Review of The Adderall Diaries (2016) by L H — 20 Apr 2016

James Franco is the new generation's Nicolas Cage. Even if a movie isn't great, you can bet it will at least be interesting if Franco is attached. "The Adderall Diaries," based on the bestselling memoir by author Stephen Elliott, isn't just interesting - it's also really good.

I've never read any of Elliott's books so I don't know how the film will play to an audience of his readers and fans, but you obviously don't need to be familiar with the source material to enjoy this movie. I knew nothing of the man going into the theater but I loved it. The story revolves one man's struggle with his past (and current) demons, featuring everything from a bizarre love story to an obsession with a real-life murder trial. It goes without saying that James Franco is perfect for the role. He is one of the few young actors that can pull off a scraggly, damaged literary badass with daddy issues with an air of ultimate believability. Even in his sex scenes (some of which are approaching masochistic levels), Franco looks totally at ease and at home. Nothing feels false in his performance, and that's an impressive achievement.

The story of a drug addicted troubled writer is one I've seen many, many times, but what could've (or perhaps should've) been another mundane and laborious exploration of creative struggles was given an upgrade largely due to the convincing and talented supporting cast (Cynthia Nixon, Amber Heard, Christian Slater, Ed Harris and Jim Parrack) and the provocative visual style of director Pamela Romanowsky. Everything about the film's look and feel worked for me (the film's tone reminded me of one of my all-time favorite Franco vehicles, which ranked at #3 on my Top 10 Best list in 2013, "Spring Breakers").

Romanowsky has a clear, original artistic vision which materializes through unexpected camera angles, dreamy flashbacks, cool graphics that incorporate Elliott's written words, and limited use of a musical score. She excels in presenting the author's muddled memories about childhood loss, parental abuse, homelessness and drug addiction - memories that, over the course of the film, become even more twisted within his own fiction. This is some truly inspired and complex direction, and I can't wait to see what she does next.

"The Adderall Diaries" isn't for everybody but if you are a fan of independent film, enjoy contemporary visual styles or are simply a casual moviegoer who loves a challenge, check it out. A SCREEN ZEALOTS REVIEW.