Creative people are known for being quirky, weird, and passionate individuals. In Alexi Pappas and Jeremy Teicher’s Not An Artist, an ensemble of unique, self-aggrandizing creatives attend a retreat that puts their alleged passion for the art to the ultimate test: create a piece of work that represents the zenith of their creative talent by the end of the residency or agree never to pick up the pen, paintbrush, or camera again.
Alice (Alexi Pappas) is a writer who earns a living reading erotic fiction online while dressed as a Middle Earth reject. When she’s accepted into the prestigious residency run by the mysterious but wise man known only as The Abbott (RZA), she aims to complete her middle-grade fantasy audiobook. The residency will give Alice and her fellow attendees thirty days to focus on their art without interruption. If The Abbott determines that it has been created using the best of their abilities, they will win a $100,000 grant to continue the pursuit of their passion. If not, they will sign a contract agreeing never to create again. As all the creatives struggle with this task, Alice’s situation is further complicated by the arrival of her co-dependent and overprotective father, Charles (Matt Walsh).
Not An Artist is a hilariously entertaining exploration of what it means to call oneself an artist and how unresolved issues within one’s life can help or hinder art creation. Those pursuing a career as a creative must decipher if they genuinely want to create things that support and inspire others or if they’re motivated by things like money or revenge.

The film wisely centers on Pappas and Walsh’s father-daughter dynamic, which becomes its emotional core. Alice has a loving relationship with her father but realizes that some distance is needed to evolve into who she is meant to be. Her father’s reluctance to talk about her deceased mother has also put a strain on their relationship. Charles, who thinks their relationship is perfect, is left drifting aimlessly after his daughter enforces her new boundaries during the film’s opening minutes. He’s well-meaning but overly involved and unwilling to let Alice spread her wings. After a profound misunderstanding, while camping and trying to win back his ex-girlfriend, Charles joins Alice at the residency. He finds enlightenment for himself thanks to the wisdom of Abbott. Pappas and Walsh easily portray a quirky father and daughter trying to find themselves amidst many changes. While the duo is hilarious together, the dramatic scenes between the two carry a lot of emotion and depth. Both actors display impressive talent as they flit between the film’s comedic and dramatic scenes.
The film’s larger ensemble is just as talented and funny. Haley Joel Osment portrays the hilariously off-beat painter Wesley. Rosalind Chao is Kimmy, a lawyer-turned-playwright who questions her decision to build a career instead of starting a family. Kimmy’s nemesis, Christopher (Clark Moore), is a poet and Twitter sensation who fears he won’t be able to fulfill the requirements of his book contract. Dante is a soft-spoken and kind filmmaker who fears returning to his humble beginnings if he fails to complete his stop-motion project. Finally, Indigo (Cleopatra Coleman) is a sculptor riddled with insecurities. The film does a great job of giving each of his artistic misfits their moments of clarity and development. Viewers will be pleased with how each of their storylines is resolved and how they decide to move forward in life with or without their art.

RZA’s performance as the wise and wealthy benefactor, The Abbott, is enjoyable. It’s not that the role is super complicated to play, but it’s how RZA clearly gives his all and takes it seriously. He commits to the material, and it shows. The Abbott as a character works as well. He’s perceptive and has a genuine desire to see every one of the attendees live up to their potential to become their best and most evolved selves. He’s also offering them tons of money to reach that potential, which doesn’t hurt either.
I’d be remiss if I ended this review without highlighting the small but comedic role actor and musician Robert Schwartzman plays as The Abbott creepy but caring servant. He’s always watching and always shows up in the nick of time with whatever the character needs. Again, it’s a small role but a welcome addition to the film. The song “Blueside,” sung by Schwartzman’s band Rooney, plays as the credits roll and helps wrap up the story nicely.
Not An Artist is an enjoyable comedy-drama about familial ties, what it means to be an artist, and what it takes to live up to your fullest potential.
Not An Artist is currently available on Digital and VOD courtesy of Utopia.

Not An Artist is an enjoyable comedy-drama about familial ties, what it means to be an artist, and what it takes to live up to your fullest potential.
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GVN Rating 8
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Writer. Video Essayist. Film/TV Critic. Pop Culture Enthusiast.
When he isn’t writing for Geek Vibes Nation or The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found typing away at one of the novels or screenplays he’s been working on forever.