Matt's Chance

After spending a day watching films at a local film festival in my home town, it was refreshing to see an independent film with real actors, a real director, an real charm!

Matt's Chance is a quirky offbeat dark comedy with some very interesting and intense scenes, and is driven by its slew of odd character . Edward Furlong brings his classic slacker style of comedic performance to the film. It's possibly Furlong's best work in over a decade. The characters are fresh and do a great job of pulling off the humor that goes along with a dark comedy like this. I especially liked Bill Sorice as the mob boss character, he almost had the feel of a crazy Andy Garcia, and was a breath of fresh air to the Russian stereotypical gangster we see in independent films today. Lee Majors delivers some great lines as the advice giving Barber. You can't go wrong for an independent film with an icon like Lee Majors. Gary Busey, is casted perfectly for this offbeat character driven comedy, an makes a nice cameo as a pawn shop owner giving life lessons. Margret Kidder, "Louis Lane from Superman" makes an amazing cameo as an aging stripper that is a must see for any fan boy or girl out there. Edi Zanidache is spot on as the gangster wannabe best friend, an adds the perfect amount of charm thru out the film!

All in all it's a fun ride and a great independent movie from a promising director. I highly recommend this film to people who loved Martin Scorsese's "After Hours"! If you have ever fell for the wit and charm that Mr. Furlong can produce in such films as "Pecker" or "Detroit Rock City" seek this film out Immediately!

You may have noticed out of 26 reviewers for "Matt's Chance", nobody has reviewed more than 1 movie on IMDb. Not that this necessarily makes their opinions less valid (I mean hey, even Tibetan monks who are only allowed to watch 1 movie in their entire life have the right to post on IMDb?) But if you're like me, you might smell some review padding at work.

Well rest assured I'm a real person, not involved with this production in any way, not dating any of the cast or crew, with nothing better to do with my life than review some 500+ movies on IMDb, so you can trust that this review is legit.

"Matt's Chance" is a quirky, dark comedy which which is 1/4 love story, 1/4 revenge story, 1/4 crime story, 1/4 fantasy, and 100% original. It begins mundanely enough: a loser is in a bar whining to his buddy about some chick, and the film proceeds in flashback form as he tells his bud the story. From there it picks up speed, it ropes us in with foreshadowing of some epic disaster to come, and the vibe becomes increasingly surreal, building momentum and suspension of disbelief until the astonishing ending which requires your disbelief to be not only suspended but beaten senseless like a piñata.

Some people may hate it for that very reason, but if you like movies that run you over like a garbage truck, challenging you to grasp unconventional situations and even more unconventional morality, then this is for you.

Without ruining anything, I'll say it's an adventure of one man embarking on a journey of revenge. Not quite sure of how to proceed, he encounters bizarre characters along the way (Lee Majors as the silent barber, Gary Busey as the hilariously cynical pawn shop owner, Margot Kidder as a sexagenarian stripper "he only keeps me around because I look enough like a man to get his rocks off" haha). These characters each appear for 1 scene and are seen no more, as if they're chapters out of an Alice in Wonderland nightmare: a caterpillar, a mad hatter, a duchess.

Other characters are more established but equally bizarre: his best friend the priest who raps on the toilet in his spare time, and a charmingly disturbed individual known as Gabor who reminded me very much of John Turturro's sleazy character in "The Big Lebowski" except this guy was much more likable.

Plot aside, this is an odd morality tale for the 21st century. It definitely ain't your grandfather's morality tale. So be prepared for anything. The wacky twist at the end really makes you think hard. In that respect it reminded me of the disturbing dark comedy with Rainn Wilson & Ellen Page called "Super" which challenges us to see the moral difference between a superhero and psycho vigilante... if there is indeed a difference. Neither of these films is to be taken at face value, and the satire is so thick you can't help but be amused at how the director is playing with us.

Stylistically, the humor is subtle & snappy with funny characterizations (excellently acted all around). The awkward "tough guy" match between Gary Busey & Bill Sorice ("Gabor") had me howling. Comedy-wise it's similar to the obscure gems "Circus Maximus" and "Bunny Whipped". If you haven't heard of those, think of "Pulp Fiction" on a caffeine high. That is: offbeat, deadpan humor but at a faster pace. If you're in the mood for something like you've never seen, give "Matt's Chance" a chance.

I had the opportunity to see this film recently and wasn't sure what to expect. Very funny at times and also has some unexpected twists. The film does have a dark side and covers a lot of subject matter, but in a comical way.

Furlong turns in a solid performance and Gary Busey and Bill Sorice provide excellent supporting roles. Margot Kidder's cameo is worth the price of admission. The entire cast is excellent and the story is very original.

Overall a very well done independent film and a very promising director. I can't wait to see what Mr. Gyeney does next.

Saw this movie a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the experience. I did find it a bit overwritten and under edited but with a sincere heart. The production values were first rate; especially the cinematography. However it excelled in the casting. The most challenging acting role was taken on by Bill Sorice as the Russian Mob guy. He brought humor and humanity to the part. The cameos by Lee Majors and Gary Busey were first rate but it was Margot Kidder who stole the show. I also thought the routine by the priest was very funny and novel. The entire cast did a great job of delivering a quirky story That I hope does very well in all markets. Fun Stuff!!

When I found out Edward Furlong would be featured in "Matt's Chance" at my local Film Festival, I jumped at the chance. His role is a departure from some of his most critically acclaimed performances, but Furlong being an artist and not just an actor, makes it a memorable ride. He plays one of those pudgy, vulnerable, underdog characters you'd see in a Seth Rogen character....you find yourself rooting for him even when he finds himself not doing the "right thing", actual or imagined.

He's supported throughout the movie by some well-meaning, if not detrimental, characters. I think we'll be seeing a lot more out there of Edi Zanidache who plays gangsta wanna-be Daddy (Father) Dave. Brilliantly energetic and funny. And Margot Kidders performance...well maybe I wasn't expecting much ...which is why she truly blew me away as Mother Mabel! Her performance was so earnest...I wish there were more of her in this film. Completely under- rated and perhaps forgotten as the artist that she is...she was just fantastic. And as quirky as Busey is in real life, there's still no mistaking, he is a Master performer.

There are some scenes that will stick with you and make you chuckle for days, like the over- dosed paranoid Bunny scene. The whole thing felt like a meth-trip ride...not just the scene, the movie itself. If you like off-kilter comedy with a dark and ballsy edge, go see this Film.