Dealer

The comedic anthology Dealer, directed by Lundon Boyd, Jeremy Cloe, Cody LeBoeuf, Ryan LeBoeuf, Mike Thompson, Adam Zielinski, Jerry Thompson, follows the plight of blackjack dealer Kelly (Lundon Boyd). He hates his job dealing cards, which he is barely average at. Kelly also always does his best to avoid stressful situations; he keeps his house clean, shows up to work on time, etc. However, when he arrives home one day and finds out a terrible truth about his roommate, Trevor (Chris Russell), he is forced to become a drug dealer. The stresses of life that Kelly has so wonderfully avoided throughout the course of his existence are now inescapable.

Simply put, the film is ridiculously strange. Kelly’s story is told in five separate sections, written by Lundon Boyd, Jeremy Cloe, Cody LeBoeuf, Ryan LeBoeuf, Mike Thompson, and Adam Zielinski. Each piece of this anthology finds the protagonist in a new and completely unique predicament. At first glance, the acting and overall tone appear to be odd and unappealing. But, the acting transitions rather quickly, and Boyd specifically is able to captivate viewers and entertain them from beginning to end. Kelly is unassuming, down to earth, and, in many ways, an everyman. Boyd’s relatable nature is what’ll keep viewers engaged throughout. The actor proves to be immensely talented and absolutely perfect for the role.

“Kelly…does his best to avoid stressful situations…is forced to become a drug dealer.”

I’d venture to guess (and who knows, I may be wrong) that no audience member has been in the same screwed-up predicament as Kelly, which, for all intents and purposes, should make identifying with him difficult, but that’s not the case. Dealer presents viewers with simple and often juvenile humor that allows them to connect with the characters on screen and the challenges that they, particularly Kelly, face throughout. The filmmakers (some of whom also act in the production) pour their hearts and souls into the strange tale. As Kelly’s slow but captivating development runs parallel to the laughable plot and utterly ludicrous supporting characters, the brilliance of what each writer and director has to offer comes to the forefront.

The cinematography and visuals are fantastic. It seems almost as if half the time, the things that occur make no plausible sense, and the visuals add to the confusion. That confusion, however, is part of the genius of the film. This roller coaster ride is full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and a series of oddities that manage to mirror the real world. As a result, these strange visuals are captured perfectly from beginning to end, guiding viewers through an expedition of inexplicable uniqueness and endless laughs.

Dealer is one of the strangest films I’ve seen in a long time. For the most part, the acting is subpar, but Boyd shines brightly throughout, helping bring to life this immersive, though ridiculous, plot. While the tone changes to a degree between each section, the writers do a wonderful job of keeping Kelly’s character development flowing nicely and effectively. So, while odd, this wonderfully helmed venture is a joyous ride from beginning to end.