MacArthur Park (2001) User Reviews

Great first feature from Billy Wirth

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 9 April 2008]

Actor Billy Worth (The Lost Boys) tries his hand at writing and directing and put our a film that gives a great slice of life in a park in Los Angeles.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd (Girl 6, Bulworth) leads a great ensemble cast that takes us into a world where crack is king, and life is moment to moment. Some get out on their own, while others are helped out by a blade or a bullet.

Byrd gets help by a great cast that includes Julie Delpy (Before Sunset), Jungle Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier), and Cynda Williams (One False Move, Mo' Better Blues).

Really enjoyable.

Just another lame street flick

[=G= · 5/10 · 26 November 2004]

"MacArthur Park" attempts to build a story around a motley bunch of street people who frequent and/or live in the big downtown Los Angeles park. Once the pride of L.A., the park, named after WWII General Douglas MacArthur, is now a marginally maintained place where street people hang out under the watchful eye of the everpresent LAPD. The film attempts to capture and dramatize some of the goings on in the park but only manages a feeble story at best which focuses mostly on crack users, assorted druggies, and other low-lifes. As the film wears on and eventually wears out it becomes increasingly apparent there's nothing new to be found between the credits. Just another "street" flick with nothing special going for it, this budget conscious indie and apparent pet project of first-time director Wirth is one to pass on. (C)

Harsh realities of some real people.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 27 January 2024]

You have to dig deep into some people to find their humanity and twist a spoon around to pull out all the poison, both physical and metaphysical, to see what lies underneath. Some hearts are written on their faces, while others are harder to discover. For a group of down on their luck addicts, the homeless of this nearly downtown Los Angeles park know they may not see the next day, and others who come to the park for a score are far more privileged with something that they are scared to face soberly.

At the heart and soul of this drama is Thomas Jefferson Byrd as a thoughtful and caring homeless man whose cocaine addiction has lead him onto the streets even though he has a wife and grown son who seeks him out. Byrd shows the sadness in his eyes, and he's one of the few characters you pray will make it out alive. A young rapper with swag looks to Byrd as a mentor, and the sweetness in this late teen is covered by early disappointments that go deep into his soul.

Of course not all of the characters are going to be likeable to everybody as their value of life isn't really strong. It's obvious who the real friends are and who the hangers on are and who's worth keeping around for the long term. For these lives threatening to melt down in the dark, they're just one hit away from their last dance, and it's a somber, depressing view of a hopeless future. This wisely doesn't force sentiment on the viewer and always indicates a slender thread of hope. Director Billy Wirth gives a whole lot of perspective here, but outside of one handful of characters, there's way too much going on to really have made me care about everybody.

Review from the Urbanworld Film Festival

[mlvaussie · 12 August 2001]

I viewed this film at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City. Mr. Wirth was present and introduced the film. He held a Q and A session after the showing. The film has some humorous lines in the beginning and then takes off into a realistic look at the darker side of life. The sound track adds to the intensity and reality of this film. Mr. Wirth knows when to zoom the camera in for heightened emotions regarding character inter-reactions. This film deals with homelessness and substance abuse in an inner city park in a no nonsense manner. It is based on the journal of Tyrone Atkins, a man who documented his own personal struggles. You may not like the subject but the acting and directing are wonderful, you feel like you are right there in MacArthur Park. I feel that the general public needs to know that this film is based on fact and at the end people need to know that Mr. Atkins has become a productive member of society.

A most notable film that comes from the heart

[pa73486 · 10/10 · 27 October 2005]

I first watched the making of MacArthur Park, so felt familiar with the characters. Billy Wirth has an amazing outlook, you listen to his story and see a different side to the characters. It was amazing to watch how the whole project came together. The cast and crew appeared to have a close relationship, which made certain scenes more soulful. I really felt for the characters the story is so well told. You have to admire the dedicated team who pulled off this piece of art! It makes one wonder how many people are overlooked because they are simply never given the opportunity to shine. An in-depth look at life on the streets for the dwellers of MacArthur Park, hurtful to watch, riveting all the same.

Awesome movie

[doncorleon818 · 10/10 · 12 October 2006]

Although I have lived in Los Angeles for 7 years now, I never knew anything about MacArthur park. I knew that places like that existed and that there are dark places in society that most of us would consider hell. I knew that there were people that have lived in such places and were able to escape that world. I have a lot of respect for those that have made it out. I had heard about this movie but I never saw it. It was not until a co-worker of mine asked me if I had ever seen the movie. I told him I had not and he told me it was "his" movie. I was hesitant to believe him but he told me he wrote the screenplay. I looked it up and there it was; Tyrone Atkins. "Cody" as he goes by, gave me a copy of the movie and I was rather impressed with it. I totally recommend this movie. Very gritty movie. There is a whole different world out there that most people tend to ignore and we cannot forget how fortunate and blessed we are until you see people who truly have lost it all.

Great film, heal the nation Billy

[bethchazy · 10/10 · 10 May 2001]

I saw this film at the Taos Talking Pictures film fest April 2001. We viewed it as many as 3 times. Each time I discovered something new. The first time it was the characters and story that filled my heart and soul. Then music, other layers and side plots became more evident. At the last viewing, excellent technique and editing ability were evident. For a first time director this is one terrific piece of work. I look forward to Billy Wirth's next project.

my two cents

[dcutrell · 10/10 · 16 July 2001]

I saw the movie at the Seattle International Film Festival. I thought it was great. I was worried that it would be depressing, but I came away from it with a feeling of hope. It was very exciting, true to life, lots of suspense and even a few laughs.

Billy Wirth's talents cannot be matched

[audreybeavers · 9/10 · 20 June 2003]

Billy Wirth's dedication to this movie is proof of his many talents and I highly recommend it. His involvement in the screenplay, direction and starring role is what makes MacArthur Park a winner! As a result I will look forward to more of his productions.

A great movie and I got to meet Billy Wirth too!

[vague52 · 27 August 2001]

I was pulled into the story immediately. The camera work and pace are crisp, the editing precise. The story flows with strong characterizations that are not stereotypical. This is a population I work with and MP does not glorify the lifestyle but does give a perspective from the inside.

I saw this film at Taos Talking Picture Festival April 2001

[maxie-14 · 10/10 · 30 April 2001]

I saw this film in April 2001 after waiting over two years. Co-running a fanclub site for Billy Wirth, we have been waiting to see this film finally make it to the screen.

As a take it or leave it Hip Hop - Rap fan, I was blown away by the soundtrack. I felt the music blended and pulled the movie together, it set the pace and took the viewer on a roller coaster ride.

As a heavy duty movie viewer for over 30 years I thought the ensemble cast was extraordinary, with faces many of us will try and place from other films, television, etc.. I was truly amazed to see the performances that Billy got the cast to reveal. It is an intense film and subject matter but with a sense of family, for not giving up on family, or yourself. To see pass the weaknesses that we all share, that with love and faith in each other you can triumph.

I am no expert by any sense of the word but the camera work and the way Billy broke the tension more than once to keep the movie viewer from going over the edge was great. I feel Billy Wirth has found his calling behind the camera and am looking forward to what else he has up his writing/directing sleeve.

The performances of Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Carlton Wilborn, Keno Deary, Ellen Cleghorn were special to me. I look forward to more work from these gifted actors.

I also feel the movie forces the viewer to look inside themselves, to experience another world that many of us don't know and refuse to see. The addict, the homeless, they could all be us. That they do have faces, names, families and souls.

This film should be in theaters!

[yourmommi · 23 April 2002]

Whats wrong with Hollywood, when films like PootieTang make it to theaters and we cant see films with valid messages. It's a damn shame! Billy Wirth did a phenomenal job, as well as Tyrone Atkins, Tami Anderson, & Miguel Nunez to name a few. People is high positions need to make proper decisions- if not theaters, at least video distribution. The public needs to witness this film.

I saw this film at Sundance

[wyattlevi · 8/10 · 6 February 2001]

I saw this film at Sundance and was very impressed. I met Billy Wirth at Sundance 2 years ago and have stayed in moderate contact with him, all the time asking how progress was on this project. An associate of mine bought tickets, not knowing anything about the film, and brought me to see it. I was thrilled to see Billy there and his film was poetic, elegant and real. It was inspiring to see someone, a contemporary, actually accomplish such a dynamic film. Thomas Jefferson Byrd was incredible and obviously put his heart into the role, a role that had to be extraordinarily demanding. Balthazar Getty also impressed me with the intensity he was able to convey with his character. The film had a flow, continuity, and takes you on a roll of emotions, from apathy to empathy, from fear to triumph.

Humanity can be seen at its worst, but also at its best

[suzannesmith-86499 · 10/10 · 15 August 2023]

This film, which centers on the life of a homeless crack addict named Cody as he struggles to reconnect with his estranged son, is truly a gem. I loved the gritty scenery, both inside and outside of MacArthur Park, and the down-to-earth dialogue. But what I loved most of all about this movie was the filmmaker's brilliant presentation of Cody as a deep and complex character and not just a shadow of a man in the throes of addiction. I saw Cody as a friend and mentor, a savvy street hustler, a protector, a loving husband and father who lost his way, and a man who had the grace to hold on to the hope of a better life despite his dire circumstances. In short, I saw Cody, and the rest of the residents of MacArthur Park, as real human beings. If I learned one thing from this film, it's that MacArthur Park, and places like it, are more than just geographical locations marked by a series of dots on the map. They are also communities where friendships are forged and tested under the harshest of conditions, and places where humanity can be seen at its worst, but also at its best. Great acting across the board, a great screenplay by Tyrone Atkins, Aaron Courseault, Sheri Sussman, and Billy Wirth, and flawless directing (also by Billy Wirth), make this movie a must see.