BINDLESTIFFS (2012)

Directed By: Andrew Edison Written By: Andrew Edison & Luke Loftin Cinematography By: Katie McDowell & Sharad Kant Patel Editor: Andrew Edison & Luke Loftin Cast: Andrew Eddison, John Karna, Luke Loftin Three high school virgins, suspended from school on a bogus graffiti charge, flee to the inner city in an attempt to live out the plot of The Catcher in the Rye - a book they neither have read nor understand. BINDLESTIFFS documents their struggles along the way as they surrender their virginities to vagrants, prostitutes, and crack fiends. Hot on their tail is Charlie, the deranged school security guard. Under the impression that the boys are planning a school shooting, he takes the law into his own hands to stop them and save America. The only faults of the film are in a technical sense. It’ not polished and leaves a lot to be desired also it’s not a film that relies on plot or too much character development. This is not the type of film you go into looking for that. This is a film that is pure enjoyment. It has personality and charm. I can see why Kevin Smith choose this to be the first release of his Smodcast pictures (2nd if you count his own film RED STATE) As the film has not only youthful energy, but you can tell it was made with determination and passion though it plays fast and loose. It has a original voice that while it may be inspired by others or at least reminds you of other film has an identity all it’s own. To tell you the truth this film truly came out of nowhere. If not for Kevin Smith championing this film it probably would have flown under my radar even though it won an audience award at the Slamdance Film Festival. It’s a shame how times have changed. When sundance first really started becoming popular in the 90’s to go with the indie boom. Film festivals were covered in major movie magazines such as PREMIERE and MOVIELINE. Slamdance which takes place at the same time as sundance even in the same state. The award winner s might not have gotten deals, but they got free press and reviews. It would make me want to seek out those films and see them. Unfortunately now Slamdance and other smaller film festivals, but rarely covered so these small indies that need the free press to gain attention rarely get it. This film with it’s looseness doesn’t announce itself. It truly is an example of new filmmakers not waiting around and playing by all the rules. They show they had a passion to make a film and gathered their resources and just went out and shot the film themselves. If they are this impressive on their own imagine if they had a professional production crew. While it’s no world changing drama. It’s also not some kids with a camcorder putting up a video in which they put what they think is funny on youtube. You can tell, though it’s a silly comedy this film was made with focus, Determination and passion. The film is funny and seems to pull off it’s humor effortlessly. It seems improvised but is scripted. The characters feel and seem to be coming up with dialogue on the spot. You never know what is going to happen next and nothings out of bounds. If something unbelievable happens which would ruin another film. In this one seems natural. The humor comes not only from reactions to crazy situations and the openness of the characters to go into them with wide-eyed innocence and never seem to be shocked. Also that the characters who seem to think they are smart and to a point sophisticated are really naïve and stupid when it comes to the world. That makes them relatable and hilarious. It is kind of like the television show IT’S ALWAYS FUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA. It feels and looks like it was made up on the spot, but shows and obvious talent while making you laugh. It also makes the characters relatable so you care about them. The cool they try to portray but the awkwardness and innocence they display at times. Sort of a dash of The lunacy of THE HANGOVER just not as grand. Like it’s producer the film and it’s makers have a voice that is new and exciting. Some might not want to listen or notice. I definitely enjoyed it and look forward to more. I think the youth of the filmmakers lends a lot to it’s charm giving an authority of knowing the generation and it’s humor. Definitely for the films enthusiasm. Not necessarily trying to be stylish. The impressive thing is that the makers of the film are so young that I can’t wait to see what they make next. I’m sure it will be just a entertaining. The film might adhere to more of a Mainstream blockbuster crowd but it has a independent heart. It just needs to be discovered by more people and it’s virtues spread to build a bigger audience. GRADE: B