HAM ON RYE (2021)

Directed By: Tyler Taormina Written By: Tyler Taormina & Eric Berger Cinematography: Carson Lund Editor: Kevin Anton

Cast: Haley Bodell, Audrey Boos, Sam Hernandez, Gabriella Herrera, Adam Torres, Lori Beth Denberg, Danny Tamberelli, Aaron Schwartz, Dan Jablons

A bizarre rite of passage at the local deli determines the fate of a generation of teenagers, leading some to escape their suburban town and dooming others to remain.

This is a strange little movie that is a gem. As with anything strange and at times spare. Not to mention otherworldly seeming this can be seen as inspired by David Lynch 

As it starts off like a young teen dazed and confused with an ensemble. Though as the film goes Along it gets stranger. Like a continuous dream filled with moments that bleed into one another in a perfect symphony

As at first, it seems like a hang-out movie before it becomes more of a mystery. That has plenty of little moments and detail that make it feel both awkward, yet believable and offers up some kind of fantasy. Even though there is no magic seen. The film feels magical in its own way. Even if there is no real trick to it.

As these kids seem to be going to a party that is a kind of party with a full lunch and dancing. Where a party game that seems like an almost spin the bottle where the kids pair off and go off 

Until it reaches a peak halfway through and after that the film pretty much deals with the aftermath. As it showcases how it affects the adults and other kids.

A third of the film feels familiar before slowly going off the rails into the weird where you wonder if it is going to just be an unorthodox view of the world through teenage eyes on the verge of adulthood that is hilarious and alienating 

As the film Goes from Light to dark at the midway point. That feels like a deep look I to suburbia and rites of passage before the second half where the film seems to explore loneliness of characters who seem trapped and disappointed as they come off as rejected and stuck there in the humdrum. 

The film comes across as timeless as its style and fashions are of the past but shows some modern technology and inventions of over the years

By the end, nothing is fully explained but it is open to interpretation. You could look at it as those who weren’t part of that passage of growing up 

Sort of being left behind and feeling a certain alienation as the others around them their friends have gone forth without them. Coupled up in a way and now they are alone. Like they are stuck in their youth. While others have gone off wherever but to something new and far away

It seems like the adults might also be either in Arrested development as they knew they were going and now don't know what to do with themselves or that maybe they themselves are among those who never moved on and are stuck. Which would explain why they seem so much down in despair.

Even the other kid who is left behind. His mother took him to eat looks embarrassed as others look at her and him. Then she kind of abandons him. It can be seen as when parents realize that their child might not be popular or who they want them To be are embarrassed and here it is more physically abandoning rather than emotionally and spiritually. 

As at the end the girl left behind is looking. At the next generation of kids enjoying themselves. Not knowing what is coming in the future so enjoy themselves while they can. 

One of the joys of the film is a scene of the adults sitting around sad and then seeing cameos from Nickelodeon kid actors of the past cameoing. As the film already feels like a demented fairy tale taking place in the THE ADVENTURES OF PETE AND PETE episode universe.

Though through it all it seems like there is mroe going on beneath the surface, it keeps you captivated.

Grade: B+