rest of the group fare a little better, with Timmy, played by Tim Jo, and Mat, interpreted by James Earl, bringing a little life to the ensemble. The character of Charlie, played by Saxton, is the film's most endearing, bringing an eccentric energy that's often lacking when he's not on screen.

Visually, the film has some strong points, particularly in its use of the castle as a backdrop. Cinematographer Joe Simon takes full advantage of the location, creating an atmosphere both haunting and beautiful. However, the film's aesthetic achievements are often undermined by its narrative shortcomings. The script's reliance on familiar horrific elements - such as the haunted castle and the troubled artist - feels like a missed opportunity to explore more innovative territory. The horror elements, which should have formed the backbone of the film, are instead sporadic and lack the tension needed to hold the audience's attention.

The film's exploration of artistic legacy and the pressure of success has moments of resonance. The idea of a band trying to recapture its former glory in a world that has moved on is a compelling premise, and Art of a Hit addresses the emotional consequences of this quest. Themes of failure, regret and the cost of ambition run throughout, giving the film a weight that its horror elements often lack. However, these themes aren't enough to carry the film through its duller parts, particularly in the first act, where the pace drags and the dialogue feels forced.

Art of a Hit is a film with potential that it never quite achieves. Its attempts to fuse horror with musical drama result in a product that feels disjointed and uneven. The performances, particularly those of Charlie Saxton and James Earl, offer some redemption, but they're not enough to lift the film above its flaws. For fans of 90s music or those interested in the difficulties of artistic creation, some elements of the film may resonate. As a horror film, however, Art of a Hit falls short, offering more frustration than fear. Despite its ambitions, the film leaves its audience with the feeling that it could have been much more masterful and therefore successful.

Art of a hit
Directed by Gaelan Connell
Produced by Gaelan Connell, Charlie Saxton
Written by Gaelan Connell, Charlie Saxton
Starring Ryan Donowho, James Earl, Tim Jo, Allison Landi, Allie MacDonald, Rob Raco, Charlie Saxton, David Valdes
Cinematography : Joe Simon
Production companies : Dewey & Bug
Distributed by Giant Pictures (United States)
Release date : August 20, 2024 (United States)
Running time : 93 minutes

Viewed : August 18, 2024 (screener press)

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