What happened to Santaros in the desert? How'd he get amnesia? That mystery, as it involves his political ties, Fluid Karma (I think), and a shadowy conspirator played by Kevin Smith in unrecognizable makeup, should be the throughline of the movie, if there was one. Because as it turns out, the answer is actually pretty interesting, especially in its implications for another character and how that relates to the whole End of the World thing. Everything actually does come together, more or less, in the final third act (except for a bizarre and pointless three-way dance between Johnson, Gellar, and Moore, which I suspect occurs simply to keep them on screen). The climax features some beautiful imagery, making you wish even more that the first two-thirds of the movie were a clearer setup so you could fully appreciate - and make better heads or tails of - the payoff.

In spite of my complaints, I find myself wanting to give Southland Tales the benefit of the doubt. I admire Kelly's intentions, and even though I know greatness and the pursuit of greatness are far from the same thing, I really like it when filmmakers try something radically different, because even the failures are interesting and honorable failures. Southland Tales isn't a failure. The movie gives us a lot to admire, and in fact, I really want to see it again. I'm interested enough in its many ideas to want to make sense out of it all. Just be warned that it makes Donnie Darko feel downright audience-friendly.

Movie Grade: B
(I'm splitting the difference between the half of me that wants to give it an A and the other half that wants to give it a C.)

Synopsis:

Southland Tales is an ensemble piece set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner (Seann William Scott), a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.

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