He Was Once

One of the coolest, craziest things I've ever seen! I loved the concept behind this art film, what a great spoof on "Davy and Goliath". The adults play the kids, the kids play the adults, and "Goliath"? Is played by a footstool decked out in leopard skin and a spiked collar. Beneath all this "tom-foolery" is serious content, however. A great "Indie" piece!

An often humorous play on the 60s Christian children's cartoon Davey and Goliath, this short examines the stereotypical American family and a power conflict arising within it. An experimental film, to be sure, but straightforward and humorous enough that it should entertain anyone with an even passing interest in independent/art house film. It would also be of interest to anyone interested in Freudian psychology, gender roles, ideas about power/ knowledge relationships, and, some have suggested, queer theory as well. Notably, Todd Haynes makes a cameo appearance in the first scene; the film deals with many issues he would take up later in his career (my DVD of Haynes' 'Dottie Gets Spanked' has the film in its special features section)

Davy sees a bear on the street and his dad doesn't believe him, causing a trip even deeper into the Twilight Zone. Oh and all the kids are played by adults and all the adults are played by kids (and Goliath as a footstool)

How to describe this film? Twisted? Disturbing? Off Center?

I'm not sure. In its 16 minutes it takes you to a very off kilter place and then leaves you to ponder what you've seen.

How is it? Affective. It leaves you feeling somehow different than when you started watching it, but I'm not certain its something one would want to watch repeatedly. I gave it an 8 out of 10 because it messes with your head, but...

Davey and his friends see a bear chained up in town, then when Davey tells his family at the dinner table, his father calls him a liar and beats him with his belt! But is Dad a liar, too?

No synopsis could do this film justice, it is just beyond words. This movie is a perfect short subject for any cult movie experience. The makers of this film have actors play clay figures, which actually works most of the time! Adults play children and children play adults. I don't know if I'm missing any social commentary or not, but come to your own conclusions! This is still a wonderful movie, just wish it could have been longer. I just couldn't stop laughing! Watch for the bizarre dream sequences and Mother slapping her daughter!