Fishing with Gandhi

In spite of its rather poor sound quality, this is one of the funniest films i've seen (~45 times). Borrowing some character and plot elements from Hamlet, and adding a few of its own, Fishing With Gandhi explores the farcical reality of coming to grips with grief and the failures of language in dealing with difficult emotions. The dialogue is intense and often outrageously funny (note, for example, the twins' memorable discussion of "electrical heart explosions"), and the characterizations weirdly familiar. Granted, due to the poor sound quality it took me ~10 viewings to figure out exactly what was going on - but that's really part of the joy of this film: every viewing offers new discoveries, most of them hysterical.

I saw the trailer for this movie and thought it would be hilarious, but BOY was I disappointed. I can see how it was SUPPOSED to be funny, but the entire plot was about how two incredibly stupid redneck brothers saw the world and tormented a poor hitch hiker who was returning from his mother's wedding to his uncle, only 6 months after his father had died. Maybe I would have "gotten it" a little better if the sound was consistent, but the whole thing to me sounded like a bunch of nonsensical redneck grumbling. What a waste of a film.

This film has quickly become one of my top 3. Sure, it's filmed where I live, but the dialoge (when you can hear it--the sound quality's not great) is a crack-up throughout and the casual pace of the movie makes it fan-double-tastic. Up there with Clerks. Watch it a few times if you don't think you caught everything because it. is. worth. it. In response to a previous comment, the "rednecks" don't "torment" Danno, they help him re-evaluate his priorities and take a lighter-hearted approach to life. I think I'm going to have a sweatshirt made that quotes something from this movie...maybe "I'm your brother...Ghandi loves everybody" or "upside-down blood fountain." Very highly recommended!

This is a film that almost defies description; and it really has to be seen to be appreciated. It's a page out of real life, a portrait of Americana which, like life, is best when experienced first hand. It's `Fishing With Gandhi,' a biting bit of satire written by William Birdthistle, James Reichmuth, John Reichmuth and Gabe Weisert, and directed by Gabe Weisert. It's a film that grabs you by the ears and demands attention; about ten minutes into it, you get the feeling that you're sitting in a bar, eavesdropping on the conversation of the guys at the next table. And it's the kind of stuff you've heard every day of your life if you've ventured out your own front door for any period of time, especially in certain quarters of society, like maybe a place called the `Silver Dollar Saloon' or `The Roadhouse Bar and Grill.' Because these are regular folks, engaged in the kind of inane prattle that make up a good part of the conversations you're likely to hear in the above mentioned venues, or if you've ever worked in such places as a warehouse, on the dock at the post office, at a concrete factory or in a quarry. But you also get a taste of the flip side of that coin-- and which you find is not all that different-- in those involved with the likes of Investment Banking or simply cultivating a garden.

The story, such as it is, follows Danno (Dan Klein), who is hitchhiking from Seattle (where his mother has just married his uncle) to his home somewhere in California. When he hits Oregon, he scores a ride with Gil (John Reichmuth) and Roy (James Reichmuth), two good ol' boys with a pickup truck that breaks down every few miles, which is okay, because it gives them time to talk. Meanwhile, waiting for Danno at home are his roommates, Giles (William Birdthistle) and Stephen (Gabe Weisert), who, thinking Danno is probably on a real downer because of the Seattle thing, plan to cheer him up by throwing a pot luck for him upon his return, complete with streamers, which will give it all a festive look. Now, if only any of them had some friends to invite. And, more importantly, if they only knew when, exactly, Danno would be arriving. It's a complicated time for Giles and Stephen, who so want to do the right thing, while unbeknownst to them Danno is involved with two of the most uncomplicated guys you'll ever run into-- and from whom he'll learn much before he gets home, including what Gil and Roy refer to as the `Fishing With Gandhi.'

The portrayals of Gil and Roy are so authentic it's almost frightening; and whether you live in Oregon, or Iowa, or Texas or just about anywhere else, the chances are pretty good that you know these guys, or at least know someone who lives next door to them. And as they speak their little philosophies about things like diseases you can pick up from dogs, how many different ways you can die in your sleep (152) or what the best wrestling moves are (complete with a demonstration), you slowly begin to realize that if Beavis and Butthead were real and grown up, they would be Gil and Roy. Think about it. Ever known anyone who lived for that next bottle of beer and never had a conversation that didn't include something about Steelhead fishing or gutting an animal? Well, come on over and spend some time on the road with Gil and Roy. By the way, truck driving IS serious business. Just ask Roy; he's the one who flunked out of truckers school.

Switching gears, Weisert cuts to Giles and Stephen, men of a more refined palate, but whom (as we also quickly discern) do not have a clue. About anything. How the world works, how to conduct themselves socially, how to throw a pot luck. So there's two facets of society represented here, either/or to which you will be able to relate, or at least be able to identify. And the way Weisert puts you in the room-- or in the truck-- with these guys, it's like he picked them out, set the camera up in their proximity and just let it roll. it's banal, it's boring-- and it's hysterically real. If you try to analyze it, there's nothing here of real interest, and yet this film is absolutely engrossing; a true character study filled with insights into human nature that are bound to cause some reflection on the part of even the most jaded viewer. `Fishing With Gandhi' is that kind of film. It takes you down the road and says, `Here it is, brother,' for better or worse, take it or leave it. It's unique; it's an oddity; it's quirky; and it's definitely not for everyone. But for those who are ready for something completely different and want a challenge and some laughs, this one's worth checking out. It's all a part of the magic of the movies. I rate this one 6/10.

Fishing With Ghandi is one of those movies that you can quote every line with you friends and watch over and over again. Cow Monkey is their latest movie. Please check out the site royandgil.com and order your VHS tape of Cow Monkey or DVD of Fishing With Ghandi.