Puddle Cruiser

I was excited to find this film on Sundance, it having been recommended to me by a friend who's no slouch in the picking-out-talented films department. I'm amazed this was done with only $160,000. I greatly look forward to the next projects of everyone involved. It reminded me of "Bottle Rocket," not so much in plot or style but in overall spirit and fun. I hope this gets the wide release it deserves, as I'd love to buy the DVD and find out more about how it was done, etc. Great film to watch with friends or by yourself. I know this review doesn't say all that much, but watching it this afternoon for the second time has made me alternately nostalgic and lighthearted, and I felt like tossing these words out into cyberspace.

Puddle Cruiser was my "Introduction" to the Broken Lizards. I saw the film in 2004 at a film festival that my wife talked me into attending. I had never heard of the Broken Lizards and was frankly not too excited about going. To cap it off, we didn't have a sitter for my 4 month old son, so I had to hold him for 2 hours. It was well worth it. The movie was great. It was filmed at their old college campus on a very low budget. It's raw, funny, absurd, ridiculous and enjoyable. With so much junk being produced now, it was a true break from mainstream crap. It's genuine art and not a bunch of clichés. See this movie and everything these guys make! By the way, I have NEVER rated a movie a "10". An "8" is pretty good.

Since one would most likely be watching this movie after seeing Super Troopers and/or Club Dread, one would be tempted naturally to compare this movie to the others. One should keep in mind this was their first film, and the budget was very low. That said... it is a good movie, well worth watching. It has several laughs out loud moments which in itself is worth the rental fee. It is very slow paced, and the film is almost completely dialog driven. However, there is great humor to be found in this dialog, the same humor which is found in S.T. or C.D..

Having been out of college for over 10 years now, I imagine this would be even funnier watching this as a college student, as the plot centers around college life in a small pond. However, it has a nostalgic nature seeing this, as it did bring back some of my college memories.

The acting of the lead character by Steve Lemme is extremely flat and tedious, helping to keep the pace fairly slow. (Lemme however in S.T. makes up for this ten fold.) Fortunately, the supporting characters played by the rest of the Lizard troop are exaggerated and outlandish. The repartee between Kevin and Paul's characters is particularly hilarious.

Jay and Kevin are excellent editors, and Jay also chose great music for the soundtrack. Jay also avoids the usual mistake of a young film-maker with a dialog driven script by having good and interesting cinematography. The mail room scenes with Freaky are funny and show off Jay's creativity behind the camera.

Again this is a good movie. It of course doesn't stand up well against Super Troopers, (which in my opinion is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.) And it will not be as visually as interesting as Club Dread which must have had a budget 100 times bigger than Puddle Cruiser. But it is a good and funny movie which can stand up on its own. I highly recommend it to any Lizard fans, and any fans of good comedy.

This film marks the directorial debut of Jay Chandrasekhar, who would go on to achieve greater recognition with the comedy troupe Broken Lizard and films like "Super Troopers." Released in 1996, "Puddle Cruiser" showcases the group's early comedic talents and sets the tone for their signature irreverent humor.

The film revolves around the lives of a group of college friends at a small fictional university. At its core, the narrative explores the complexities of relationships, self-discovery, and the awkwardness of young adulthood. The characters are endearingly awkward, and their interactions are laced with the kind of humor that lies somewhere between deadpan and slapstick.

Chandrasekhar's direction displays a unique style that, even in his debut, hints at the distinctive comedic voice that would later become synonymous with Broken Lizard. The film's low-budget feel adds to its indie charm, emphasizing substance over style. The dialogue is clever and quick-witted, with the cast delivering their lines with a natural, unpolished flair that enhances the film's authenticity.

While "Puddle Cruiser" may not boast the polished production values of mainstream comedies, its raw and unfiltered nature contributes to its appeal. The film's charm lies in its ability to capture the essence of college life and the awkward journey of self-discovery that comes with it. The characters' relatability and the film's honest portrayal of friendship make it a hidden gem in the world of indie comedies.

In conclusion, "Puddle Cruiser" is a delightful and underrated comedy that serves as a precursor to the later successes of Broken Lizard. Its unique blend of humor, relatable characters, and unpretentious style make it a must-watch for fans of indie comedies and those interested in the early works of a talented comedic ensemble.

Super Troopers was an instant classic. Club Dread, while disappointing to many, had its moments. Puddle Cruisers has fewer moments. I saw this movie on the shelf of my local video store and saw at the bottom that it was made by the Broken Lizard group who made Super Troopers, so naturally I picked it up. I only found one scene to be laugh out loud funny. A far cry from Super Troopers. All in all, I was very disappointed. I would not recommend this to anyone, unless you have an abundance of free time, and really need to kill some time. However, you're better off playing video games, or watching something that might make you laugh or think.