Audrey Beavers
Billy Wirth's dedication to this movie is proof of his many talents and I highly recommend it. His involvement in the screenplay, direction and starring role is what makes MacArthur Park a winner! As a result I will look forward to more of his productions.
mlvaussie
I viewed this film at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City. Mr. Wirth was present and introduced the film. He held a Q and A session after the showing. The film has some humorous lines in the beginning and then takes off into a realistic look at the darker side of life. The sound track adds to the intensity and reality of this film. Mr. Wirth knows when to zoom the camera in for heightened emotions regarding character inter-reactions. This film deals with homelessness and substance abuse in an inner city park in a no nonsense manner. It is based on the journal of Tyrone Atkins, a man who documented his own personal struggles. You may not like the subject but the acting and directing are wonderful, you feel like you are right there in MacArthur Park. I feel that the general public needs to know that this film is based on fact and at the end people need to know that Mr. Atkins has become a productive member of society.
dcutrell
I saw the movie at the Seattle International Film Festival. I thought it was great. I was worried that it would be depressing, but I came away from it with a feeling of hope. It was very exciting, true to life, lots of suspense and even a few laughs.
maxie-14
I saw this film in April 2001 after waiting over two years. Co-running a fanclub site for Billy Wirth, we have been waiting to see this film finally make it to the screen.As a take it or leave it Hip Hop - Rap fan, I was blown away by the soundtrack. I felt the music blended and pulled the movie together, it set the pace and took the viewer on a roller coaster ride.As a heavy duty movie viewer for over 30 years I thought the ensemble cast was extraordinary, with faces many of us will try and place from other films, television, etc.. I was truly amazed to see the performances that Billy got the cast to reveal. It is an intense film and subject matter but with a sense of family, for not giving up on family, or yourself. To see pass the weaknesses that we all share, that with love and faith in each other you can triumph.I am no expert by any sense of the word but the camera work and the way Billy broke the tension more than once to keep the movie viewer from going over the edge was great. I feel Billy Wirth has found his calling behind the camera and am looking forward to what else he has up his writing/directing sleeve.The performances of Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Carlton Wilborn, Keno Deary, Ellen Cleghorn were special to me. I look forward to more work from these gifted actors.I also feel the movie forces the viewer to look inside themselves, to experience another world that many of us don't know and refuse to see. The addict, the homeless, they could all be us. That they do have faces, names, families and souls.