Not to burst Steven Soderbergh's "Bubble," but his spare crime drama will be remembered more for its release plan than its contents.
The film will open Friday in a small number of theaters, while also debuting on the high-definition cable channel HDNet. It hits DVD racks Tuesday.
This has caused the large theater chains to snub the film, because it disrupts the usual routine of having viewers pay to see movies first in the theater, then on DVD. Studios get another windfall from selling television rights to TV companies.
Less important than how viewers will watch "Bubble" is how worthy the movie is of seeking out in the first place. Soderbergh emulates the neorealist style perfected most recently by David Gordon Green, who used nonactors and improvised dialogue for "George Washington" and "All the Real Girls."
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"Bubble," for much of its running time, appears to be a low-key slice-of-lifer about mumbling, unambitious blue-collar workers in a small-town Ohio doll factory. The work is monotonous yet comfortable, and the employees whittle away the hours with small talk. Soderbergh allows his characters to stutter and drift into non sequiturs. The speech, combined with his often still camera, aids the sense of immediacy.
Nothing much happens in the factory, but the scenes have a vicarious appeal. Middle-aged lifers intermingle with young short-timers who look upon their elders with contempt and can't imagine sticking in such miserable careers for so long.
The routine is shaken up with the arrival of Rose (Misty Dawn Wilkins), a pretty, 23-year-old single mother who sizes up her co-workers and knows exactly what she'd like to get out of them. In Kyle (Dustin James Ashley), who is about her age, she sees a man worthy of her romantic attention — possibly someone who can help feed and take care of her kid. In Martha (Debbie Doebereiner), an overweight, eager-to-please older employee who spends lunch and break time with Kyle, she sees someone to use and exploit.
As Rose pursues Kyle, asking him out for cigarette breaks, while making it subtly clear that Martha isn't welcome, she drives a wedge between Martha and Kyle. The fear of exclusion only makes Martha more eager to befriend Rose, who is quickly providing rides and baby-sitting accommodations. Rose is decreasingly shy about asking for more favors.
All of this leads to a murder of one of the three main characters, leaving the others, as well as a combustible outside presence, as prime suspects.
The film drifts into ambiguity, teasing the viewer to collect enough evidence to choose the culprit. Some viewers may enjoy puzzling over the vague mystery, while others will see the ending as a cop-out.
"Bubble" is worth a look, especially for Soderbergh fans who have been yearning for him to get back to his low-budget roots. If the film doesn't sound compelling enough to shell out money for at the box office, at least you won't have to wait long for the DVD.
review
Bubble
***
Rated: R for some language
Cast: Debbie Doebereiner, Dustin James Ashley, Misty Dawn Wilkins, Omar Cowan
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Family call: There are a few spurts of bad language, but nothing teens don't hear every day.
Running time: 73 minutes
Opens Friday at: The Loft
