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My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done
Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven
Coming to DVD on September 14th, 2010 from legendary filmmakers David Lynch and Werner Herzog along with Absurda, Industrial Entertainment and First Look Studios is a psychological thriller based on the true story and “My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done”.
This film tells the story of Brad (Michael Shannon), a young man who has brought a Greek tragedy to life by killing his mother, Mary (Grace Zabriskie) in a quiet Pacific Beach, California neighborhood.
The tale unravels as police arrive on the scene led by Det. Hank Havenhurst (Willem Dafoe) and Det. Vargas (Micheal Pena) piecing together what happened. It isn’t long before they realize that Brad has taken hostages in his house across the street from the murder scene.
Within minutes Ingrid (Chloe Sevigny), Brad’s girlfriend shows up at the barricade to tell the police what she knows. Ingrid begins with Michael’s trip to Peru and the loss of his friends claiming he hasn’t been the same since.
Play director Lee Meyers (Udo Kier), also tells the story of Brad’s change and fascination with a sword he received from his Uncle Ted (Brad Dourif) who lives on an ostrich farm. But Brad is falling faster and faster into a world where no one can reach him.
As each story unfolds – so does Brad until it is clear that nothing is – well, as it seems.
FINAL WORD: I will admit that I have a fondness for films that are totally out of the ordinary and folks, this one is it! It is a combination of insanity, humor, twists, and confusion, wrapped up in a neat bow of “wanna see that again?”
Shannon is clearly the winner in this film. From the moment he is seen on screen with his razzle-dazzle coffee mug to his referring to flamingos as “eagles in drag” he is quirky, scattered but in his madness he sees nothing strange. In moments of silence his face shows everything.
Dafoe and Pena are the two policemen who listen to the history while dealing with Brad’s requests and erratic behaviors. Sevigny as Ingrid has a quiet demeanor but a little unnerving that she sees Brad’s emotional state, yet, also embraced it as normal.
Zabriskie as Mary is unnerving! Her relationship with Brad was disturbing and the scenes with Shannon and Sevigny are spot on – without saying a word the viewer thinks, “ahhh, so that’s it” without really knowing what “it” is!
Dourif as Uncle Ted the ostrich farmer was plain out and out hysterical. His one-liners are filled with family history as to Brad’s problems.
The insane combination of Herzog, Shannon, DaFoe, Chloe and Dourif is just amazing! Is there a purpose to this film? Who cares! The minute the midget walked onto the screen I wanted to scream “Twin Peaks” because I got that same excited feeling!
Herzog’s last film “The Bad Lt.: Port of Call New Orleans” was just as strange but this kept my attention so much more. Instead of an iguana there was the midget, mixed with flamingos and oatmeal!
San Diegans will have no trouble picking out the many sites from the interior of the Convention Center that Shannon’s character refers to as “tunnel of time” to the skyline of America’s Finest City.
There are also scenes in Tijuana that are also recognizable from the large Mexican flag to the arch that leads to downtown Tijuana.
Other cast include: Loretta Divine as Miss Roberts, Irma P. Hall as Mrs. Roberts, James C. Burns as the SWAT Commander Brown, Candice Coke as Officer Slocum, Gabriel Pimentel as the midget, Braden Lynch as Gary, and Julic Morck as Phil
The story is actually that of Mark Yavorsky, a University of San Diego actor who, in 1979 killed his mother with a saber in the same way his character had in the play ‘Orestes’. Herbert Golder hired a detective to find Yavorsky who had spent time in a mental health facility and lived quietly in San Diego.
It was through these meetings that Golder was able to obtain all the letters, poems and information about Yavorsky. Later these three men would meet and after, Herzog told Golder, “I think we should do the film together”.
Yavorsky would fall out of site again and Golder looked for him once again, only to discover that Yavorsky had passed away in 2003.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is a quirky yet entrancing film to watch! This is definitely a love it or hate it film. There is no room for gray here at all.
It is my biggest desire to someday sit with Herzog and just, well, talk. No interview – just talk – and I’d probably find the key to the madness or end up a little mad myself. Actually I might not mind that so much if it is Herzog induced!
If you are a Herzog fan with a tad bit of Lynch then grab your copy of “My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done” on September 14th with Special Features including interviews with Werner Herzog and Herb Golder with behind-the-scenes footage.
A great treat on this DVD is the commentary track with Herzog, Golder and Eric Bassett. There is also a short film entitled “Plastic Bag” narrated by Herzog. The DVD is made available by First Look Studios and you can find more of their entertainment library at www.firstlookstudios.com.
In the end – the mystery isn’t who, it’s why! | 
