Ball in the House

"Relative Evil" is a tough movie to describe. The story of a teen's turbulent reintegration back home after a stint in rehab, it's pitched somewhere between gritty family drama, twisty suspense and camp-infused black comedy. I actually found the tonal messiness intriguing: it's certainly not like any other coming-of-age film or addiction drama I've seen. The movie looks a good bit better than most independent films of the time, despite the lighting being too dark in some scenes.

Although unfocused at times, I was won over by the unusual plot and strong cast, particularly Jonathan Tucker, Ethan Embry and Jennifer Tillly. Fans of Tilly should take special note, as she provides a deliciously eccentric performance as the amoral and cruel Aunt Dot, who will stop at nothing to cause her nephew's demise.

This is one of those little movies that you leave just shaking your head thinking, `this is probably the best movie playing in this theatre right now, too bad no one will ever get to see it.' Personally, I just happened by it when my girlfriend convinced me to go to an Independent Film Festival. This has got to be the most independent film I have ever seen, I even got to ask the director the question, `what are you going to do to get this movie out there.'

Not all movies need a lot of money to tell a great and touching story. I was consumed by this tale of a 17-year-old boy struggling with alcohol addiction. His family is not just a bunch of stereotypes placed there to progress the story, they, along with everyone else, have the feeling of real people. You will not predict how this movie will end but, then again, you'll never get the chance to watch it.

I saw the movie at the Chicago premier. I have to agree with zooeyfan. Extremely powerful amazing performances. Jennifer Tilly is poisonous. Ethan Embry is menacing. Jonathan Tucker is excellent. The cinematography is quite good. But what a bunch of dysfunctional characters, and what a sad movie!

A little dark- literally and in plot. Jonathan Tucker is excellent, as is Tilly. A little like the Roseanne Barr show without basal morals. Chunks of sad and chunks of funny. Like Tilly with the grocery delivery guy .

I don't know what possessed Mr. Swan to write this because it's depressing. Hopeless people doing what fate programmed them to do?

This is a great movie--rent it on DVD as fast as you can....The acting is superb, and the writing is some of the best I've seen in years. Nothing rings false, which is rare in my experience. Jonathan Tucker, David Strathairn, and Jennifer Tilly all give true performances, and Ethan Embry is perfect. The setting--the locations--the music--all add to the atmosphere and pull you in till you can't look away. I want to see this movie again in the theaters, but I'll have to make do with the DVD for now... Never predictable, and achingly funny and sad at the same time. See this movie--if you have to go out in the freezing cold snow right now!!