Guest Artist (Timothy Busfield, 2019): USA

Reviewed by William Geare. Viewed at the 2019 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Based on Jeff Daniels’ play of the same name, Timothy Busfield’s Guest Artist follows the story of a celebrated playwright (Daniels) as he is forced to confront his own disenchantment with the world of American theater when put face to face with a young, idealistic fan and would-be playwright. Presented in a fashion that is suitably reminiscent of a play, Guest Artist touches on the troubles of the theatrical environment, while simultaneously illustrating exactly what makes it so special.

Busfield, an accomplished actor in his own right, smartly centers the film around its two lead performances. Daniels and newcomer Thomas Macias both bring a considerable amount of nuance and flavor to their characters. The film does not have much in terms of plot, but the emotional depth of the writing is clear from the very beginning. That alone is what keeps the film interesting. The majority of the action takes place in one location – an empty train station. Though this is hardly the most cinematic of places, Daniels’ writing keeps it afloat. However, This is not to say that Busfield’s contribution to the film is insignificant. Though quite subtle, the visual directorial decisions are both meticulous and very revealing of the characters’ inner workings.

The plot itself might benefit from a bit more swiftness to its step, but I don’t think that’s the story Busfield and Daniels are trying to tell. They are far more concerned with the contradictions of the human condition, and the existentialism that can arise in a conversation between two strangers.  The slow approach they take to these topics creates a far more detailed representation of the ideas at hand. Even if it causes the film to drag at times, Guest Artist is effective as a result of, not in spite of the time spent fleshing out the characters.