WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Paying it forward. Passing things along from one generation to another. Sharing good fortune with others, allowing them to experience the joys of things that initially only you had the chance to find pleasure in, in order that their lives may now be enriched by said gift or gifts. Yes, these are all worthy notions–but not when it comes to what slacker and health teacher Max (Max Azulay) has been unfortunately “endowed” with. Upon a visit to his physician, Dr. Grossman (Dan Azulay), Max is advised he has a rare venereal disease that manifests via one symptom.
Taken aback at the news and knowing it comes during the first week of teaching health, the diagnosis has more than a negative effect on his entire state of mind and being. With no assistance coming from his friends Ray (Jeremy Fernandez), Simon (Eoin Cahill), and Carl (Mike DeGasperi) nor from the school’s head, Principal Cox (Timothy J. Cox), Max decides to wade into his teaching duties in a less than kid-friendly way, sparking all sorts of controversy, moreso when it gets revealed to everyone that he has the disease. Yeah, think it’s about time to quit teaching there, Max.
Next, my Mind:
Directed and co-written by Matt Porter, this is one particular short film effort that this reviewer is most certainly divided about. While the overall delivery is quite humorous, the cast does a fine job with their characters, and the film itself is shot smoothly, the general subject matter and associated content leaves me in conflict. As many know, more irreverent or crude comedy is not in the wheelhouse normally, and this film’s entire premise from start to finish is soaked in that tone and feel. One supposes this could act as a very raw cautionary tale about the dangers of casual sex, perhaps? Between the bouts of harsh language and other verbally graphic material, not really warming up to the narrative overall.
That said, Max Azulay definitely takes full advantage of putting the off-color humor to good use in his role as Max, a complete slacker whose derailed mind (thanks to his condition) harbors ideas about how to teach a roomful of young students about “health” that are far from orthodox and actually quite comedically disturbing, I will admit. Likewise, his insanely nutty group of dopes enacted by Fernandez, Cahill, and DeGasperi are equally entertaining despite their crass comments. Cox makes the most of his character, as he always does, to good effect, and the rest of the supporting cast fill in nicely as needed.
In summary, “Gunderson’s” wasn’t this reviewer’s favorite effort due to its general themes and substance, yet there was still some entertainment value to it to be found amidst the craziness. If anything, while it may have fallen into the crude comedic content rut so prevalent in this modern age, it’s still showcases the efforts of indie artists simply trying to make their mark in a seriously competitive arena that is filmmaking.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
