The Rat Thing

The Rat Thing is a film you do not want to miss. I was privileged to see The Rat Thing at a film festival in Oklahoma just recently. The Rat Thing is a perfect example of an Independent movie with a studio look and feel. It shows how when passion and patience are put into a film the result is a work of art and not a waste of time. The movie is hilariously funny and the rat is amazingly talented along with it's cast and crew and the story behind it. Overall The Rat Thing is a very well written, well acted independent movie that I would recommend for anyone to go and see. It's very rare to find an independent movie for all ages and genuinely to be for the whole family.

I saw the film without knowing any of the background surrounding how it was made. The cinematography is captivating. The writing crisp and intelligent. Many films crumble by having just those two attributes and nothing else. The Rat Thing builds upon those attributes by adding excellent direction and a cast of very qualified actors. With all of this put together, the film plays out as a wonderfully witty and charming audience pleaser. The screening I saw had the crowd laughing and rolling along for the ride. With all of the components of a large studio production, and I assumed it was, it is so inspiring to see a film that stayed true to form and maintained the vision of the writing. It is especially inspiring to find out that large studios had offered great sums of money for the script, but were refused when Kevin Keresey(Writer/Director/Actor) stuck to his conviction that those studios would undoubtedly alter the integrity of his vision. Way to go! This film is an all around hit in all aspects of film-making!

I had so much fun watching The Rat Thing at a recent independent film festival. This movie had me laughing out loud, so hard that I was crying, and by the end of the movie I actually hurt from laughing that hard for that long. This independent film was made extremely well - from the intriguing and unusual story line, to the hilarious dialogue and interactions between very unique characters (cheers to Keresey and McGee for their outstanding performances), and the film-making process - the directing, filming, camera angles, casting, editing - all of it created a movie that is top notch. And of course I loved how the Rat was incorporated into the story - hats off to the animal trainer too (you're my hero!). I can't wait to see this movie again!

The term "Independent Film" gets thrown around a lot in Hollywood these days, however, most of the films put into this category have a pedigree that more closely resembles a small studio film - not an independent film. The Rat Thing, deftly written and directed by Kevin Keresey, is actually an independent film that aspiring filmmakers can point to and say, "good movies can be made outside of the studio system."

As a writer who's about to experience my first screenplay getting made into a film this summer, I can't begin to express what a miracle it is that any film gets made. I don't know the back story that led to the Rat Thing actually taking flight, but I do know that the rock solid screenplay was heavily sought after and it took tremendous courage (and perhaps balls the size of church bells), to pass up guaranteed money for the chance to make it on Keresey's own terms.

Without writing a Netflix type of synopsis, I will convey that the film has a style that is a throw back to 1970's film making - "California Split," "The Late Show," and "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" all seemed to be films that may have influenced Keresey. His cast is capable and up to the challenge of handling the dialogue and moving the story forward. This film is not perfect. It doesn't have the gloss of a Michael Bay blockbuster, or the smile of Tom Cruise, but it does have the imperfect visage of an alley cat that moves confidently among the rich and in today's Hollywood, that makes us love this movie all the more.

I had the pleasure of enjoying this film at the Bare Bones Film Festival. It is a wonderful comedy. The screenplay is witty and fast. The comedic pacing is furious and funny. The plot is original and the performances are played to perfection. Keresey as the straight, no-nonsense, smart con-man plays the part to perfection. McGee as the bumbling sidekick is so funny I thought my lungs were going to explode from laughing.

There is never a dull moment as the plot move forward with fast paced dialogue and banter between the two main characters.

Shot with Venice, CA as it's backdrop, the camera work is excellent.

Do yourself a favor and check out this film.