Before I start off the review I will come clean and admit I did supply 3 music tracks to this film for Dance club and party scenes. I however, did not take part in the on-the-set filming process, nor did I see the completed film until my screener was sent to me in the mail.
The Maladjusted, is the new independent feature film from co-writer and director Chris Kiros.
The Maladjusted follows 3 close knit friends, Ian, the early 30's bartender ladies man, Carl, the nerd-ish, misaligned individual obsessed with sex, and Robbie, the semi-sensitive artist. Robbie, who is a writer is having some issues trying to finish his book, and decides to take on odd work to pay the bills, finds that his friends plan an all out weekend of relaxation and fun, or is it? Turns out Ian has a small trick up his sleeve and wants to bring some joy into his buddies lives so enter their weekend at the beach in a double booked rental with 3 ladies played by Katie Foster, Tiffany Shepis, and Alexandra Turshen.
Now to get this out of the way, Tiffany Shepis, mostly known for indie horror, really surprised me playing a non blood covered live, it on the wild side kind of gal. I actually was waiting at some point for Kiros to order up a 50 gallon drum of blood to soak her down at some point just to keep her reputation as a scream queen going, and to give her fans something to smile about. Well it never happens, and I was impressed with the work she turned in as the "Ice Cold B****" Carl keeps referring to her as throughout the film. However, Carl gets something from Tiffany I guarantee any of her male fans would give their left nut for... and that is all I am going to say on that.
Robbie, the writer, played by George Katz, has a sensitive side to him that works throughout the film. He isn't the typical alpha male that his friend Ian proudly displays like a merit badge. George turns out a great performance and I was glad he was part of the cast, but my one distraction though is that Robbie looks a bit like Johnny Galecki, and when he hooks up with Laura I started having Big Bang Theory withdrawal. Yes Laura, played by Katie Foster looks like Kaley Cucco from the show.
The Maladjusted is best described, in my opinion as a young adults American Pie, but with style and pizazz. The script by Chris Kiros and Elias Dancey has extremely well scripted dialog, the direction is good, and the editing is just about perfect.
This is an indie movie for late 20's early 30's adults who want to just say the hell with it, spend a weekend, and talk about the crap they pulled off throughout their lives and get a good laugh about it. With a running time of 100 minutes, you're never bored, the laughs are good, and you won't walk out or shut off the movie because of stupidity moments. This is one of those lower budget films that works as both a micro budget indie but if given the budget would have worked as a wide release indie comedy, sort of like Garden State.
All in all, having finally gotten to see it, I never looked at my watch, or stopped the film to find something else to use my time on. For an indie project I think it is well done, and executed and should be a must see for indie adult comedy film lovers.
8 out of 10
