Nowhere Man

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!

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.

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!

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.

Description: Conrad, our hero, must retrieve his beloved 'member' within 24 hours so that it can be surgically re-attached, and… Well, you get the idea. You probably know now whether you're interested in seeing this little flic or not. If you are, you're in for a surprising treat, because writer/director McAnn serves up this no budget gem with a dose of spicy black humor; but the real kudos go to actor Michael Rodrik (who is this guy?) who steams his way through one of the darkest psychic tunnels an actor ever had to go through, and does so with alarming gusto. Some viewers will get their panties twisted over the lewd (and I do mean lewd) subject matter; but hey, that's how I feel about romantic comedies, so different strokes, right? Hopefully this flic will not be buried amid the tons of crappy video sensationalism. Whoever released it deserves some credit for having the courage to do so. Two thumbs up!