Nowhere Man

Okay, I feel like I've just been tickled and punched for eighty minutes. This shot on video movie about a good looking guy who searches for his penis in the porn underworld deserves a lot of credit for it's intelligence, but most of all for it's unrelenting intensity. Asidefrom the pulpy aspects, this film has some incredibly honest moments: the relationship between the two leads rings strong and true; this film also has the most intense 'rape' scene since the one in that French film "IRREVERSIBLE". Probably not your cup of tea if you like comedies with the word 'wedding' in the title. But if you don't mind the cut-rate production, get ready for a very interesting viewing.

Chutzpah has a new--perhaps permanent--definition: NOWHERE MAN, an execrable would-be drama, would-be comedy, would-be satire, would-be goof/spoof, would-be Troma-type gore fest (Lloyd Kaufman even has a small role). So many would-be's and not a single be.

The height of the chutzpah is using outtakes during the end credits to what has already been one long outtake in itself. Without these dumber-than-usual add-ons, the film would have rolled in at just 70 minutes. With them, it stretches out the insult to 80. Jumping off (and crashing) from the John and Lorena Bobitt tale, the movie plays it mostly straight (very badly) but occasionally veers into leaden satire, which is even worse. The two leads could very possibly be decent actors. But not here. Technically the movie sucks, too, which leaves it without a single redeeming feature.

Now that I rethink for a moment, I must admit my earlier mistake: The tip-top height of chutzpah is that fact that this film actually received a theatrical release. Imagine the poor schnooks who paid movie-theatre prices!

DARK, BAWDY AND FEROCIOUS This no budget hand grenade rips apart the mold of gutless, brainless and disingenuously politically correct products that have become DE rigger in film-making today: our main character discovers that his fiancée has appeared in several interracial porno films; our main character calls off the engagement and abuses said fiancée; our main character has his penis cut off and held for ransom. Sound like an exploitation film? Yes, but this one has brains and wit. Probably one of the darkest films you'll ever see, but the pathos is leavened with a twisted humor (catch 'Daddy Mac' rapping, or 'Dr. Johnson' counseling). This being said, 'Nowhere Man' is sure to offend some of you, especially those who specialize in getting moralistic and self righteously worked up over whatever. And many will be turned off by the low production values, and somewhat thin storyline. But these are petty qualms in what is a gutsy little piece of counter-culture.

Nowhere Man is an oil-black comedy, a film noir taken to the 10th power. It's a throwback to the Lorena Bobbitt story and disturbingly funny. Chalk another one up to the frequent collaboration between director Tim McCann and star Michael Rodrick!

A pitch-black dark comedy about the consequences of your actions. The acting could not be better - those familiar only with Debbie Rochon's comedy-horror roles are going to be stunned by the depth of her performance. The structure of the story ensures that the viewer works to grasp the levels of the narrative. It's just an outstanding, grim and gritty movie. Not for the squeamish, insecure men or anyone lacking a sense of humor.