THE BIRTHDAY (2004)

 

Directed By: Eugenio Mira

Written By: Eugenio Mira and Mikel Alvarino

Cinematography: Unax Mendia

Editor: Alejo Lewis 

Cast: Corey Feldman, Erica Prior, Jack Taylor, Dale Douma, Liz Lobato, Jim Arnold, Sue Flack, Colin Morgan

Norman, a young man very much in love with his girlfriend, attends her father's birthday party, held in a hotel where a sect happens to be preparing for the birth of the god it worships.

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Jordan Peele recently resurrected this film from its straight to video origins, and it’s almost nearly forgotten existence after being lucky enough, and should be made aware of this film and view it by star Corey Feldman

Mr. Peele was blown away by the film so much and that he included it in a program series of films, he showed a film festival audience for draft House films to find it and restore it print and now released bigger and further than it ever did before, allowing for an audience, it never had and it should’ve had before especially as it was never theatrically released officially

So even behind-the-scenes, it has a miraculous story of building up an audience over the years and getting noticed as the film does certainly feel worth it even if by the end and it’s obscurity that doesn’t force the audience and audience actually think while watching it

Didn’t realize it was from the writer, Director of GRAND PIANO, Eugenio Mira. the movie at the time that totally didn’t live up to the hype, but there was something one could admire in it

That is the same thing I feel about the birthday or as I appreciate how it builds where at any point you could go anyway at first it’s more just an uncomfortable awkward comedy with Corey Feldman doing a voice, but his performance grows on you as does the movie with its oddball of characters that you can tell something is going on behind the scenes that you can’t , necessarily tell what’s going on, but you can feel. As the film has an undeniable style to it. 

Where this is the film goes along you are just happy for the main character played by Corey Feldman as he seems to go through different side adventures and trials, even if he comes across as more and more weak compared to what he is trying to achieve. 

Just like many of the supporting characters at first, he seems handled with a broad stroke before you finally start to get to learn things about him 

As the film goes along, and it seems to get crazier and crazier, more ridiculous, and a conspiracy plot thrown in the film as well where at first you are wondering if this is true and real, or just a misguided attempt by outsiders against the rich in a class struggle as the new challenge the for the main character it unfortunately looks like, What at first he dismissed as ideas of a mad person might actually be true.

As in the film he has to make certain decisions and sacrifices. Which we have seen him fumble earlier in the film, earlier but now must take action or make decisions for the fate of the future.

The film and the actors keep you invested as well as even though you can tell the film is low budgeted. It’s a tight production that makes it feel like it’s a film double or even triple budget has originality and imagination that it keeps you interested throughout I wish I could say it’s a slam dunk and one enjoys it as much as for the hype of its recovery.

I can’t say that I quite swallowed the Kool-Aid, but it wasn’t a bad drink. It didn’t necessarily grow on me. It’s a film that deserves to be seen and it certainly has found its audience. It’s not quite a classic, but it’s entertaining if you give it a chance. 

This will not be a film for everyone is a cult film, where I believe there is an audience that will appreciate it as strangely matching the suit that Corey Feldman wears. It feels more like a lounge act more than an up-and-coming stand from many will think about it, but it doesn’t quite rise to necessarily be a classic 

I’m not trying to badmouth the film nor am I saying it’s then but feel more like it’s in the middle of the road. There are plenty of things to admire about it, but there are certain things not quite as enjoyable or that hold it back from its own greatness

One can appreciate the time it takes to constantly keep building for the audience, though on the other hand, there’s also a sense that it doesn’t need to be as long as it is 

It’s a dark comedy at heart that grows on you as it has its own personality and a certainly an oddity that doesn’t try to reach too far. So definitely a film you can appreciate by it’s merits 

Grade: B-