I found myself in a unfamiliar neighborhood in an unfamiliar video store when I stumbled upon Lost in La Mancha. I was in somewhat of a hurry to find my way home but felt the need to release endorphins with a quick impulse purchase. I saw the parring of Terry Gilliam and Johny Depp and wounder how I could have missed this one in the theaters. Glancing briefly at the cover I read "Excruciatingly Entertaining", "Spectacular!", "Two Thumbs Up!" and with these affirming strokes I coughed up the cash. No, I'm usually not this easy a sale and yes, I've hear the expression "Don't judge a book by it's cover." And no, I'm not looking for sympathy! I guess at this point you know what's coming........disappointment!

In my rush for glory, I had failed to read on the back cover that Lost in La Mancha is a documentary about Terry Gilliam's catastrophic attempt to make The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Now before I go any further let me say that I'm a huge Monty Python fan and enjoined Gilliam's cinematic efforts over the years. Little respect remains for the man after viewing Lost in La Mancha. Gilliam looks like an uncompromising spoiled brat who has no problem throwing temper tantrums. Failing to find Hollywood funding, Gilliam sought backers in Europe. This dissension would limit his budget and instead of finding innovative creative ways to solve problems all the man would do is bitch. Granted, the production faced some severe obstacles that would have reeked havoc on any director. Disasters such as trying to film as fighter jets scream directly above, to storms literally changing the landscape ruining any chance of continuity. This movie seemed cursed from the get go. I guess what really made Lost in La Mancha a disappointment is that I was expecting a sleeper and instead I got a documentary on how not to make a movie and a disappointing view of a man who's work I've admired only to find out that man is not a man, he's a bitch! Gilliam didn't even have the courage to tell his crew that the production was canceled. Weak!

Hamlin Grade: 2

Fletch is a killing word!