David Gordon Green first arrived on the scene as the talented writer/director behind the likes of classic indie fare such as George Washington, All The Real Girls and Snow Angels. In the eyes of the critics, he was a rarity; his voice unique, his pictures both achingly personal and undeniably poetic. And then, sometime around 2007, David Gordon Green presumably smoked his first ever joint, and something happened: he randomly became a "comedy movie director." And so, in 2008, movie-goers were gifted with stoner buddy comedy Pineapple Express, which - although a strange fit for Green - proved fairly successful. But then Green got lazy; instead of moving onwards and upwards, he agreed to helm the super awful fantasy comedy Your Highness, which was almost absurd in its unfunniness and certified proof that Green had sold his soul to Hollywood as a helmer of low-fare schlock. That misfire was followed by - would you believe? - The Sitter, an atrocious comic venture if ever there was one, starring Jonah Hill on total and utter autopilot. Thankfully, The Sitter appeared to be the nail in the coffin for Green's unexpected comic career, and ever since the failure of that flick hit hard he's verged closer to his roots with the amusing and heartfelt drama Prince Avalanche and more recently, Joe, which starred Nicolas Cage in a resurgent role. Still, The Sitter? Can we ever make up for that?
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
