Watch The Canyons

The Canyons is a 2013 neo-noir film directed by Paul Schrader and written by Bret Easton Ellis. The movie stars Lindsay Lohan, James Deen, and Nolan Gerard Funk in lead roles. The film was widely publicized for its controversial themes and the involvement of Lohan, who was trying to make a comeback after her personal troubles. The story takes place in the Los Angeles area, specifically in the canyons of Malibu where wealthy people live in mansions with swimming pools and vast lawns. Christian (James Deen) is a young film producer who is trying to make a low budget horror film with the help of his ex-girlfriend, Tara (Lindsay Lohan). Tara, however, is not interested in the film and spends most of her time having sex with Ryan (Nolan Gerard Funk), an aspiring actor who is Christian's assistant.

Christian is rich and bored, and gets off on watching other people have sex. He invites people over to his mansion to have sex and films them without their knowledge. Ryan is aware of Christian's peccadilloes, but he doesn't seem to mind as long as he gets to have sex with Tara. The three characters are trapped in a love triangle, and their lives spiral out of control when Christian discovers that Tara is having an affair with Ryan.

The film is a satire of celebrity culture, the Hollywood movie business, and the L.A. lifestyle. The Canyons portrays a world in which everyone is manipulative and self-centered, and where sex is a commodity that can be traded for fame, money, and position. The characters' dialogues are short and rather mundane, but they hint at their inner turmoil and dissatisfaction with their lives. The film is deliberately slow-paced and atmospheric, and scenes are accompanied by an eerie soundtrack that enhances the noirish feel of the story.

The Canyons was shot on a small budget, and it shows in some of the technical aspects of the film. However, this doesn't detract from the overall impact of the movie, which is disturbing and thought-provoking. Lohan's performance is particularly impressive as she manages to convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation that seem to stem from her real-life struggles. Deen, who is a well-known porn actor, is convincing as the smug, entitled Christian, while Funk brings a sense of naivety and idealism to his role as Ryan.

The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their interactions are fraught with tension and ambiguity. The Canyons doesn't offer a clear-cut resolution to the conflicts that arise in the plot, but it raises important questions about the nature of desire, power, and morality. The film is a commentary on the ways in which the media shapes our perception of reality and how we are complicit in creating the culture of celebrity.

In conclusion, The Canyons is a challenging film that delves into the dark side of human nature. It's not for everyone, but for those who appreciate avant-garde cinema and social commentary, it's a must-see. The film showcases the talents of a cast and crew who dared to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in mainstream cinema, and it remains a testament to their creative vision.

The Canyons is a 2013 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8 and a MetaScore of 36.