WATCH THE FILM (EPISODE) HERE
First, the Recap:
When you’re STILL trying to be “The Champ” instead of your average Jabroni, it stands to reason that you just might continue to run into a few obstacles along the way, as after all, this whole endeavor could only be in YOUR mind and will rather than that of all those surrounding as well. But, if you’re willing to persevere and push through the personal anguish and struggles to reach that lofty (but, come on, still decidedly self-centered) goal, CAN you find the actual fortitude to pull it off? It is the time of Omicron, and for the stalwart man known only as PN (Todd Montesi), he’s now encountering the recent backlash of seemingly former friends as well as the realization he’s out of work–and needs to find a job. But, when this manages to come about, what will happen when this newly gained employment reveals a much larger, more sinister plot at hand, even as those PN trusts start to abandon him during the state of affairs the country is in and in the hour he is most in need of them? Is there another hand in play?? Muahahahahaha!!! (Evil laugh!)
Next, my Mind:
Folks, it’s political, satirical, bitingly relevant, unapologetically off-color (when necessary), completely bizarre, utterly INSANE, ultimately, eccentrically, heck, OUTLANDISHLY nonsensical, and what continues to remind this critic of (and I quote MYSELF from the previous review I did of “PN & Friends) “a more wacked-out, avant-garde, absurdly (ok, that’s new! LOL) comedic, wryly intelligent version of an extended “Seinfeld” rerun”, this new 60-minute “feature film” episode of the series more than remains true to its roots, intent, and scathingly accurate diatribes about our nation’s contemporary condition, this time during the COVID-19 years. It goes without saying that writer/director/producer/cinematographer/editor and star Todd Montesi along with long-time producer Montikillavision certainly choose to display the same degrees of totally over-the-top madness as the previous “short film” I witnessed, and from this standpoint, I certainly got what I anticipated and then some! Yes, there are several general instances here where things stray a little too much into the crude/crass arena for my personal liking, but yet even with that, it IS funny in its own outrageously overblown way as depicted throughout the “film”.
The narrative this time, still carried off with a visual mixture of Zoom-call-based sequences and various “in-person” settings both inside and around the city they’re filming in (which again is the good ole Big Apple, NYC), follows PN as he’s reeling from COVID-19’s “stealing” of his job and having to find another one while dealing with some severe drama from many he always considered friends, what honestly blows my mind again here is that underneath all the ludicrousness of what we’re entreated to, there’s truthful addressing of legitimate issues, whether on personal/human basis or larger societal ponderings. Thematic twists and turns cover the whole ongoing paranoia, frustrations, and questioning engendered by COVID-19, the vaccinations, and masks to return to employment, “essential workers” (taken to a purposefully silly magnitude here, mind you. NOT to impugn legitimate ones!), the legalizing of marijuana and the onset of “corporate drugs”, technological challenges, generational gaps in understanding, identity theft, self-image and attitudes, and the ongoing “let’s blame the Devil” angle, again more played for, admittedly DARK, humor. It’s ALL here, peeps, and explored with that intentionally, albeit ZANY, awareness-raising scope.
How there really can be the entire concept of people just “going along” with the masses (aka: a “HERD” Film’s title reference, anyone?) when it comes to experiencing, assessing, and then taking action on issues that raise so many debates, overt polarization, a destabilized sense of who we are anymore, the sad amounts of unrest, and just the overall hesitancy about the directions this country is traveling, the “film”/episode by its finale puts that notion on the table via what is actually a very affecting viewpoint of people ending up feeling totally unliked, used up, beaten down, and ready to throw in the towel and give up rather than having any motivation to see things improve. Additionally, the ending here points to another factor, the presence of evil and the manipulative nature of it, that while once more played for comedic purposes still resonates with an all-too-eerie reality that’s hard to ignore. Hey, you know, I could be SO FAR OFF in ALL of this, and if so, well, I tried. I am simply attempting to reiterate this craziness DOES have a POINT to make. Will the format it’s delivered in be for everyone–just being transparent–not remotely. BUT–if you can stand the nuttiness–the truth is IN there. And (very) OUT there. Like this whole “film”.
Montesi stays tried and true to his portrayal of the lovable oaf and “champ-in-progress” PN, a man now reeling from not only barely managing to exist thanks to no longer having a job, but also apparently needing to attempt to mend fences with some of his primary friends whom he’s isolated–or has HE (sub-plot alert, sub-plot alert!) really instead of a potential imposter who’s ruing his reputation? Even as PN navigates his new job that’s anything but “stable”, he finds out more and more how “off” things are for him personally and in the world around him, driving him to a point where he might not be able to prevent being broken for good. Montesi has that wonderfully “matter-of-fact”, “everyman”, virtually deadpan comedic style that comes out so well through his performances as this character, and his adeptness at making this level of quirkiness WORK is fully entertaining and fun to take in, again, if you can choose to bear with the randomness and sheer bombast you’re hit with.
A myriad of primary supporting players makes their presences known here again, including Kenzie Klem as PN’s past (and HE is still HOPING at some point, current?) flame Kenzie, who’s more than a little miffed at him (see film), David the Voice Stein as DV (oh, wait, DON’T call him “DV”!!!!! See film) who has had a rather unfortunate turn of events occur in his actuality and hence demeanor towards PN, Joseph Lewis Dixon as Dixon, PN’s (former?) best friend who’s ALSO a slight bit agitated and baffled by PN lately (see film), Derrick Williams as PN’s now estranged Uncle Groper who just doesn’t like PN anymore either (see film), Keith Mackler as himself who REALLY isn’t happy about PN (see film…man, is ANYONE happy to see PN anymore??), along with Darryn Smith, Paul Hallasy, Rich James, Charlton Ruddock, Joe Pontillo, Frank Vignola, Chris Griggs, Saladu Saladu, UB Thomas, Malia Sias, Big Mike Logan, Kitty Reynolds, Parnia Nyx, Momoh Pujeh, Knobad, Stanford Reid, and Hannah Wargo. And yes, “The Devil”. Oy. LOL
So, in total, “PN & Friends: Herd Immunity” really does illustrate the beating heart of indie cinema, regardless of it’s more web series format and how off-the-wall and “cheap” some would wish to condemn it as. You are seeing a group of comedians gathered together, taking an idea, formulating it into SOMETHING, choosing to execute it in the hilariously audacious manner in which they do, be as farcical, illogical, asinine, and jocular to extremes as they wish, and then put it out there for the judgement of the world, as they’ve now been doing for a total of 24 episodes I believe. Bold, daring, unflinchingly fearless, and absolutely NOT always for everyone while making valid social statements and appealing to a niche audience that COULD grow beyond its borders if people MIGHT possibly give it a chance? If this isn’t the core passion and artistic diversity that is indie film, I am not sure what is. Take a watch, mainstream folks—if you dare.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
