GRAVY (2015)

Directed By: James Roday 
Written By: James Roday & Todd Harthan 
Cinematography By: Amanda Treyz 
Editor: Abe Levy 


Cast: Michael Weston, Sutton Foster, Jimmi Simpson, Gabourey Sidibie, Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Silveraman, Lily Cole, Molly Ephriam, Gabriel Luna, James Roday, Dule Hill


It's All Hallow's Eve. A trio of costumed misfits with very special dietary requirements seizes a Mexican cantina and force the staff to engage in a late night of gaming, food and libations. The only caveat is what's on the menu.

Written and directed by actor James Roday from the television show PSYCH. Who shows up in a cameo with his co-star form the show Dule Hill. The film showcases the same kind of humor the television show does only more macabre. It is obvious he is a fan of the genre. Here he goes about showing it in a more comedic way.

Everything about the film is over the top, the characters, the acting, the humor, the violence, the gore.

Leaving the film to be enjoyable as it had a goody charm, but lacks several elements to make it live up to it's promise.

The only thing that is a surprise is that the killers while being psychopaths do it more as they are cannibals. Even if never explained how they came this way by choice or need.

The film feels more like a side project achieving most that it sets forth to do and knows it's limitations and exactly what it wants to be. So it is more a film of entertainment than one of thoughts.

The cast is full of recognizable names and faces. They are all fun and give their all. I just wish they had a better film to be in. As half of the time the film feels like filler to get to the next scene. As the characters themselves are fun but half of the time are given little to do.

Though it does show the power of their performances and how they are written that as they are killed you do generally feel something. Definitely sorry to see them go.

Though as usual Michael Weston and Jimmi Simpson go above and beyond on their roles. They clearly have a chemistry and are both having fun in the film. That makes the energy they give off Infectious to the viewer So that while the film moves along, half of the time nothing really happens.

The film is predictable for the most part. Only lending itself to how grim it ends up being. The violence is meant to be funny at times but still comes off rather strong and disturbing.

What is more interesting is how he got so many recognizable actors to appear in this film. Some in merely cameos.

I would say approach his film with caution as it is more comedy then horror but is very violent. It also seems like a film more for horror fans then it is for general audiences or the occasional fan. Then again the film doesn't necessarily offer any inside jokes or superior knowledge.


Grade: C-