WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
What is it that we get bent out of shape about? And, when we do, is it TRULY worth the frustration and anger we expressed, much less if any further actions we took turned the situation into an even larger mess than it ever should have been? While we might be justified in specific moments to react out of said emotions mentioned above, the potential consequences of any confrontations that occur could be dire–more so when it just happens to involve accidental (??) death! Botanist Brenda (Sarah Stiles) has made a–radical–error in judgement during a volatile circumstance involving her mother (Catherine Curtin). Panicking and desperate to rectify it all, she reaches out to her estranged brother Billy (Santino Fontana), a magician, for help. But, when Brenda reveals her plan in having him come there (beyond the obvious!), it turns into a–questionable–series of choices they will make, with the outcome never really in doubt–right?
Next, my Mind:
Dark comedy books an adventure into at least ONE of the most utterly absurd scenarios that a storyteller might be able to concoct, not only doing it with a smile, but with beautifully executed jocularity and some delightfully over-the-top “shock” moments on its way to delivering an indisputably hilarious romp sure to please audiences when it has its World Premiere in-person screening at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival June 9th followed but additional screenings June 14th, 17th and 18th, then streaming online via the Festival site June 19th-July 2nd. This diabolically witty, 15-minute slice of indie short film wonder is brought to life through writer/director/producer/editor Dave Solomon, producers Harris Doran and Karen Johnston, co-producers Sarah Stiles and Santino Fontana, plus associate producer David Meyer with a deft combination of writing prowess and basic objectives to elicit the most laughs in the craziest manners possible thanks to a blend of slapstick, wry, and dry comedic stylings which form a magnificent cocktail of fun.
Did I mention this was an exercise in sheer ridiculousness in the BEST potential ways?? Well, the narrative which sees two estranged siblings being quite unceremoniously brought back into each other’s circle of existence due to a HIGHLY awkward circumstance that’s followed by the rather–unorthodox–“solution” they attempt to put into motion to correct the whole situation simply oozes overt silliness and JUST a touch of horror-esque elements to not lose you if you’re not usually a fan of EITHER overall genre this film embodies. Instead, it IS the outright nuttiness of the entire concept being infused with a few moments of total exaggerated violence that so adeptly pays homage, in this critic’s opinion, to the same type of scenes found in films like “Monty Python’s Holy Grail” (you know, “it’s just a flesh wound!”) and even to a, granted, far lesser degree “Evil Dead 2” in that it isn’t MEANT to gross you out, it’s meant to CRACK YOU UP, and this is effectively carried off here in spades. Not creepy, but comical. Not gross, but guffaw-inducing.
What then stands out are the thematic ventures I felt are addressed within all the chaos, and it’s always what fascinates me about indie cinema in trying to delve beneath what’s on the surface, a challenge this critic loves to embark on. The narrative speaks to matters of situational perspective, taking responsibility, our tendencies to overreact to what we believe we’re fully in control of even when really we’re not, the sometimes intense volatility we can experience when caring for a parent, a decidedly different take on “survivor’s guilt”, facing our own inner faults and attitudes that need tempering, renewing and maintaining the bonds of family, and one could argue for humor’s sake needing to learn NOT to mess with the dark arts! These all get some exploration, in my opinion, and lead up to a finale that is more than worth it relative to the grander direction the film is taking by that point in the story. Nicely done, guys and gals, nicely done.
Another facet for me that sticks out was a deeply apropos music score that accompanies the insanity, as it carries that ongoing degree of playful, almost flat-out plucky, mischievous feel which adds its own brand of perfectly suited joviality to the atmosphere of the film. I was already a huge fan of Stiles prior to seeing this film, mainly from her wonderfully memorable turns as the adorably tough-as-nails, don’t-@^&%-with-me character Bonnie in Showtime’s epic drama “Billions”. Here, Stiles once again channels sassy, obsessive, quirky, and just plain hysterical via her role as Brenda, a professional botanist who’s found herself at the–root–of a major predicament she then shares with her brother who comes to her aid and also realizes they’re in a seriously messed up pickle. As events progress, Brenda’s recounting of the incident and the harebrained scheme she wants to pursue compounds the problem for them both to an extent that could have much more dire ramifications than either of them expect.
Stiles really pulls to mind another superb character actress, Kathryn Hahn, in that she so brilliantly exudes this magnitude of totally unhinged zaniness, a strange vulnerability, and then an undeniable charm that makes the character one to–root–for despite the circumstances and her apparently lack of–control–when it comes to her beloved plants. Just an awesome performance to watch. Not to be outdone, though, Fontana also brings a fantastically delivered aura of deadpan humor and misplaced, wry haughtiness through his role as Billy, Brenda’s estranged brother who somehow (and I personally say that LOOSELY) manages to pull himself away from his duties a professional magician to come and discover his sister has truly crapped the bed, now having to assist her in cleaning things up in a way that won’t put them BOTH in jail or on Death Row.
While his evident impatience and lack of genuine desire to be there is evident, on top of his own riotous insecurities about the profession he’s trying to maintain (DON’T mention David Blaine, darn it!), his ultimate idea to resolve the issue is equally silly relative to hers, but in going through with it, will it be enough to settle their minds and accept the reality of what’s transpired? Fontana’s facial expressions, priceless degree of almost eerie calm he infuses into the character, and comedic timing match up perfectly with Stiles, and it’s what makes his performance just as entertaining to watch as his co-star’s. Just admirable throughout, a credit to Fontana’s acting skills. Curtin makes every moment on screen one to remember through her role as the sibling’s mother who, needless to say, isn’t the easiest to live with after what Brenda’s recalling of the events unveils, yet could also be a hapless, innocent victim of her daughter’s control-freak mentality. Curtin is a total gem in the pivotal scene that the film’s premise is based on as well, playing the haggard, overbearing parent to a “T”.
Primary supporting roles arrive via the side-splitting Julie Halston as Mama Lemmons, the sibling’s “is THAT your final answer?!” choice to try and redeem a dastardly act, and Beethovan Oden as Carl, the affable but unaware apartment security officer at Brenda’s building who’s investigation into the noice complaint becomes a potential hiccup in the plans Brenda and Billy are attempting to hatch. So, in total, “Brenda And Billy (And The Pathos Plant)” is a must-see offering of raw comedy/horror silliness that provides winning performances all around, rollicking levels of intelligently conceived wackiness, and the complete ability as a filmgoer to do what sometimes we VERY MUCH need in this day and age of societal turmoil–sit back and LAUGH!!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Hey!!! I JUST watered that!!! Oops, sorry folks. Until next time, thank you for reading!
