CLU GULAGER IN VIC BY SAGE STALLONE

year: 2006 cast: Clu Gulager, Peter Mark Richman, Tom Gulager, John Phillip Law, Carol Lynley rating: ***1/2

The late Sage Stallone was more than a famous actor’s son. He restored neglected cult films and thankfully left us with a movie of his own... A short film starring Clu Galager as Vic Reeves, an out of work, out of luck veteran actor living in Los Angeles.

His dreary routine changes with a late night call from an up-in-coming director Tony, who has a perfect part for his favorite nostalgic actor. The only catch: Vic has to read for the role – not something he’s used to.

In his hey-day, Vic called the shots. We catch glimpses of the younger handsome Reeves (real images of Clu) in creative fade-ins, and eventually a photograph he carries around for the impending audition.

Dying his shocking white hair black to regain his youth, the last half is Vic’s desperate attempt to land the role... leading to an emotional finale providing Clu Gulager, one of our most dependable character-actors with an eclectic career spanning decades, a remarkable performance.

Sage Stallone’s direction flows with an intense, jarring rhythm while the cinematography by Clu’s real life son John (director of the FEAST films and PIRANHA 3DD) provides an edgy, first-person vibe of a character whose not only hit rock bottom, but exists there.

So is this film a little too dark and dreary (and heavy) for its own sake? At times, sure. But the palpable energy between a young director and a veteran actor shines during even the darkest moments. 

TRIVIA FOR THE SHORT FILM VIC BY SAGE STALLONE

Clu's son Tom plays the director Tony LaSalle. Carol Lynley is one of the producers during Vic's audition with other veteran actors including Peter Mark Richman and Richard Herd...

DIRECTOR CAMEO: Sage appears in an opening hospital scene (a film within the film) along with actor Gregory Sierra. 

FAMILY CAMEOS: Sage's mother Sasha Czack (Sylvester Stallone's ex wife) reads lines with Vic while Clu Gulager's late wife Miriam Byrd-Nethery plays a store employee.

Faded and torn photo of a young Vic (Clu)

Clu Gulager with director Sage Stallone