Clinger

My quick rating - 5,2/10. Not really a horror but has horror elements. These are far overshadowed by the humor which was surprisingly good. That said, one character stole the spotlight with the laughs. Kudos to the scriptwriter that came up with her lines. To get what I mean, you will just have to see it. Very under the radar but going in blind, I was entertained for sure. If this were developed better, this could have been great. Not the first dead partner comes back to haunt the other that lives, but surely original in the death itself and the method of haunting. I am kinda laughing thinking about it. I can see going back and watching this again.

Usually when I hand out such low ratings it means the film annoyed me in some way, but this is simply too formulaic, predictable and mostly uninteresting. The gags are not all trash, there's a solid idea here and there, but most of them are primitive. The film is kind of inoffensive in its low-budget naivety, but it's just doesn't maintain interest.

The male lead is the film's only major travesty: this kid stems from a wealthy pizza-chain clan, so yes, another example of how privileged and elitist the movie world is, and not just in the States. Because who the hell would cast this guy if he didn't have cash and connections? He's got less charisma than a chair or even Daniel Radcliffe - another elitist. He looks like a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Jay Berger. Just imagine if a Springsteen cloning experiment went wrong and Bruce jr turned out with an even more twisted lower jaw. If I tell you that Ben Stiller is more of a stud - and taller - than this nerd, would you laugh or accuse me of exaggeration? Bloody hell, at first I thought he was 14! Turns out he was in his 20s here. That poor girl, having had to kiss this guy, over and over! Just for that I'd shower her with awards.

Speaking of which, why the stupid name? Fern. What kind of a damn stupid name is that? That name did annoy me, come to think of it, as did that damn awful love-song the pizza kid kept singing.

The German title goes full explain mode - nothing new for them. But is it worth it? Will cling onto it too? After watching it my prediction was no - seems like I was a bit off, considering the rating and that it was nominated and won even something. I had it in for "they were trying". Others seem to think it succeeded.

And it always is in the eye of the beholder isn't it? The silliness seems to work for some, the bad acting doesn't seem to bother others and the innuendo (flat delivery or would call it "dry"?) comes off well too I reckon. If you think teenagers talking about their large throbbing ... hearts is funny ... well who am I to tell you not to be amazed by this? But if you feel this was a waste of time, don't blame me

"Clinger" has a pretty straight forward story with some really dark, but funny humor written into its classic boy-meets-girl prose. While the acting is decent, and the characters are somewhat developed, a lot of the moments fall flat. I am really not sure why but during the more comedic scenes either the timing, or delivery is just not strong. And yet from a contrast point of view, the scenes that are just casual character development have a natural quality and ease that really delivers Steves and Gabi Duncombe's (writer) vision.

There are plenty of funny moments, especially during the more physical comedy scenes that are also the horror scenes. The horror comedy aspect of "Clinger" is reminiscent of recent films like "Boy Eats Girl" with its all-out "stereotyped" gag humor, but the characters themselves are a bit more witty much like the characters in classic films such as "Election" with Reese Witherspoon. "Clinger" really has some nice moments. Of course most of the moments come with the bloody, death scenes, interactions between the living and the dead-that usually ends in someone getting hurt, and a few of the actors that just own their characters.

The special effects are above par considering the budget. A lot of the stuff is CGI supported gory elements, but there is equal parts practical effects in the film too. Usually I trash films for relying on CGI to give us the horror but when a film is paranormal (ghosty) in nature I tend to find it acceptable and quite frankly necessary. Plus the effects team, and Steves balanced the CGI, practical effects nicely. And there was enough blood spray and splatter in the film to make any horror fan happy. The musical score wasn't that impressive, actually I don't think any song or sound effects sequence really stuck out to me personally. It doesn't suck-it just wasn't that impressive. Overall "Clinger" is a horror comedy worth checking out. I enjoyed the horror elements way more than the comedy stuff, but everything balances out in this one, and the cast are really committed to their characters.

Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend, at least as a one off.

Vincent Martella isn't much to speak of in this, I'm sure almost any actor fitting the demographic would have fulfill the role as written.

Jennifer Laporte really shows that she's able to carry the movie without breaking a sweat. She's a league above the other actors in the movie.

The supporting cast is all decent, if forgettable, with one note jokes and just very little benefit to the movie, but I don't blame the actors, they just did what was in the script.

To be clear, this is not a good movie, but I it has a certain charm to it that makes it worth a watch, and I would understand if people clung to it.

I thought this was going to be a "Life After Beth", but gender flipped and with a possessed bear, giving it a "Child's Play" vibe. (I think I'd really like to see that movie though.) Instead we get a whiny guy screaming, "why don't you love me?!?" for most of the movie while this amazing young lady has to endure all this trauma (enough that it wouldn't have surprised me if at the end of the movie she had imagined everything after the break up.) just trying to be her best self, and doing really well at it too.

All the after-life exploration is done off screen, and the focus is on the living person, not the dead, so we don't get any of the great character development we could have.

Honestly, go watch "Life After Beth" first, then come back and watch this if you still need something to scratch the itch.