WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
“SHUT THE @*#$ UP!!” Ok, this is the kind of bold, abrasive, mostly seen as highly offensive expression of anger and resentment we here uttered a bit too much in this world, mainly as more often than not, it isn’t remotely necessary or constructive. However, what if seen in the context of a specific form of job that thrives on forced yet intended obedience for the sake of certain individual tastes in–discipline–an expected behavior meant to bring about the desired–reactions? This is what a young, newly-in-training dominatrix named Oliver (Matt Campanella) is learning and diving into currently. But, on this day, when his next client arrives, the utterly jarring actuality that manifests upon learning their identity yields an encounter that’s unnerving, long overdue, and strangely affirming as an (awkward!!) step towards moving forward from the past–or only making things worse!
Next, my Mind:
Time to dust off the necessity to manage and ideally work through those points of dissension with one’s parental units and do so with a relentless degree of harsh verbal abuse and physically stringent–oh, wait a second, is that REALLY supposed to BE a direction to go when resolving said friction?? Well, maybe not, but it becomes at least a facet of events and decisions (PERHAPS involuntary…hmmm) encountered by the protagonist in this absolutely hilarious, wryly intelligent, fully entertaining, yet fully evocative in its core theme, five-minute romp from writer/director/producer Matt Campanella, director/producer Stephanie Chloé Hepner, and producer Hardy Awadjie that will have its World Premiere in-person debut at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival June 9th followed by additional screenings June 14th, 17th, and 18th the stream online via the Festival site June 19th-July 2nd. Suffice it to say, this is one of those efforts that single-handedly and with such BEAUTIFUL wit redefines the concept of “AWKWARD!!”.
Embracing and wearing its LGBTQIA+ foundations on its sleeve with an unapologetic but tasteful approach, the narrative that sees a young gay man whose journey to become a dominatrix gets a decidedly reality-shaking wake-up call with a client he’s being assessed through turns out to be an far-too-familiar face has very little time to gain momentum at only a little over four and a half actual minutes of runtime, but let me be the first to say it does so not only effectively, but hits you square in the face with a plethora of thematic tangents with wonderfully executed precision in both writing and directing in order to provide the viewer the most bang for their buck. Once the base premise has taken flight, the manner in which the film addresses the actuality and relevancy of its associated topics is excellently delivered, tackled with a level of jocularity combined with legitimately thought-provoking resonance that culminates in a final set of sequences plus a finale that is made that much more riotous BECAUSE of what’s come before.
Notions of orientation, grander life choices, the validity (or not) of one’s future, misguided judgement, the hurt of ridicule, career, and other common subjects of potential discord between parents and children all have their screen time here. But it’s also the potency of the ideas that span the arguments of “therapy could cure you” or “this is just another phase” when it comes to the first area in the aforementioned list that strikes you in its overall societal relatability and the ongoing battle that remains for the LGBTQIA+ community when it comes to discrimination and hatred thrown their way. Again, it all gets displayed here in a comedic format, but it doesn’t lessen the impact of reminding us just how fractured our culture still is when regardless of who it is we might be having issues with, there needs to be better, calmer voices utilized to work things out constructively rather than through malice and even violence. Admittedly, again in context of this particular film and as hinted at above, that latter idea gets a playfully cathartic workout at the end!
Campanella steps out from behind the scenes, discards the writer/director/producer hats, and dons the mantle of actor, doing so with an understated but deliciously purposeful facetious streak infused into the equally dramatic, well-grounded performance he gives us through his lead role as Oliver, a (guessing) twenty-something gay man finding his footing in a new choice of jobs, one that allows him to be strong, empowered, and able to release a little tension possibly on his hapless (VOLUNTARILY, mind you) clients. But, when his next client turns out to be a little more–known–to Oliver than he would ever expect, it soon becomes a severe lesson in not just straight up tension and conversational discomfort, but a test of what it means to truly work things out–while being under the scrutiny of your head mistress, of course! It’s a fantastic turn for Campanella who embodies the volatility of his character’s situation with deadpan wit to a “T” while also showcasing convincingly serious, quietly energetic chops as well.
The primary supporting role arrives through David Kelsey as William, Oliver’s newest victim, er, I mean client whose attachment to the circumstances at hand and to the person who’s supposed to make these things manifest creates one of the most hysterically unnerving confrontations he could experience. Will it be for the better or not assuredly remains to be determined, and Kelsey is all business in demeanor with the character, though has plenty of dry humor instances to plumb as well. It WORKS so well given the narrative’s intent. An additional supporting appearance is made by Milan Anderson as Oliver’s boss, who has the shortest screen time of the three actors who we see in the film, but let’s just say she very much makes the most of her moment with magnificently priceless hilarity in tow. There is one voice-only turn in the film which is provided by Maria Carrozza as Oliver’s somewhat overbearing mother.
So, in total, “Daddy Issues” resolves to comically beat you into submission by whipping up an offbeat, jolly good time without winding you up with overt agendas or socially polarizing statements. Rather, it all illustrates the need for us to seek to understand each other better, strive to put aside differences, and discuss things on a firmly established foundation, in this case via the bonds of family, so as not to be strapped down by the chains of dissent. After all, to keep trying to live the life we should while still holding onto resentments and unsettled divides–well–that would just keep us fit to be tied–up?
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
