Assholes is a 2017 independent film directed by Peter Vack, starring Betsey Brown, Patrick Labella, and Jack Dunphy. The movie follows a couple, Adah and Aaron, who are siblings as they attempt to reconnect with the world after a history of drug addiction and incest. The story is presented with a surreal quality that continuously pushes the boundaries of social acceptability.
The opening scene introduces the viewers to the strange and dynamic Adah and Aaron, who are deeply troubled characters. They are seen sniffing a drug called "butt hash" in their apartment when they accidentally insert the substance into their rectums. Instantly, they experience a high that initiates a series of erratic and absurd behavior. From this scene until the end of the movie, the audience is taken on a strange journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Adah and Aaron's story is a twisted fairytale. After the accidental ingestion of the strange drug, they embark on a mission to heal themselves from the trauma of their past encounters, including sexual addiction and drug abuse. In their pursuits, viewers see them encounter several characters, all of whom seem to be as messed up as they are. These characters include a dentist who is sexually aroused by decayed teeth and a gynecologist who is infatuated with his patients' labia.
As the plot of the movie progresses, viewers are taken on a series of strange and often offensive experiences. The film portrays reality through a surreal, hallucinogenic lens that is both humorous and offensive at the same time. For example, they attend a therapy session where they are pushing the boundaries of social convention with their crazy behaviors. In another instance, the siblings attend a party where the main theme is nudity, drugs, and casual sex. They indulge in the party, which sets in motion an intense chain of events.
It is noteworthy that the film has several shades of black comedy that make the story highly evocative. The inclusion of characters with odd and strange personality quirks highlights the inner demons that every human carries. The strange characters they encounter and the messed-up events they participate in the film explain the characters' trauma and unusual behaviors. This black comedy aspect is highly distinctive and daring, making the story both refreshing and irresistible to watch.
The cinematography of the movie is significant in its own right. The film explores unconventional angles and rapidly fluctuating lens sizes, creating a sense of confusion and disorientation in the viewers. The mystical and supernatural connotations are conveyed through the color-based grading, off-beat camera angles, and use of shapes and forms. This technique creates a narrative that calls for the viewers' intense engagement to properly decode the story.
It is noteworthy that the film does not shy away from tackling themes about the human condition. The story intensely explores issues of addiction, incest, sexual abuse, drug addiction. The use of characters that are flawed leads viewers into thinking about human psychology, morality, and redemption. The filmmakers endeavor to ask questions and provide answers to matters that are often plagued with secrecy and shame.
The characters' performances in the story are intense and gripping. The strength of the characters is in the depth of the portrayals, where emotions are palpable and vividly captured. Adah and Aaron are an impressive duo, and their portrayal captures the essence of vulnerability and strength with a dose of raw brutality. Despite the difficult subject matter they tackle, the compelling performances add interest to the story, marking the film as an excellent indie movie to watch.
Overall, Assholes, directed by Peter Vack, is a striking and exceptionally well-executed film. The story explores the darker aspects of humanity, from addiction to sexual desires, but with a black comedic twist. The cinematography is excellent, and the performances are strong, elevating the story to a whole new level. The movie is not for the faint-hearted, but for those that appreciate cinematic genius, it is a must-watch.
Assholes is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.9 and a MetaScore of 17.