Butler's Cinema Scene

Garrett Hedlund, Oscar Isaac

“MOJAVE” My rating: C

93 minutes | MPAA rating: R

Oscar Isaac is a pretty great actor, but not even he can find a way to make sense of “Mojave,” a mashup of behind-the-scenes Hollywood existentialism and stalker thriller.

The film was written and directed by William Monahan, who won an Oscar for his screenplay for Scorsese’s “The Departed.” Alas, “Mojave” has more in common with the Monahan-penned “The Gambler” from 2014.

There’s hardly a moment here that rings true…but then maybe that’s all part of Monahan’s view of the emptiness of life in Tinseltown’s fast lane. Or maybe not. It’s hard to care, really.

Garrett Hedlund is Thomas, a filmmaker of some renown. His success has bought him a spread in the Hollywood hills (which he is allowing to go to seed) and access to women and drugs. Has this made him happy?

Hah!

Garrett Hedlund

So Thomas leaves a beautiful naked woman sleeping in his bed to saddle up the old Jeep and head off into the desert to find himself. Instead he is found by Jack (Isaac), an enigmatic desert nomad who shows up by Thomas’ campfire like a vision from a Tarantino Western (beard and shaggy hair, cowboy hat, long Australian duster and a rifle).

Jack’s personality is, to put it mildly, off putting. He’s clearly smart and well read, dropping allusions to everyone from Jesus to Shakespeare and Shaw, but his cocky/confrontational attitude spells trouble.

Well, something very bad happens in the desert and Thomas returns to his life in Los Angeles. But he’s followed by the homicidal Jack, who cuts his hair and shaves and takes over the clothing, apartment and pet pooch of an unfortunate gay man who tries to pick him up. His goal is to torment Thomas, imperiling his enemy’s friends and loved ones and finally end the feud with a bullet.

Oscar Isaac

The thriller aspect of “Mojave” is acceptable but unremarkable. Mostly Monahan is interested in biting the hand that feeds him, painting a damning portrait of a jaded movie industry through the supporting performances of Mark Wahlberg and Walton Goggins, who play soulless, spoiled members of Thomas’ filmmaking circle.

The biggest problem with “Mojave” is that we’re asked to root for Thomas, who is every bit as corrupt and violent as the feral Jack. He’s not much of a hero.

Isaac is the center of attention here. He’s playing a completely fantastic and unbelievable character, yet he comes close to closing the deal. Not enough to save “Mojave,” but close enough to make its failure a bit more interesting.

| Robert W. Butler