Indie Film Review “We Want The Virus” Desperation is the game, COVID-19 is the (supposed) cure, with lessons in telling the truth and knowing yourself the real solutions
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Show me the money!! Because, you know, I really could use some. No, seriously. Let’s continue to be real with ourselves, we’ve ALL been in this place, and sadly perhaps still ARE! As adults, we have the need to pay the bills while ideally working in achieving our dreams. It seems this works better for some, not so well for a larger number of us. And, when the odds are suddenly stacked against us, finances actually BEING the needed solution, just how FAR are we willing to go to get those Benjamins?
Take, for example, two best friends Adam (Paul Santoli) and Greg (Cody Schultz). Struggling actors in Los Angeles, and now having recently tanked their current “outside the Biz” occupation, there is severe necessity of income to avoid just giving up. Greg hatches an idea, when both guys are blackout drunk mind you, upon stumbling onto a cash-raising app….falsify COVID-19-based sickness to gain funds. Their plan works, but comes with a slight hitch…proof of illness to claim the funds. I mean, what could go wrong from here??
Next, my Mind:
So, you just might be tempted to shake your head, roll your eyes, or breathe that frustrated sigh upon reading that, yet again, here’s another film somehow tied to utilizing COVID-19 as source material. While this insidious virus may be with us from now on since 2020, isn’t it time we try to move on from it as a film topic?? Folks, I say again, you might be TEMPTED to go this route in your mind. DON’T! For all the manners in which this critic has seen the virus addressed, there’s legitimate entertainment, wacky humor, and an equally witty concept conveyed here that effectively ebbs and flows with what I felt was the effort’s biggest win….originality. That’s to the worthy credit of writer/director/executive producer Paul Santoli, writer Daniel Gualajara, plus producers Sterling L. Pope, Joshua Libertine, Kevin Rios, and Ray Oddi in taking a subject matter oft employed and turning it into a one hundred percent, intentionally straightforward, comedic gem.
With well-conceived intentionality, perfect pacing, and almost “Friends”-style jocularity and shenanigans firmly in tow, the narrative finds two best buds in the City of Angeles facing a money crisis that drives them both to drink, and for them to hatch a caper that lands them in hot water instead of their loot-filled freedom, all while embarking on a hilarious odyssey to GET one of them sick to claim the desired treasure. Yes, it’s silliness. Yes, it’s sometimes a complete exercise in abject goofiness. Hence YES, that is what makes the film so much FUN!! I’ve said it before, aplenty no less, LIGHTEN UP, people. Just relax. Enjoy the ride. Smile. Laugh at the sheer insanity of it all. Because for this critic, that’s what great comedy should be. I don’t WANT to think, I don’t WANT complexity of story. Heck, I don’t in itself even need total character development IF it is a project meant to ease the day and tickle the funny bone. This film is, and accomplished, that.
Here’s the thing, the film DOES successfully offer at least a LITTLE of all that mentioned above in tandem with the guffaws it elicits. That is the wonder and magic of the independent film world. And there is always the present degree of relatability that accompanies the proceedings as well, a magnitude of the human condition that I also point out a lot, that is found here. There’s a life lessons vibe to be had, too, with thematic ventures that highlight experiencing wake-up calls to real life, re-assessing our priorities, believing that money is the answer to ALL our issues, what are we willing to sacrifice to attain it, coping with our disappointments, not wanting to totally toss in the towel when it comes to relationships, career, and the dreams we have, realizing the poor choices we’ve made and wishing to correct them, listening to others’ good counsel, bar singles nights (LOL), and finding our way via the truth all get time and due emphasis amidst the zaniness.
The finale has a small twist that I honestly appreciated and felt even elevated the film more, and even an additional act of (mostly) selfless kindness that adds yet another layer to everything with beautiful, resolute, funny, and affecting punch. I must now state that there was a total “Chandler and Joey” ambiance occurring when it comes to the film’s two main characters Adam and Greg, and I unequivocally had the best time watching Santoli and Schultz ham it up in a way that really does channel the 90’s sitcom yet brings it into a more contemporary setting that befits the narrative. This is not to initially diverge from what I usually do with lead actors and covering each individual performance, but here we truly have a “best pals” chemistry that shines forth with excellent comedic timing and delivery that combines to make the whole that much more amusing, exuding a whimsical energy that is infectious and laugh-inducing.
Adam is really the fool with a heart of gold and sincere aim to just BE something, to MAKE something of his life that, to date, has been anything but productive or successful. Even as he thinks the end of things has come and is ready to call it quits, circumstances change that will shape who Adam will become, and perhaps more so bring out WHO he REALLY is and wants to be. It’s a whimsical performance Santoli gives. Greg is ultimately the slightly more level-headed one of the pair, who wants to do his best to keep things positive and gets his wayward roommate a little more above water in his outlook on their lives, even as he himself is struggling to make it. When his idea to get them some quick cash goes not exactly as planned, Greg concocts the idea to gain the money that sends him and Adam on their insane and wholly hysterical trip that will also test their friendship’s limits. Likewise, Schultz is a total treat to watch and be entertained by here.
The primary supporting turns arrive first through Elisabeth Montanaro as Melanie, a new hire at the fund-raising company our boys have ended up entangled with and who is sent by her boss to keep an eye on them to confirm the validity of their illness and its associated monetary claim. Someone who doesn’t really have a devious bone or intent within her, Melanie’s influence on the events will take interesting and potentially amorous turns once she meets and gets to know Adam. Montanaro’s poise, beauty, and totally credible acting and grounded vibrancy allow her to bring apropos depth to a character that COULD have just been eye candy or even borderline superfluous. Instead, Melanie is absolutely relevant to the proceedings and makes the most of her screen time with evident and beguiling spark thanks to Montanaro’s efforts.
Secondly is Amy Lyndon (whom I had the pleasure of reviewing in the recent dramedy “Lady Parts“) who now funnels pure riotous vivacity and conspicuously fantastic, veteran acting chops into her role as Tina, the owner/CEO of the fund-raising company Adam and Greg are attempting to rip off. Knowing that there are a profuse number of people who do nothing but try to defraud the given means to get fast money, Tina is already suspicious of the boys from the start, choosing to send a newly hired minion to spy for her and report back to see if they are on the up and up or not. But, could it be that Tina herself has other motives in mind as well?? It’s a mystery yet to be revealed, and just like Montanaro, Lyndon also makes the best of her screen time to imbue Tina with an uproariously detestable nature that captures your attention with the utmost ease and keeps you there with a devilish glee that so suits this character.
Sam Naismith is Donnie, an exultantly drugged-out friend of Greg’s who both succeeds and fails to help out the situation the boys are in. Zoe Manzotti is Amanda, Greg’s longstanding girlfriend who may have just a few choice thoughts about his decisions when it comes to Adam vs. her. Katie Kay, Chantal Casutt, Gabriella Bustos, and Vero Lopez are Nadia, Lilly, Stacie, and Vero, four women who have the “benefit” of crossing the boy’s path at a local singles night. Deb Snyder is Ms. Diller, a neighbor of Adam and Greg who is most assuredly not all “there”! Additional appearances are made by Anastasia Rine, Ray Oddi, Allan Wasserman, Remy O’Brien, Shaun Fury, Mikey Jerome, Deonte Ware, Adlih Alvarado, Sean Carleton, Dom Trapani, and Carson Polish. To all of you, I extend authentic cheers for your performances and parts to play, as ensemble casts don’t always get the grander acknowledgement they deserve. Bravo to you! You are SEEN!
So, in total, “We Want The Virus” is a madcap exhibition of what happens when the gravity of our current actuality runs amok, the way out is founded on a lie, the results are less than ideal, but honesty, inner release, and legitimacy of heart and soul ultimately wins out, all delivered with acutely distinct humor that allows us to laugh not only with these characters, but at ourselves and the ways we believe we can abscond from a mess when all that’s really required is one, simply, immutable factor……fidelity.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
