I’m a big supporter of independent film, or anything you can throw the word independent in front of. They are dedicated souls who put aside a portion of their lives and time to do something they love to do, even though the financial benefits may be grievously lacking. I know musicians that work and save money just to do a tour, writers that tirelessly promote their work hoping someone will read it, and filmmakers that pull together something with little over a hundred dollars to work with. “The Escribitionist,” is a film that encapsulates the labor of love that is indie film.
“The Escribitionist” is director/writer David Smith’s day in the life comedy about the social network generation. The story follows Josh Thompson, a self-absorbed college dropout living his life with one priority, his blog. Josh’s blog becomes a myriad of gossip when he is fired from his job, and dives into a relationship with his friend Claire. Obsessed with writing every explicit detail of his life, he fails to walk the fine line between keeping secrets and compulsive graphomania.
The first praise for the film would be the dialogue. It’s random, it’s odd, but witty; not many films start with the line, “This morning, I was taking a shit in a public restroom,” and keep you interested. The juxtaposition of the randomness of the dialogue, mixed with the casts’ solid everyday people performances, leaves your head tilted thinking is this acting, or are these genuine West Virginia gems David found. The driving force of the film is Josh, played by Greg Kiser, who delivers a charmingly offbeat performance of the socially awkward lead. There are moments when I was floored by how the boy could not function on his own; putting a metal pot in the microwave to cook Spaghetti O’s being a large red flag. Opposite of Kiser, playing the girl next door, is Erin Deegan as Claire. Deegan brings the physical allure that a female lead needs, but lacks the quirkiness in comparison to Josh. BUT WAIT! This isn’t “Gardenstate,” where epileptics with severe neurosis are seen as quirky and sexy. It’s refreshing to see a female lead that is the ordinary small-town girl; Deegan is absolutely wonderful in this aspect.
There is one thing that really sells this film, the supporting cast. Like characters in Burroughs’s bizarre walk through “Interzone,” Smith has equally bizarre, but light-hearted characters. Hilarious encounters with Huntington, West Virginia’s finest include, an imposter fireman, passionate men obsessed with the plight of the truck driver, or Jason, Claire’s oddly imposing ex-boyfriend. The Fonzie of the film hands down, is Geannie Peraldo, carpet saleswoman and cat enthusiast played by Molly Tilly. Oh the crazy doesn’t stop; Miss Peraldo has a theme song. In what is sure to be the “Alice’s Restaurant” of West Virginia film is Sasha Colette’s rendition of “Peraldo Family Carpet.” Colette, along with Jose Oreta, is responsible for the film’s quaint original music, which appropriately compliments the feel of the film.
It would be easy to dismiss this diamond of a film due to some technical limitations; sadly that’s a primary concern for the majority of independent filmmakers and snobs alike. Also, not everybody may be able to relate to the characters in the film, easy- going small town life is quite different from the chaotic and shallow mentality of a city like Miami. “The Escribitionist” is an enjoyable and intelligent take on the obsession with social media. In the film’s coda, the message is clear. When you live through a nineteen-inch screen all your life, the world becomes nineteen inches.
Check out more from David at Apartment 2B Productions
Rating: 2nd degree burn
The Ointment: An intelligent script, with two engaging lead actors, held together by an equally entertaining supporting cast.
The Burn: The technical limitations and budget of the film will turn the shallow and overly critical away…not necessarily a bad thing.
Rating System: 3rd degree burn: I don’t care how, see this movie you fool!
2nd degree burn: Worth seeing if it’s your kind of movie.
1st degree burn: Recommend to somebody who has wronged you.
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