When a dead body comes into your life, be it by accident or choice, do you make it a ‘Bonnie’ situation (a la PULP FICTION?) or a ‘Bernie’ situation, as in the late 1980s comedy WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S with Jonathan Silverman and Andrew McCarthy, as one character describes it? Such is the predicament in DEAD BODY.
Well, for hapless estranged husband Jason (Aaron Massey), living on the couch of his friend Craig (James Edward Shippy) and fiancée Angela (Danielle Dallacco), who also is an expert in Israeli Krav Maga martial arts, things come to a head when his ex-wife Tiffany’s (Natalie Canizares) new boyfriend Brendin (Adam Moses) arrives with R.J. (writer/director Andy Rossi) with an envelope containing divorce papers from his
However, the envelope contains some money for something different. In a confusing fight, Jason accidentally causes Brendin to fall and fatally injure his head on a bin. Desperate, Jason calls Craig at work and he rushes home to discover the evidence. Is there a Winston Wolf around when you need it….?
Andy Rossi has fashioned a fun, comic noir that echoes the likes of THE HANGOVER, BLOOD SIMPLE and BURN AFTER READING, plus of course PULP and BERNIE’S. It’s energetic and involving, with a great ensemble cast and although it does tap into past glories, it does provide a tight and likeable just-over-an-hour running time that is well structured and scripted.
Admittedly, the sense of familiarity might just be a turn-off, but it works sufficiently well on that basis and doesn’t wear out its’ welcome. Cast and crew have promise for future work.
I would say that this is one of the picks of LAIFF 2021, with good cinematography, good make-up effects and a great Moroder-style synth score to back it up. Prospects for festivals and indie release are also looking worthy.
The Los Angeles International Film Festival (LAIFF) runs from 16th – 21st November 2021. For information and tickets etc, please go to:
www.laiff.org
Dead Body
I love this movie!!
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