The Rat Thing

The term "Independent Film" gets thrown around a lot in Hollywood these days, however, most of the films put into this category have a pedigree that more closely resembles a small studio film - not an independent film. The Rat Thing, deftly written and directed by Kevin Keresey, is actually an independent film that aspiring filmmakers can point to and say, "good movies can be made outside of the studio system."

As a writer who's about to experience my first screenplay getting made into a film this summer, I can't begin to express what a miracle it is that any film gets made. I don't know the back story that led to the Rat Thing actually taking flight, but I do know that the rock solid screenplay was heavily sought after and it took tremendous courage (and perhaps balls the size of church bells), to pass up guaranteed money for the chance to make it on Keresey's own terms.

Without writing a Netflix type of synopsis, I will convey that the film has a style that is a throw back to 1970's film making - "California Split," "The Late Show," and "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" all seemed to be films that may have influenced Keresey. His cast is capable and up to the challenge of handling the dialogue and moving the story forward. This film is not perfect. It doesn't have the gloss of a Michael Bay blockbuster, or the smile of Tom Cruise, but it does have the imperfect visage of an alley cat that moves confidently among the rich and in today's Hollywood, that makes us love this movie all the more.

I saw "The Rat Thing" this week at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival, and I loved every minute of it.

This is one of those films that demonstrate that you don't need hundreds of millions of dollars to make a great comedy, and that many of the best movies these days aren't on the big screen or even on cable, They are found at film festivals and in the direct-to-DVD distribution channels... although if there are any film distributors or cable TV network programming buyers with even a tiny amount of good taste, they'll meet whatever producer/director/writer/co-star Kevin Keresey is asking for the rights because it is that good. It's a film that deserves to be seen by an audience far larger than any film festival can offer.

This is a well-written and well acted film that is further augmented by great cinematography and an excellent use of soundtrack music and sound in general. It's also possessed with a unique style that causes it to be a thoroughly modern comedy that nonetheless transmits a classic vibe. It's a film firmly rooted in the modern day, with modern characters struggling in dead-end low-paying service jobs who come up with a modern scheme to enrich themselves in the law suit lottery that passes for the civil court system in the United States, but the crispness of the dialogue delivered by the two lead characters and the rapid-fire nature of their patter--not to mention their natures and relationships--give the film an air of the best Abbott & Costello movies. (The fact the film is populated entirely by hard-luck characters that we are alternatively laughing with and laughing at also serves to strengthen the film's classic feel.)

The Rat Thing is a film you do not want to miss. I was privileged to see The Rat Thing at a film festival in Oklahoma just recently. The Rat Thing is a perfect example of an Independent movie with a studio look and feel. It shows how when passion and patience are put into a film the result is a work of art and not a waste of time. The movie is hilariously funny and the rat is amazingly talented along with it's cast and crew and the story behind it. Overall The Rat Thing is a very well written, well acted independent movie that I would recommend for anyone to go and see. It's very rare to find an independent movie for all ages and genuinely to be for the whole family.

I saw the film without knowing any of the background surrounding how it was made. The cinematography is captivating. The writing crisp and intelligent. Many films crumble by having just those two attributes and nothing else. The Rat Thing builds upon those attributes by adding excellent direction and a cast of very qualified actors. With all of this put together, the film plays out as a wonderfully witty and charming audience pleaser. The screening I saw had the crowd laughing and rolling along for the ride. With all of the components of a large studio production, and I assumed it was, it is so inspiring to see a film that stayed true to form and maintained the vision of the writing. It is especially inspiring to find out that large studios had offered great sums of money for the script, but were refused when Kevin Keresey(Writer/Director/Actor) stuck to his conviction that those studios would undoubtedly alter the integrity of his vision. Way to go! This film is an all around hit in all aspects of film-making!

The Rat Thing is an awesome thing. I did not know this filmmaker before I saw the movie, nor any of the actors, and this comment is 100% honest and from the heart. If David Mamet was writing comedies right now this is would be the result. Great dialog, super timing from the actors, and this movie has the look of a very polished high budget movie. Everyone in the audience where I saw it at a festival in Oklahoma rolling was in the aisles. The three actors playing the leads are excellent, and the editing is tight. Not to mention the Rat! It's one thing to make a great indie feature, it completely another to make one with a live Rat! This movie deserves to be up on the big screen. Great work! I highly recommend it.