ironhorse_iv
May the farce be with you! This short film is a very good spoof, of two blockbusters movies: 1998's Shakespeare in Love which won the Academy Award Best Picture, of that year and the original Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983), which won multiplies awards. Not only that, the movie even mentions, some of George Lucas's other works, such as the original Indiana Jones trilogy (1981-1989), 1973's American Graffiti, and even his odd film, 1971's THX 1138. The funniest references had to be, about George Lucas's odd choice of having number titles for student films: such as 1966's 1:42.08 & 1967's 6-18-67. I thought, it was a joke, until, I realize those, were really the names of some of his early works. I do remember, when this short film, came out. To correspond with the 20th anniversary of Star Wars, George Lucas released "Special Editions" of the better edited versions of the Star Wars trilogy to theater. It was a massive hit, so George Lucas decide that the time was right for a new set of films to come out: the Prequels (1999-2004) to capitalize on the new growing technology, and ever growing fan-base. A lot of people were stoke for anything, Star Wars relate. So when this short movie came out. It was got a lot of attention. Not only was it passed around Hollywood offices as a filmmaker's "calling card", but it was one of the first short film to become widely distributed on the Internet and became a media sensation for a short time. It is generally thought of, as one of, if not the first viral film property. The film was directed by Joe Nussbaum, it tells the story of a young George Lucas (Martin Hynes) a USC college student in 1967, suffering from writer's block as he tries to write a script about space agriculture. It wasn't until, he met his muse, Marion (Lisa Jakub) that he started to get ideas from the people around him. It's a very fun watch. Everywhere he goes, we get to see characters that either resemble, or will influence the creation of his future works. It has a lot of pretty clever comedy. I love how his professor has a weird speech syntax that George, at first, couldn't understand. The twist toward the end, was laugh out funny. While, the short movie is play off, as laughs. There are some truths in this film. I love how the Jedi Knights concept came from the drug culture of the time and the opening of new wave thinking. The whole Rebel Alliance idea came from the student protest of the 1960s of the Vietnam War. The whole evil Galactic Empire stigma, came from bureaucracy corporate greed, within the film industry. The movie even touch, George Lucas's love for car-racing. For an 8 minute film, you really get to know, and understand, the times, in which George Lucas grew up in. I just wish, it was longer, and had more references or characters cameos, such as Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg. After all, he did kinda met him, toward the end of 1967/beginning of 1968. One big mistake that the film, kinda got wrong, was the whole Howard the Duck gag. This urban legend is kinda false. In truth, Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik were the actual creators of the Howard the Duck comic, not Lucas. George Lucas only served as a producer for the movie adaption and had no involvement with the creation of the character. The movie was beautiful shot. You find a lot of George Lucas's Easter eggs style of filmmaking here. A good example is the Wilhelm Scream, when the fielder get his hand, slice. Another one is the overused of wipe transitions. The acting is pretty good. The guy that plays George Lucas, does look the part. It's so surreal. I have always love Lisa Jakub. I love her work in 1996's Independence Day & 1993's Mrs. Doubtfire. She's so cute. I'm really surprise that none of the main actors, were on, to bigger well-known films, after this. I really shock that, this movie never got a sequel, after the prequels. It would have been, nice to see, a short film of George Luca's later life in the style of 1941's Citizen Kane. The film is somewhat dated. Star Wars has since expand to ever more films, since Disney got the rights in 2013. It's weird, watching this movie, in today's world where George Lucas doesn't get so much praise. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of fans that still love George Lucas, but a lot of them, have really went overboard on the Lucas hating. Many of them, fans blame the perceived faults of the series on Lucas's refusal to accept creative input from others, his infamous cheesy writing, his over-marketing greed and his ever wanting altering of his previous works. While, they're somewhat right. I do believe that, they're letting their hatedom, destroy how much good George Lucas has done for film lovers. Call me, nostalgia, but I wish for a time, where the hatred for the man, wasn't that strong. After watching this film, you can't help seeing, how much the fanboys who made this movie, endure the man. In the end, I kinda wish that would return. George Lucas shouldn't be hated. Overall: He's deserve more respect, than what some fans, are treating him, with. I glad, that Lucas is a fan of this movie, having sent a congratulatory letter to the filmmakers, which they show in a hidden easter egg on the DVD. The movie is easy to find on the internet. If you're a fan of George Lucas, go see this movie. I recommended it. You wouldn't be, disappointed.
lcrews
I attended USC film school and had CNTV 241 (the entry-level film production class) with Joe Nussbaum, the director and co-writer of this short film. I used to borrow his tripods and lights all the time...Even though we were shooting on Super 8 at the time (now they shoot iMovies in CNTV 241), Joe was at the head of our class at crafting funny, memorable narratives in little short films. When George Lucas in Love became a surprise hit a few years ago, I wasn't surprised at all. For me, it was a continuation of the incredible filmmaking talent Nussbaum displayed at USC a few years back.I remember reading Nussbaum got a feature film deal shortly after this short was made, but it seems that never came to pass. Que sera sera, but still keep your eyes out for him, as his talent is too strong to lay dormant forever. Even if you never get the chance to see his Super 8 comedy masterpiece The Whiz, like I did a couple of times back in 1994, you can watch and enjoy this very sharp and funny short.
