James Morosini – Cut To The Chase

Written, Directed & Edited By: Gregory Jardin

Cinematography: Kevin Fletcher

Cast: Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Reina Hardesty, Devon Terrell, David Thompson, Madison Davenport

A group of friends gather for a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend arrives with a mysterious game that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires and grudges.

It feels like the film is too in love with its cleverness just like the characters are. Though most are unlikable and insufferable.

It earns its stripes as it is definitely a dark comedy. That is too cruel at times. That tries to justify itself. Though it truly lives up to its title.

At times the film feels like the recent release Bodies Bodies Bodies only here you at least get characters rather than types.

The film is inventive and stylistic, but you can’t admire it because it’s too busy moving on to the next dazzling piece.

In this film so much happens too fast that the film seems afraid to rest as everything must be done and can never be allowed to sit stop and think especially the audience throwing you off balance so that you truly never know what will happen next

It also doesn’t help that the film and the script seem to want most of the characters to shine. There isn’t truly that much room in there.

You get the feeling that maybe the filmmakers or film doesn’t trust itself by standing still that there must be a bunch of distractions so the few questions. Which makes the film come across like a game trying to play with the audience.

Essentially, it feels like a group of actors getting together and scratching the material into a comedy group exercise or comedy group trying to make a film to serve all their sensibilities.

Luckily, the film does get better as it goes along as you gain some knowledge about the situation, the characters, and some of its rules and plays the questioning of identity that doesn’t get that deep but tries to have fun test itself into deeper waters once we get to know them and their true colors start to show

It’s a film to enjoy as long as you don’t think too deeply about it.

Grade: B-

Written & Directed By: James Morosini Cinematography: Steven Capitano Calitri Editor: Josh Crockett

Cast: Patton Oswalt, James Morosini, Claudia Sulewski, Amy Landecker, Lil Rel Howery, Rachel Dratch, Ricky Velez, Sarah Helbringer

A hopelessly estranged father catfishes his son in an attempt to reconnect.

This film is supposedly based on a true story and if that is a fact. This Is either a brave admission that I am sure has been somewhat exaggerated to a degree or a rather genius demented dark comedy.

The film sounds interesting to most until they actually see how it is affecting both characters. Sure it’s helping the son and the father-son relationship, but It’s built on lies and bad communication that isn’t malicious. It’s more desperate and misdirected though for a reason.

So that towards the end you care for everyone involved even the ones affected inadvertently. We are allowed to see glimpses of play out. As you know that they’re nice the truth comes out and it must. It will feel more like a horror film.

An aspect that one admired about the film above all else, is the way that it integrates the text conversations into seemingly more face-to-face conversations. So that the audience isn’t left exclusively trying to read the screen during half of the film. Allowing the scenes and scenarios an extra dimension and a new level of compatibility for the characters. As well as comfort.

As it also gives us a glimpse into inner thoughts. While reminding us how disturbing the situation is. Like when sexting owns another.

Though it might be that new filmmakers who grew up with texting being practically second nature have figured out how to creatively make it work and have it especially work for them

As with most dark comedies it does end with hope. Even though most of the film, there is discomfort.

It’s nice to see Patton Oswalt in more of a leading man role again. That actually seems to fit him. As with him, you believe everyone in their roles.

You have to believe James Morosini, as he is the writer/director that this all happened to supposedly in real life. So essentially playing himself.

Makes you wonder what he will have next up his sleeve or is this a one and done and just wanted to get his personal story out there.

Some little tidbits you are left to wonder like was the son socially awkward before going to the Mrs tap hospital or just after his breakdown and is it directly due to not having a male figure around?

The film even with its freaky subject matter is never mean-spirited and offers more of a gentle touch. As this might remind some of the movie WORLD’S GREATEST DAD though that film has Its Strengths. Most of the characters in that film were unlikeable and had an agenda at some point. So that it came off as cynical. It would make a good double feature with it though.

Here this film has its own identity and tries to be rough but offers some hope. Where the main character of the father admits to his mistakes and is not delusional, but suffers a connected series of events. Where he continuously digs himself deeper.

So that it becomes truly a comedy of errors.

Grade: B-

Tag: James Morosini

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