WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The party is rockin’, everyone’s having a grand time, it seems as if there’s nothing that can interrupt the fun and frivolity. Then, THAT guy shows up. Yes, he’s the one who decides it’s his mission in life to appear without any previous summons by the hosts, much less to further proceed to find every possible avenue to wreck fellow partygoer’s evenings. So, what exactly ARE you going to DO about it? It’s this precise scenario that begins to plague the mind of party arranger Molly (Stacey McGunnigle) who’s initially found herself the unwanted center of attention of a secretly disliked friend, Karl (Mike Lobel). Unapologetically drunk, highly inappropriate and crass in his commentary and overall language, it’s far more than Molly desires to withstand.
Karl manages to move on, prompting Molly to track down two friends named Alyson (Claire Stollery) and Paulo (Scott Cavalheiro), in the midst of having their own rather awkward encounter, in order to divine exactly who advised Karl about the soiree. Evan as this occurs, two more friends, Charlotte (Sarah Power) and Aubrey (Peter Mooney) encroach on the conversation, only to express their dislike of Karl as well. Topped off by Molly’s better half Owen (Jamie Spilchuk), it all becomes blatantly clear–Karl has to go. Now, how this would be initiated is debated until one person suggests an extreme solution. As they all maneuver to hatch their scheme, events take an unexpected turn that soon puts the plan, and everyone’s attitude, in check–but to what ultimate end?
Next, my Mind:
Whether we would choose to admit it or not, the overall thematic exploration presented in this 13-minute indie short film project from writer/director/producer Joe Kicak and writer/producer Karen Moore is one we’ve all entertained at one point or the other–that single friend who just manages to rub us the wrong way at the wrong time and seems to disrupt any situation we’re involved with that they are likewise present for, especially when uninvited! In this case, however, the narrative takes on both a whimsically and darkly humorous tone in showcasing what action one group of friends who’ve reached the “I’ve had it up to HERE!!” pinnacle decide to enact to rectify this very issue, with results that are, needless to say, unanticipated. From a content standpoint, the filmmaker’s choice of obscene/crude, irreverent dialogue, mainly initiated through the drunken title character, was a little too prevalent for this reviewer’s personal preferences but DOES make sense in truly emphasizing what a total tool and annoyance to the “nth” degree Karl is. Let’s face it, despite this, it IS ridiculously funny just HOW painfully overbearing and unseemly he is, which then serves to make the other character’s reactions to him, along with the subsequent decision they arrive at to resolve their mutual conundrum, all the more hilarious, even if morbidly so. Additionally, what then gives the film its abrupt twist brings whole new moments of seriousness and unforeseen emotional depth not very common in this style of comedic delivery, if in any straight-up comedies at all. Watching all the means by which these poor, Karl-weary souls try to complete their scheme, capped off with a finale that will throw you for a total, again darkly zany, loop, is a riot, more than compensating for any reservations content-wise one might have, at least in my opinion. The film has a crisply shot visual look, following the antics and keeping the viewer engaged effectively and with ease.
Lobel is pure, priceless genius in his role as the titular Karl, a complete oaf of a man who, more so when utterly inebriated, is the living example and definition of absolute idiot, dimwit, knucklehead, dope, et al to put it nicely. Entering the fray that is Molly’s party as a totally unsolicited and unwanted “guest”, he wastes no time ensuring to speak to everyone he does in the most indecent, risqué manner possible, getting total pleasure from it, and ignorant of the trouble he causing, drinking all the beer while he’s at it. Once he officially becomes the target of six people’s ire and plot against him, watching how he so unwittingly falls into their scheme but doesn’t experience their desired outcome is a stitch, leading to the sudden change in demeanor and overall situation no one saw coming. Throughout, Lobel’s body language, facial expressions, and total performance is hysterical. McGunnigle provides a wonderfully charming portrayal of her character Molly, a straight-laced young woman only wanting to host a party for friends that goes without a hitch while being easygoing and fun for all involved. Instead, she immediately has to be on the defensive against the irreverent onslaught that is Karl, with only one plan to execute–get away! Once she does, seeing her desperately “gather her forces” to stop the menace once and for all is quite witty, and McGunnigle’s comedic delivery is spot on. Stollery’s Alyson is a fun study in the prototypical party gal who’s seems tired of being hit on, yet enjoys it at the same time, and whose lonely streak has Molly worried about poor choices in a man’s affections being attained through Karl. Her attitude towards him really comes out during the “team’s” huddle to decide his fate, and Stollery plays it amusingly well. Cavalheiro is quite entertaining as the rather droll Paulo, a quiet, subdued, and socially awkward fellow who is easily bossed around due to this timid state, but has the final, mirthful sentiments to share at the film’s conclusion.
Power and Mooney shine nicely as the kind of “it” couple Charlotte and Aubrey, who look like high class/rich living individuals, but are really regular as they come, especially given Aubrey’s “duck watching” job. Only wanting to get home and put Karl in their rearview mirrors, the pair succumb to the plan at hand. They, along with Paulo, also get to be on the receiving end of some not-so-great revelations Karl outs to the group. Finally, there is Spilchuk as Molly’s partner Owen, who like her, is incredibly fed up with Karl. He and Molly’s secrets dumped on everyone by Karl is highly embarrassing and highly funny, and Owen’s reactions to it all is wonderfully presented by Spilchuk, as are his sequences following as the group carries out their plans. In total, “Must Kill Karl” is a slickly done modern comedy filled with the overt insanity we expect, affecting drama we don’t, and a bitingly intense finale that puts a touch of gallows humor on events. Perhaps those friends like Karl aren’t as bad as we thought after all–then again.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
