Review: Errol Morris went on a 6 year documentary hiatus after his 1991 film A Brief History of Time but it is no surprise to anyone that the first movie back from this absence is yet another fine piece of filmmaking from the legendary director. Fast, Cheap and Out of Control is not his greatest work, but it blends elements of his first two documentaries to create an enjoyable yet deeply moving work no one should ignore. Just like any other Morris film, the subject matter transcends his subjects, and that holds especially true here. This is not just a documentary about four different men who love their quirky jobs. It is so much more. If you watch closely enough, you’ll notice layers of exploration into the human psyche on various levels and though none of these men share any commonalities or relationships, they all highlight (with the help of Morris’ fine editing) these discoveries in endearing ways. But if human nature isn’t your cup of tea, go ahead and put the story on mute and just watch the wonderful cinematography. Errol Morris is a great director not just because he can extract the human soul from any story, but also because he could do this without a single word being uttered. His shot selection, angles, lens choice, shading, lighting... all of it perfectly highlights his message and above all else it is just gorgeous to look at. All of these strengths carry over in Fast, Cheap and Out of Control. Morris though is a conundrum, though easily one of (if not the) greatest documentary filmmakers of all time, his works aren’t always seen by the mainstream public. It isn’t because he is too artsy, but rather his subject matter seems so bland and uninteresting (which is ironic because nothing he covers is boring). So, don’t watch this film because its about a wild animal trainer, a topiary gardener, a robot designer and an expert on the naked mole rat. No, watch it because it’s by a great director and in the end, you’ll be glad you did. Review by Matthew Abshire Informative: 4- depends on what you think you will gain from watching, but you will leave more enhanced as an individual Entertainment: 4- probably more entertaining then some of his other works, but sometimes a little too quirky for some Technical: 5- a master at his craft, Morris’ talents shine again Overall: 4- not the greatest Morris film, but certainly worth your time
 
Format: DVD Year: 1997 Running Time: 82 Min Distributor: Sony Pictures Classic, Fourth Floor Pictures Producer: Errol Morris Director: Errol Morris Date Reviewed: 4-5-2009 Story: Acclaimed filmmaker Errol Morris paints a fascinating portrait of four obsessed eccentrics in Fast, Cheap and Out of Control. Morris weaves interviews with a wild animal trainer, a topiary gardener, a robot designer and an expert on the naked mole rat together with old movies, cartoons and stock footage, creating a compelling, kaleidoscopic look at the very thin line that separates madness from genius (NetFlix).