Low Budget, High Ambition, With a Vision

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Paragon
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Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 23m
Director(s): Michael Duignan
Writer(s): Michael Duignan
Cast: Benedict Wall, Florence Noble, Jessica Grace Smith, Michelle Ang, Shadon Meredith, Jonny Brugh, Cameron Rhodes, Chloe White, Lucky Lee Morton
Where To Watch: in select theaters & on digital September 6, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: In Michael Duignan's first foray into feature filmmaking, we discover a treasure that blurs the lines between genres, mixing fantasy elements with humor and philosophical undertones. The plot takes off when Dutch, a once-promising tennis coach portrayed by Benedict Wall, experiences a life-altering hit-and-run accident. This tragedy disrupts his career trajectory and relationships, thrusting him onto a path of revenge while unlocking a hidden cache of supernatural abilities within him.

As Dutch grapples with his altered reality, he encounters Lyra, a cryptic psychic played by Florence Noble, who sees the potential for greatness in him. She introduces him to techniques such as astral projection and telelocation, expanding his worldview beyond the temporal bounds of everyday life. However, Lyra's agenda is tinted with her motives—she is desperately pursuing a powerful artifact, the PARAGON, which her malevolent brother Haxan (Jonny Brugh) is also determined to obtain. Haxan commands a legion of mind-bent followers, making the struggle for the artifact a pivotal conflict that could dramatically tip the scales of power. This all sounds wild, but it just works!

The production of the PARAGON, crafted on a shoestring budget of about $25,000 and filmed across 13 days in various Auckland, New Zealand locations, stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of indie cinema. The film's constrained budget is cleverly masked by resourceful visual effects and creative set designs, presenting a visual narrative that punches well above its fiscal weight.

Humor in the PARAGON oscillates between dry wit and overt surrealism, primarily anchored by Dutch's cynically comedic processing of his increasingly bizarre circumstances. Wall delivers a multifaceted performance, balancing skepticism with a burgeoning curiosity for the mystical, while Noble's portrayal of Lyra offers a mysterious, grounding presence that complements the protagonist's journey. Their dynamic interplay provides much of the film’s comedic and dramatic pulse. Perhaps the most underrated performance in the movie is that of Jessica Grace Smith’s role as Emily. I don’t want to explain how she fits into the story because it would ruin too much, but she is a perfect fit!

The narrative structure of PARAGON is notably non-linear, favoring a more exploratory approach to its story arcs, which intertwine the fates of its characters. This method enhances the film’s spontaneity, engaging the audience with unpredictability and depth. It will all make sense when you watch it, and the more you think about it, the more you enjoy it!

More profound than its comedic surface, the PARAGON delves into profound themes of identity and redemption, charting Dutch’s transformation from a revenge-driven cynic to a man awakened by his latent powers. This narrative of personal evolution is woven subtly throughout the film, encouraging viewers to reflect on the intricate dance between destiny and self-determination.

The PARAGON is a layered cinematic experience that melds humor, fantasy, and introspection. It showcases how creativity and vision can overcome budgetary constraints, offering a richly rewarding viewing experience for those seeking depth and originality in the indie film scene.

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[photo courtesy of DOPPELGÄNGER RELEASING, MUSIC BOX FILMS]

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