Saturday 7 June 2014

Cheap Thrills - Review

Director: E.L. Katz Writers: Trent Haaga, David Chirchirillo Studios: Drafthouse Films, New Artists Alliance, Snowfort Pictures Cast: Pat Healy, Sara Paxton, Ethan Embry, David Koechner Release Date (UK): June 6, 2014 Certificate: 15 Runtime: 85 min

“Cheap Thrills” asks the question, “How much would you be willing to degrade yourself just to pay the bills or make the monthly rent?” “An awful bloody lot,” would be the answer given by reunited friends Craig and Vince, who take part in sick, twisted bets for money (lotsa money!) in E.L. Katz’s jet-black comedy. Recently let go from his job as a car mechanic, struggling family man Craig (Pat Healy) bumps into Vince (Ethan Embry), an old high school buddy, at a bar one night. There, they meet a rich couple (David Koechner and Sara Paxton) who invite them to play a game. The game: competing against each other, Craig and Vince must complete various tasks for wads of cash. The longer the night goes on, the bigger the rewards become and the further the tasks escalate into violence and depravity. I’d detail some of those tasks here, but I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises in store -- I will say, however, that if you’re an owner of a small poodle and you love that small poodle, maybe this movie isn’t for you.

This is a dark, dark, *dark* comedy. If you laugh at this, you’re one sick fuck. Luckily, I am a sick fuck, so I was happily chuckling along even as I was writhing and squirming in horror and disgust. Not all of it is played for laughs: the film is, after all, ultimately a sad tale of financial desperation in our current economy, so a sharp sting of melancholy hangs heavy in the air. But the enjoyment of “Cheap Thrills” comes mostly from seeing just how screwed-up the bets become over the course of the night and just how low Craig and Vince are willing to stoop. Suffice to say, this is not a film for the faint of heart, but for the strong of heart, it’s a deliciously fucked-up blast of twisted nastiness. All the while the fantastic (and, crucially, convincing) performances of the four game leads help to elevate the film above cheap schlock, which I suppose it is -- just look at the title. But it’s cheap schlock with a point and a purpose. And if I’m being served cheap schlock, that’s precisely how I want it served (alternative side dishes: a slice of fun and microwaved pet).

Rating: 8/10

No comments:

Post a Comment