REVIEWS FOR INDEPENDENT FILM, LOW BUDGET FILM, SHORT FILM & WEB SERIES
|
I remember clubbing back in the day. Getting all dressed up and having a few drinks with friends, before hitting the clubs. Taking a few deep breaths in an attempt to harness some courage, to go along with the liquid courage I was consuming, then heading out with high hopes and few cares. The goal was universal, for both my guy and girl friends. Have some fun. Meet some people and maybe, just maybe... bring someone home. That sounds kind of sleazy to write, but the idea of "bringing someone home" was not only the icing on my cake, but on my friends as well. It didn't matter our gender. We were all looking for something. I met my wife clubbing and although I'm aging myself by saying, and we met quite young, my wife of sixteen years now.
Yet times were different then. At least... that's what I tell myself. Sure. There has always been that douche bag and their friends. I'll even shamefully admit that at times, I envied those pricks who always managed to take home a new girl every night. I would usually chalk it up to good guys finishing last... but I don't remember things ever being how they are now days. I fear for my daughter when she hits "that" phase in her life. The world has become a more dangerous place. Today those "guys" who feel like everyone owes them something, don't even have to practice their douche-y tactics and suave appearance. Today they resort to chemicals and such... and literally steal what they want. Maybe it's always been that way and only recently people have taken notice. That's a debate for people smarter than myself but to me... it's feels like it's only getting worse. Perhaps that's the reason "Club Rat$" was so successful, and satisfying to watch. Seeing some of the real monsters of the world get what they deserve... and from their potential victims at that. Could a cooler premise for a film exist? We all love a good vigilante story. Nothing says fun more than the bad guy(s) getting what they deserve, especially when it's their prey that dishes out the justice. In the case of this film? It's four sly woman who stalk the clubs looking for targets. Assholes of the world beware. "Club Rat$" is not a far jump from the fictional world to the real one. I can easily picture abused woman actually doing this kind of thing, maybe even with a worse outcome than portrayed in this movie. I'll also clearly state that watching this movie was fun - yet also scary.
Vigilante justice is a double edged sword. In this film, our leading ladies are completely sure of the intentions of their target. They know exactly what's in store for them - had they not been paying close attention. The question then becomes one of line crossing. If this were real life, how long until waiting for that "dead giveaway" would not be enough? Maybe these crusaders, at some point, would simply start targeting people simply because they looked like scumbags? Or, maybe we should consider these ladies are actually "looking" for their next victim. At what point do they then transform into the bad guys themselves? This is one of the many reasons vigilante justice is frowned upon. Right? It's also one of the reasons this short film is so compelling. Those hard to ask, or answer, questions. As for Jamie Miller and Danene Montella's film itself? Simply put? They've written a great piece. Of that there is no question. Our assholes are clearly marked and labelled, as our heroes take care of business. I can only imagine the embarrassment of the would-be rapists the next day... and it brings a smile to my face. It would every time. On a technical level, "Club Rat$" manages to keep things pumpin' and gritty. There's an excellent polish to this short film that visually, was really eye catching. The audio was great - both dialog and soundtrack, and these four ladies really knew how to bring these characters to life. Hints of inner pain, outer strength, and even uncertainty are all accounted for by the great cast. The short and sweet of it? Jeni Jones has directed a quick hitting film delivering a little comedy... and a lot to think about. "Club Rat$" is free to watch! There's really no excuse not to check out this flick when you have ten or so minutes to spare. A well earned four stars in my books... unless you're a douche bag. |
