The surprisingly intriguing quirky documentary made in 2010 is exactly what its title states: a movie about a parking lot. A very scruffy triangular one in the centre of Charlottesville Virginia behind a motley line up of late night bars and restaurants and smack opposite the University Campus. Filmmaker Meghan Eckman focuses on interviewing a rather large cast of parking attendants and former parking attendants all of whom are so over qualified for the job. This motley crew of graduate students and budding musicians articulate their over intellectualized ideas on the power struggle between often obnoxious customers and themselves which makes hilarious viewing. In attempting to explain their disdain for the superior attitudes and sense of entitlement that seem to automatically come with drivers of the giant SUV’s that crowd the lot, sometimes their quick witted remarks have more than a tinge of inverted snobbery.
There are moments in the movie when it feels like real time and you are actually there in the Lot and nothing much happens, but that said, it is still a refreshingly original and bizarre wee film, thanks mainly to the wonderful odd crew of charismatic and eccentrics who run the place. And take note you simply cannot just apply for one of these much jobs, which are much sought after, as you have to know some on the inside track to make the grade.
If you have a taste for oddball outré films, then this off-the-wall gem is for you.
★★★★★★★
