After far too long a wait, Charles Burns has released a new book. Originally serialized in French as Dedales parts 1-3, Final Cut returns to Burns' familiar themes of alienation, desire, creativity and loneliness.
The main protagonist, Brian, has difficulty interacting with people, preferring to watch movies or draw in his sketchbook. He struggles with mental health issues exacerbated by his chaotic environment. He's been making 8mm science fiction horror films with his friend Jimmy since childhood, but is frustrated with his inability to transfer his vision from his sketchbook to the screen. Jimmy is content to turn out derivative nonsense to show at parties and shock their friends, while Brian wants to produce something bigger. The friends they corral into appearing in their films treat the experience as a sort of party game. They stumble through their performances and have no patience for multiple takes.
Laurie, a friend who agrees to be in their latest film project, alternates with Brian as narrator of the story, but she is neither as introspective nor as confused as him. She thinks he's sweet. but is seemingly unaware of his growing attraction to her. Matters come to a head during a camping and filming trip to an isolated lake. The plot is far less important than the characters and their interactions, moods and desires.
Brian's sketchbook is a character all its own, both driving and reflecting the narrative. The tentacled aliens and surreal landscapes contrast the more realistic style of the other artwork in the book, and enable Brian to explore his obsessions of the moment and ever-shifting perspective. Within the sketchbook, Brian can attain the happy ending that eludes him both in his film and in life.
Final Cut is a mature book from a mature creator. Available now from Pantheon books.
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