That's Hot: Indie Director Todd Solondz Gets a New BFF

Ten years ago, Todd Solondz was the next big thing. There was Welcome to the Dollhouse and then Happiness, and people just thought, "Well, here He is. Finally." But the career didn't stay on course, and Solondz has not enjoyed even a modicum of success since. Storytelling was a caustic failure but Palindromes, which followed three years later, was both original and interesting. Still creepy in plenty of places, but effective. By that time, though, people had grown tired of the act. The Hollywood Reporter says that Solondz is now retracing his steps, offering up what he describes as a "part-sequel, part-variation" on, of, or to Happiness. And that's kind of cool, because it had a lot of compelling elements. Some really disgusting ones, too (I'll never see Dylan Baker the same way again). But if he's hoping to resuscitate his box office production, this may not be the way to do it. You see, Solondz has hired well-known box office poison Paris Hilton for the film.Hilton, whose films include House of Wax, The Hottie and the Nottie, and the recently released Repo: The Genetic Opera, has never had a film turn a profit. Worse, she's not a very good actress. Worst, a lot of people hate her. And yet, Hilton will join a cast that includes Allison Janney, Charlotte Rampling, and Paul Reubens, among others.The film will be a mix of comedy and drama, set against the backdrop of war. Of course, many of you wouldn't see it simply because Paris Hilton is in it, which is apparently all part of Solondz' famous Lose to Win strategy.

Comments

[Will]

Mr. Solondz is a case study for what all "Indy" directors must someday do: Sellout or burnout.

[Rancette]

I wouldn't see it, even tho Allison Janney and Charlotte Rampling are great.

[nnngh]

WHAT. Cool.

[bill]

solondz has never had box office appeal. even ben affleck couldn't affect his box office.