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| Images Courtesy of Persimmon |
Jon Salmon's
solo debut directorial feature, The Mother, The Menacer, and Me is a
whimsical horror comedy that also doubles as a loving homage to filmmaking and
staying true to oneself. Featuring a hilarious ensemble (including Goodfellas/Sopranos
alumni Lorraine Brocco), a smart script, and a poignant vibe about family and
friendship, this is one of the best surprises of the year.
Eddie, his
pregnant wife and their son reside with his mother-in-law Nancy who does not
approve of Eddie's dream to bring his social justice horror series, The
Menacer to the small screen. As his marriage begins to strain and he
finds unexpected success, Eddie must choose not only what is most important to
him, but also remain true to his dreams. Chris Carvalho and Chris
Plaushin's light and breezy script is heavily layered with Wisconsin jokes
and nods to local legends. The dialogue is extremely funny, with Brocco
stealing every single second of her screen time. In between the arrested
development and familial drama, Eddie's daydreams of The Menacer character are
both wild and somehow, perfect.
James Austin
Kerr stars as Eddie and he is supported by Brocco, and Christine Sprang who
plays his wife. Additionally, Kellan Tetlow has a hilarious turn as their
thespian inspired son Billy while Alfonso Caballero plays Eddie's lifelong best
friend and amateur baseball hero Joe. Finally, Brian Tichnell rounds out
the family as Eddie's hockey obsessed brother-in-law. At its core
this is a skin-deep story about putting your family first and recognizing that
the grass is not always greener on the other side. Salmon's cast blends
together in such an organic way that the viewer cannot help but to root for
this group of zany characters.
Matthew Chavez's cinematography has a VHS vibe to it that truly comes to life
during The Menacer filming sequences. If there is a flaw, it is
that the show within the movie does not get enough chance to breathe, but this
is also necessary as the fate of the intellectual property is one of the main
plot points. The final yield is a genuine, heartwarming experience.
Now available
for digital on demand, The Mother, The Menacer, and Me is a simple, yet
endearing film about following one's dreams while also being a responsible
adult, partner, and parent. While the creative process and the artform of
making films is of import, it is one's family, one's crew, one's people who are
the most valuable things anyone has, and this film highlights this truth with
tears, smiles, and unforgettable laughter.
--Kyle
Jonathan