Writer/director Ryan Oksenberg dives headfirst into the murky waters of codependence and self-destruction with Foibles, a jet-black comedy that escalates from awkward reunion to full-blown carnage. Jordan (John Karna) is a young man struggling with depression and an overwhelming sense of failure. After a one-night stand leaves without saying goodbye, he pulls down the attic ladder, where a noose he had prepared was already hanging. As he puts it around his neck, the step stool accidentally kicks out from under him, and he has seconds to survive. At the last moment, he is saved by his ex-girlfriend, Gabrielle (Carina Conti). Although Jordan claims the suicide attempt was accidental, Gabrielle suspects otherwise.
Gabrielle isn’t exactly there for a social visit—she’s in trouble. Facing legal issues after a DUI arrest, Gabrielle needs $10,000 to cover her expenses and turns to Jordan for help. Jordan agrees to give her the money, but only under one strange condition: she must commit to drinking nonstop until she’s sick of alcohol for good. Gabrielle thinks he’s nuts, but goes along with the plan if it will make him happy.
As the night goes on, the pair engages in a manic-depressive back-and-forth, where they fight over Jordan’s controlling behavior and Gabrielle’s descent into addiction. Each attempt to manipulate the other grows more and more intense.
“…she must commit to drinking nonstop until she’s sick of alcohol for good…”
Foibles is one of those extreme, insane, and incredibly gross comedies. It starts off with two lead characters caught in a deeply co-dependent and toxic relationship. The longer Jordan and Gabrielle are around each other, the more toxic they become. It’s like a pendulum that swings wider and wider between them.
The comedy is one of escalation. The spiral downward gets darker and darker. At one point, Jordan brings in his online therapist (Debra Wilson) to validate that making Gabrielle drink to sobriety is a good thing. Then the police (Michael Yo) get involved for a wellness check, leading to the neighbor (Dean McDermott) having to get physically involved.
It’s here that the story gets gory—like really gory. It’s messy and sloppy until finally, there are grotesque images you’ll never forget. The highlight of this movie is the makeup and special effects. No expense is spared to make the physical downfall of Jordan and Gabrielle look and feel authentic—a little too authentic.
Yet, with all great films, there is a story of two people who may or may not love each other, but are definitely not good for one another. There are a few people in our lives who bring out the best in us, and then there’s everyone else who brings out the worst.
Foibles is messy, manic, and magnificently gross—and I love it. It’s like watching a toxic relationship crash in real-time, only with better practical effects. Ryan Oksenberg lands a pitch-black comedy that’s as hilarious as it is horrifying. It’s a co-dependent car crash you can’t look away from—and you won’t want to.
"…messy, manic, and magnificently gross—and I love it."
