Staycation

The humor is not especially funny, but all of the satirical targets are recognizable and relatable. It seems to be operating on the kind of humor frequency that grows on you and gets funnier with repeated viewings, like Wet Hot American Summer. It all keeps in a high taste zone, which is pleasing as the material is already unpleasant enough as it is.

It is Emanuel’s directing choices that really make this something special. First off, there was the brilliant move to direct all the story material between the skits in the style of an anti-drug commercial. The broad reactions, complete with sitcom incidental music cues, help lighten the atmosphere from the onslaught of death. Also, anytime the movie skews horror, it glows in the dark. Emanuel is very good at horror, as Staycation has a sinister sense of timing and impact that stands out like volcanic eruptions. It is the mixture of these two disparate elements at the end of the movie that creates a climax that is kinda awesome—awesome enough to knock off the water pipe from the coffee table.

“It is Emanuel’s directing choices that really make this something special.”

Of course, who in their right mind would want to go back to what everyone agrees was the longest section of agony in modern history? Nobody, but then again, who really wants to be in their right mind all the time? That is where the mood-altering rituals of strong drinks and legal drugs come into play with exactly the right entertainment to enhance the release from civility.

There is also the classy casting move of having some actresses from the golden age of R-rated movies in the production, namely Kelli Maroney, Laurene Landon, and Eileen Dietz. Their credits speak for themselves, as they have graced some of the finest works done in the twilight of the 20th century. They may have smaller roles, but these women deserve to be onscreen for the rest of their lives for the work they have put in.

The world heals its wounds in unusual ways, so maybe the idea of smiling into the apocalypse isn’t so odd. So once the drugs kick in, slap on Staycation for an in-person gathering like no other. No matter how painful the beginning, everything really does work out in the end in the coolest way.