This film is f*****g funny. I can’t put it any other way. In a very Ben Stiller way, or no, rather, I’d go so far as to say in a very HBO’s Mr. Show kind of way, this film is so invigoratingly different from the usual gore and violence and sex usually found in independent films…In fact, this film has heart, tact, and a good sense of humor.
Instead of zombies, vampires, slashers, or drug addicts, this independent film is about beer. Beer is the staple drink of everyone in Barleyville. The whole town loves it. They drink themselves into oblivion at Al’s Bar- located in Al’s living room. Helped by his lovely (and funny) daughter Dorris (Carmen Jessee), Al runs the most successful establishment in town and everyone is happy. That is, until Mr. Pinot Grigiot (Griffin Marks himself) decides he’s like to run the most successful business in town. However, it doesn’t seem like anyone would willingly give up beer…. Not willingly, being the key. With his dastardly plan in place, and his new right hand man Willie Knuckles (Jesse Dunstan as a sort of adorable thug) he will rid the town of all beer, forcing the inhabitants of Barleyville to buy his wine, making him a rich man and in control of all the alcohol.
That is, that was his plan until Bob Drummond, bartender, tries to stop him with some hilariously discovered superpowers…. It turns out Beer is Good for you, after all!
Bob (Bill Booker) is the nice guy of the film who lusts after Dorris, who ends up saving the day and finding out his real self worth blah blah blah… But my favorite character in this film (and there a few that were constantly competing) is Trent (Matt McGuire). Trent is a 25-year-old unemployed busboy that has the best lines in the film and delivers them better than anyone. Mike McGuire steals all of his scenes with ease and can portray a good guy who is kind of bad seemingly without any trouble. In fact, he seems so at ease in this role that one has to wonder if he actually is playing a role. That makes it even funnier. Trent adds to the soundtrack of the film by performing his hit “Little Orphan Slutbag” with his band the Vomit Gods at a funeral. Genius.
The camera work and editing are all very backyard. By backyard I mean amateur and micro-cinema (the budget must have been nothing) but the execution is essentially successful and there are few special effects that betray the budget. What does betray the budget is the camera work and cinematography. Few angles and cut-aways, along with minimal lighting technique and audio are the standout flaws of this film. If you can forgive the low-budget technical difficulties, what you have left is a very engaging and entertaining film made by some very funny people who also happen to be pretty good actors.
Fans of The Simpson’s, redneck humor, and bold and original humor will enjoy this film for its originality and its style.
