The Living Wake

I never know what to make of a movie like this. I assume it had some sort of deeper meaning to the creator, but to me it just feels like an extended parody of a certain type of character we occasionally see in movies, the eccentric speaking in florid language, never upset by the people around him (it's usually him, not sure why). The Spoils of Babylon was built on this idea, or Norm MacDonald's fantastic channeling of John Huston in Hollywood and Wine.

But is it enough for a whole movie? Hmm.

To it felt like a Bob Byington movie (think. Frances Ferguson, or Somebody Up There Likes Me) but honestly I think Byington does it better (if the goal is comedy, at least) because he works with a wider cast and a wider range of situations.

Great dark comedy!

Mike O'Connell gives a genous performance. Other actors are also very good.

But the ending is too dark. It killes the viewer's admiration for this movie. Big mistake.

I saw The Living Wake when it screened at the Austin Film Festival in October of 2007. It was a rather amusing story of a man preparing for what he believes to be his final day of life. He wants everyone he's ever come to know throughout his life to be there to witness his wake where he will perform and then die on the spot. To say this film is offbeat would be a pretty fair way to judge it. The humor had a lot of people howling in the audience (my friend, a fellow aspiring screenwriter, was one of the many howling). I thought it reminded me in a sense of some of the work of Wes Anderson, but my friend (who is not a fan of Anderson) disagreed. After all was said and done, the film was quite enjoyable even though there were moments that were a little awkward to say the least. I hope it finds a distributor (whether it be on DVD or in the theater). It deserves it.

I was surprised to see that it's user rating is so low, currently at a 5.7, I decided to rate it a 9. This was honestly one of the best films I've viewed in a while, especially in the genre of comedy. The main characters K. Roth Binew and his "Biographer" Mills go on for hours attempting to appease all of K. Roth's dying requests as it is believed he will die this day will be his last here on earth, as his is apparently diagnosed with an unnamed terminal illness. K. Roth's mission is to find the brief but powerful monologue he father claimed would come to him before the end of his dying day. It is a very quirky and eccentric comedy yet it has enough depth to keep you emotionally involved in the film down the very last scene. I would recommend this title for almost anyone.

If you're expecting an A-List Hollywood movie, don't bother. If you're looking to watch a unique and quirky movie with humorously distorted characters- this is it! I was laughing the whole way through at the antics employed by the primary characters. Unfolds a bit more like an on-stage story rather than a screenplay. Some of us can appreciate that! ;)

Mike O'Connell delivers the slightly abrasive character true to form and Michael Cera's character Mills is lovable.

While it's intended as a comedy, the core issues the lead struggles with are real (albeit distorted) and engage the viewers empathy if not their sympathy!

As far as Indie films go, this is one of my new favorites!