The Paper Bag Plan

For those wanting a real alternative to the standard Hollywood creamed corn, get in the line to check out The Paper Bag Plan, a truly charming drama written and directed by Anthony Lucero. Aging Oscar (Lance Kinsey) changes the diaper of his 25-year-old son Billy (Cole Massie) every morning before driving him to the recreation center for the program. While Billy spends his day playing Battleship with his buddy Ruby (Jillian Mercado), Oscar goes to work at the warehouse, catching a nip off his hip flask to get him through the day. Then it is back home to make food for Billy, bath him and carry him into the bed. Oscar’s liquor-couching routine is disrupted by some bad news from his doctor.

“… Oscar changes the diaper of his 25 year old son every morning before driving him to the rec center…”

Suddenly, Oscar is worried about how Billy will be able to get by when he isn’t there anymore to take care of everything. He seeks out several services available for challenged people but only finds huge waiting lists and insurmountable costs. That is when Oscar notices the help wanted sign in the window of the corner grocery store run by Tom (Ravi Kapoor). Oscar gets the idea that Billy could work as a grocery bagger and starts a homemade training program for his son. Billy is bewildered by this sudden change but gets on board when Oscar offers him anything he wants if he gets a job. Billy wants Oscar to quit drinking, but Oscar lets him know that ain’t happening. So Billy will settle for a baseball game, but only if he gets nachos. 

One of the filmmakers who inspired me to look deeper into film as an art was Frank Capra. Mostly known for an over-watched, half-assed Christmas movie, Capra put out so many more outstanding films about the little guy up against a corrupted world and prevailing for a change. While many dismissed his work decades ago as corny, I have found his brand of inspiration a unique cinematic beacon that still shines through the darkness.