Silent Resident

The extent to which Silent Resident just flat-out doesn’t make sense is nothing short of astonishing, and one can’t help but wonder what was going through the minds of everyone who agreed to be a part of the production. The impenetrable storyline, which has something to do with the goings on within a futuristic apartment complex, is ultimately less coherent than even the most avant-garde Godard film, as writer/director Christian Frosch has infused the proceedings with a random and utterly meaningless vibe that ensures the whole thing generally feels like a parody of an obtuse foreign flick (there’s an obnoxious jazz score and everything). It’s clear almost immediately that Frosch isn’t even remotely interested in offering up a coherent experience for the viewer, and it’s consequently not surprising to note that the movie is rife with random bits of nonsense (eg at one point, the central character, apropos of nothing, is making out with an old lady). Star Brigitte Hobmeier is literally the one bright spot within Silent Resident, as the actress delivers a strong performance that’s sadly rendered moot by the nonsensical nature of everything around her. And while Frosch’s refusal to offer up even a kernel of exposition is impressive in its audacity, Silent Resident is consequently devoid of anything even resembling entertainment value.

no stars out of ****