Egghead & Twinkie

Saw this at the Austin Film Festival! Kept meaning to leave a review because I want others to know how awesome this movie is.

Short version: Endearing characters and laugh out loud moments-- very adorable and relatable <3

Longer version: The storytelling flashback mechanic coupled with cute graphics help us get into Twinkie's head. There is a good balance of comedy and vulnerability within the story. Characters feel real and flawed (everyone is a weirdo in their own way) and the film captures the heightened emotions that come with being a teen. Definitely a new favorite of the genre (DVD release???)

Egghead & Twinkie has a lot going for it. A talented cast and crew, fast pacing, creative transitions, a lighthearted tone - I could go on. But what really sets this film apart is how authentically honest it feels. Despite the awkward new reality our leads find themselves facing after years of friendship, it's never in doubt that they care about each other. Growing up can mean facing new hardships (just ask Twinkie) and disappointments (just ask Egghead), but in life's most difficult moments the right friend can lift us up and remind us that the world hasn't ended. With so much going on nowadays, we need positive stories like this now more than ever.

Thank you, Egghead & Twinkie, for the reminder of what a good friendship can mean.

I'm a middle aged Dad who likes movies but hates bad movies ha ha. I watched this film with my gay daughter. She had heard about it from a friend. Wasn't expecting much as she told me it was a low budget movie made by a student but right from the beginning it caught my attention - for all the right reasons. It is a rollercoaster of emotions as we follow our two leads on a road trip before Egghead heads to college. At times funny, sweet, sad and poignant it always rings true. Louis Tomeo excels in the part of Egghead which allows him to show his comic chops whilst having the depth of emotions to handle the heavier scenes. The actress who plays the quirky Jess does a great job of being awkward, funny and lovable - all at the same time! The script is tight, believable and clever (but not TOO clever!) and the writer/director Sarah Holland manages to tell a heartwarming story without descending into sappy. Oh, and the soundtrack is kick ass. We'd never heard any of the songs before but somehow they all fit the scenes they were applied to perfectly. This movie isn't just a good LGBT movie - it's a good movie PERIOD.

Egghead & Twinkie is what you'd get if you blend together Little Miss Sunshine, The Half of It and Japanese anime. While many of its tropes have been done countless times before, Egghead & Twinkie is a refreshing coming out film that crosses multiple genres: coming of age drama, comedy, and road trip. The lead characters are brilliant, and their friendship is one of the best parts of the film. Twinkie's journey - physically and metaphorically - is an absolute joy to watch, as are the flashback scenes and moments with Jess. While Egghead's confession that he has feelings for Twinkie, and her own coming out, could've ruined their relationship, it brings them even closer than ever.

Well that was way more fun than I was expecting! "student film, micro budget, coming out movie, gen z" Potentially a disaster for a middle-aged white guy who typically leans into action adventure stuff right?

BUT, I do appreciate a good story, well-told. And I also appreciate it when the passion for a project really comes across on the screen. And this project does not disappoint. At all.

First the story. It always starts with the script, and this one is well written. I had a little difficulty with the timeline from time to time but I found the dialog and authenticity of the performances super-engaging. And the overall honesty in capturing the time and place was touching and enlightening all at once.

Stylistically I was also impressed. The use of animation to support the story, add an element of humor, color transitions and generally provide some relief from what could otherwise feel really awkward at times was terrific. It was an effect that surprised me at first and then I came to look forward to as the story progressed. Really well-done.

A little Napoleon Dynamite, a little Juno all wrapped up in a sweet movie. Odd ball at times, very engaging performances and a ton of pay-off for any and all investment in the image on the screen. (It was well-shot too.)

Great job y'all.