Cinequest

The Doorman

By DENNIS HARVEY

A Gigantic Pictures presentation of an AD Films and South American Dream Films production. Produced by Melvut Akkaya, Brian Devine, Jonathan Gray, Wayne Price, Lucas Akoskin. Directed by Wayne Price.
 
With: Lucas Akoskin, Fabrizio Brienza, Brian Devine, Thom Filicia, Matthew Mabe, Wayne Price, Jonathan Gray.
 

The Doorman's" makers couldn't have seen "Borat" before conceiving this mock doc about a vainglorious velvet-rope guardian in hyper-image-conscious NYC. But the shadow of "Borat" hangs heavy over "Doorman," proving it's not enough to have an English-language-mangling actor bumble improvisationally among real people: You need structure, and situations crafted enough to escalate mild amusement toward hilarity. A-list scenesters (or those fascinated by them) may chuckle over the pic's fashion/nightclub insiderdom. But thinly conceived, underdeveloped "The Doorman" is unlikely to lure proles into queuing up.

A handsome specimen of indeterminate age, nationality and sexual preference, Trevor W (Lucas Akoskin) is prince among gatekeepers to Manhattan's most exclusive events and clubs. He's courted by wannabes, fashion mags and supermodels -- as well as a "documentarian" who figures him a perfect lurid human-interest story. Trevor's bogus fame unravels as it emerges he's been "blacklisted" after accidentally barring a celeb's access to a party. In-joke participation of minor celebs won't mean much to general auds, and stabs at broader humor are mostly silly (i.e. Trevor slapstick-floundering at athletic endeavors when he's clearly in excellent condition). Overall impact is amiable but aimless. Tech contribs are decent.

Camera (color, HD video), Patryk Rebisz; editor, Price; music, Brazilian Girls. Reviewed at Cinequest Film Festival, San Jose, March 1, 2007. Running time: 79 MIN.