Don't Tell Larry

This film is so much fun, and awesomely creepy, I watched it twice. Don't Tell Larry, written and directed by Greg Porper and John Schimke, is a hilarious ride that's also surprisingly tense. Each scene pops because it's built on constant "but" and "therefore" moments, keeping the story moving and, at times, pushing me to the edge of my seat.

If you're interested in screenwriting, study this film. It's not just the witty dialogue or the well-drawn characters, it's the constant setups, payoffs, and unexpected twists that make it work so well. Something is always happening that shifts the stakes, and that's brilliant.

The cast is spot-on. Ed Begley Jr. Is a delightfully clueless CEO whose delivery makes him a lovable idiot. Kiel Kennedy as the creepy Larry is an unhinged maniac, his smile alone is unsettling, adding a psychological thriller edge to the comedy. Patty Guggenheim as Susan and Kenneth Mosley as Patrick shine as coworkers who keep landing in the most absurd, hilarious situations.

With a sharp script and a cast that fully commits, Don't Tell Larry is a must-see. It's polished, fast-paced, and endlessly entertaining.

Don't Tell Larry is a charming, offbeat comedy that strikes the right balance between chaos and heart. The chemistry between the actors is spot-on, making their relationships feel both hilarious and genuine. The premise is fun and keeps things entertaining throughout, even if a few scenes run a bit long. Still, the humor and warmth carry the film through its slower moments. Solid production, clever writing, and a playful tone make it an enjoyable watch from start to finish. It's not trying to reinvent the genre, but it knows exactly what it is-a feel-good, comedic break that doesn't take itself too seriously.

I don't believe in recounting plot points, whether they're surprising spoilers or not, in a review, as I believe all movies should be experienced with a fresh set of eyes. However, I highly recommend this movie if you like dark comedies that take risks, and especially if you like comedies centered around workplace frustrations.

Don't Tell Larry opens by introducing us to a few quirky but recognizable office character types. They seem to live in a universe adjacent to characters in films like "Office Space" and the TV show "The Office." Pretty quickly, though, the characters in Don't Tell Larry quickly plunge headlong into a series of situations, getting into deeper trouble because of their own actions and bad decisions, or because some unexpected twist forces them to think quick. Of course, their troubles start with that inciting incident described in the title -- the main character's decision to not tell Larry something that if she had just told him, may have saved herself from a world of trouble. But then, of course, there would be no film.

Similar to how Mike Judge's feature film "Office Space" first reached audiences as short animated films featuring the character of Milton with his recurring line, "OK, but I'm going to set the building on fire," Don't Tell Larry also began as a web series. Co-writer / directors Greg Porper and John Schimke expand upon their original shorts in this much more ambitious film. The stakes have risen exponentially for everyone involved. I admire their ambition. Without giving away anything specific, some other reviewers have commented on how the plot takes unexpected turns that did not work for them. I'd like to offer a counter argument, which is also one of the reasons I enjoyed this movie so much. This movie does not play it safe! Porper and Schimke have taken risks deciding on the situations their characters need to contend with, ratcheting up the stakes into unforeseen and dangerous territory. For me, the test about whether or not an unexpected turn of events in a story "works" is if is both fresh and exciting, while also grounded in the reality of the story's universe and the characters' personalities; is the twist a logical extension of what the characters would do? Considering how many writers play it safe and don't take creative chances, I was pleased not only by where the creative team took this story, but by the fact that it seemed both fresh, surprising, and logical. In other words, by my personal test, the story worked. Not only does the plot serve the story, but the tension created by the characters faced with how to respond to the situations they find themselves in and the unexpected turn of events are the very ingredients needed for comedy. Don't Tell Larry delivers, albeit in very dark comedic fashion.

Not for the faint of a heart but what a journey this movie was! It starts slow and builds until you find yourself oddly invested in the strange sequence of events these characters find themselves in.

I'll be the first to admit it may not be everyone's type of humor but my family was laughing throughout. If you want formula-driven, run-of-the-mill movie, this is not for you! On the other hand, if you want something different and are ready for a wild ride that will make you uncomfortable at times, definitely watch it! The story line has the perfect balance of crazy and reasonable that honestly keeps the audience guessing throughout, not sure of how the adventure will pan out and how the characters will fare.

This film is like a throwback to great scrren comedies like The Jerk, Airplane, Caddyshack, or Planes Trains and Automobiles... but it is entirely unique. It really is THAT good. I saw it in a crowded theater, and I think the whole audience was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing, the acting, the way it all unfolds at a mad level... and the surprises that kept building up to absurd levels. The crowd was literally roaring with laughter. By the end of it, I was nearly crying from having laughed so much. The screwball pacing is just so, so perfect.

Much of the cast are members of The Groundlings, who gave us talents like Pee Wee Herman, Phil Hartman, Larraine Newman, and more members of the SNL cast than I can count. These people are the cream of the crop of the next great comedy stars.

Kiel Kennedy, as the title character, needs to be watched. He's the next Will Ferrell. Patty Gugenheim, Dot-Marie Jones, Tina Parker, Kenneth Mosely... every single one of them is A-level, top of their game FUNNY.

I can't wait to see what Writer/ Directors Greg Porper and John Schimke do next. I think these guys are like The Zucker Brothers meet The Coen Brothers meet Irving Thalberg, Frank Capra and John Waters on steroids. SEE THIS MOVIE.