D.J. Mendel Movies
A regular in the movies of quirky indie-filmmaker Hal Hartley, actor D.J. Mendel first appeared onscreen in the Hartley-helmed project The Book of Life. In 2003, Mendel wrote, directed, and appeared in his own movie, Make Pretend, and then in 2006, he collaborated with Hartley once again in Fay Grim, the long awaited sequel to Henry Fool. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide- 2007
A man who has failed in love and continually destroyed the lives of the people he loves most embarks on an emotional journey to discover just where he went wrong in director Salvatore Interlandi's deeply personal relationship drama. Lately, Charlie has been drifting further and further away from his family. While there doesn't seem to be any overt reason for the impenetrable wall Charlie has constructed around himself, the fact remains that this lonely soul has become but a ghost within his own world. One night, after discovering another man's car parked in his driveway, Charlie becomes convinced that his wife is having an affair and embarks on an embittered journey of drinking, fighting, and confusion. Later, Charlie becomes determined to discover the truth behind the stranger he has transformed into, seeks out his ex-girlfriend and entering into a disastrous confrontation with his best friend. As Charlie's grim journey sends him reeling through the city streets, he sets out in search of a stranger in hopes of making some kind of emotional connection. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- D.J. Mendel, Denise Greber, (more)
A single mother from Queens becomes unwittingly embroiled in international espionage in director Hal Hartley's sequel to the critically acclaimed Henry Fool. Fay Grim (Parker Posey) is determined to raise her 14-year-old son, Ned (Liam Aiken), so he won't be like his father, Henry (Thomas Jay Ryan), who disappeared seven years ago after accidentally murdering a vicious neighbor. As Fay's brother, Simon (James Urbaniak), serves time in a prison cell for aiding Henry in his daring escape, he gradually begins to suspect that the man who inspired him to take up writing in the first place is not the louse he appeared to be, but instead the keeper of some potentially explosive government secrets that, if made public, could prove quite dangerous. As Simon begins to explore the possibility that Henry's autobiography, "Confessions," contains coded references to a wide variety of international atrocities committed by governments around the world, the CIA contacts Fay to inform her that her husband was killed in a hotel fire in Sweden shortly after fleeing America, and that the French government is currently in possession of two notebooks containing drafts of "Confessions." Convinced that the notebooks contain information that could endanger the security of the United States, CIA agent Fulbright (Jeff Goldblum) convinces Fay to travel to Paris and retrieve Henry's property before the information falls into the wrong hands. Now trapped in the middle of a cross-continental con and thrust deep into the world of international espionage, Fay is about to find out that her ex-husband is not only still alive, but in more trouble than he could ever imagine. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Parker Posey, Jeff Goldblum, (more)
- 2004
Richard Foreman, an important figure in New York avant-garde theater, wrote the screenplay for this imaginative absurdist comedy. Agatha (Cynthia Hopkins) finds herself unable to separate dream life from her waking reality when her circumstances begin traveling in a number of unexpected directions. Frequently finding herself on a field near a golf course playing the accordion (sometimes while naked), Agatha is suddenly stricken with a strange disease that robs her of the use of her legs. An eccentric scientist, Dr. Wanton (Ryan Holsopple), comes to her aid and begins subjecting her to a variety of strange treatments with obvious sexual and psychological undertones. Meanwhile, Agatha is transported to nightspots on other planets, deals with a gang of aggressive hipsters, and encounters an over-enthusiastic golfer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2003
A trio of women who have resigned themselves to fantasy after losing their passion for life find reality tearing away at their fragile facades in director D.J. Mendel's incisive comedy drama. Stuck in a job with no room for advancement and resenting the loveless relationship she shares with her boyfriend, small town girl Baby decides that the only way to become a woman is to have a baby. Hoping to avoid the technicality of actually giving birth or caring for a living human being, Baby opts to care for a small plastic doll and makes believe that it is her child. It's not long before Baby's former best friend Becky grows increasingly jealous after constantly vying for her attention and, taking a cue from her imaginative friend, Becky makes up a lover to confide in. Also jealous is Baby's older sister Sissy, who decides to steal Baby's "child" in a bid to gain attention. As the three women sink ever deeper into their delusions, they soon discover that the only way out may be to finally confront their troubles and take a chance at improving their situations. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2002
In Richard Sylvarnes' debut feature as writer, director, cinematographer, and editor, a beautiful Japanese woman (Miho Nikaido) is found wandering the streets in a daze. She's brought to a hospital where a young doctor, Dr. John Bennett (D.J. Mendel), haunted by a past tragedy, discovers a mysterious connection to her. Bennett has been resisting the advances of Dr. Samantha (Lisa Walter), while grieving over the accidental death of his wife (also played by Nikaido). When the strange, mute woman shows up, Bennett consults a psychic (Thomas Jay Ryan) in an effort to determine whom the woman is. Is she a ghost of some sort? Why has she appeared to him now? As the specifics of his wife's death are explored through flashbacks, Bennett uncovers some disturbing answers as to the identity of the woman. The Cloud of Unknowing was shot on digital video on a very low budget. Hal Hartley produced the film for Sylvarnes, who worked as a still photographer on Hartley's Henry Fool, in which Ryan played the title character. Nikaido and Mendel have also appeared in Hartley's films. The Cloud of Unknowing was shown in competition at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Miho Nikaido, D.J. Mendel, (more)
Hal Hartley directed this French-produced comedy about the Second Coming of Christ (Martin Donovan), with Thomas Jay Ryan in the role of Satan. While a gambler (David Simonds) and a waitress (Miho Nikaido) talk with Satan in a hotel bar, Jesus arrives at JFK airport with Magdalena (PJ Harvey). Jesus has been sent down to end the world by breaking the Seven Seals on a computer disk in a bowling alley locker room. Made in digital video blown up to 35mm, this film is part of the French "Collection 2000 Seen By" television series of one-hour films about the Millennium (and the only one by an American director). Shown at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Donovan, PJ Harvey, (more)
