FILM INFO: Raucous Aussie backpackers have taken over Julia's apartment and won't let the party end. Can she find a way to get them all out before her fiancé returns home from his business trip?
WRITTEN BY: Andrew Lawton DIRECTED BY: Andrew Lawton GENRE: Comedy TIME: 19 minutes
There seems to be something great about the films coming from writer/director Andrew Lawton. Aside from being top notch productions quality-wise, they're also pretty damn funny. This particular short film, "Couch Surfer" is one such flick. I may be a little bias, simply because it reminds me of comedies from yesteryear, but man oh man this was a blast to watch. We've all had those times, or maybe it's better to say... parties, that are fun at first but the next day, you just want your "guests" off the couch and gone. Now, try and picture some newly met friends who are a blast on the first night, and maybe even the second, but then they simply won't leave. Now let's make things a little more interesting and have your guests multiply day after day. That is the basic concept behind "Couch Surfer" and it works really well. If you happen to be a fan of 90's era comedy a-la "American Pie" and others like it, you're going to love this short film. Written and executed with a definite flare for funny, Andrew Lawton delivers another excellent production. The technicalities here are not even worth writing of. Visuals and sound, along with the editing and color are all top notch. Expect this film to look independent? Think again. I tried to find something to bitch about and came up with a blank page. Production wise, "Couch Surfer" plays like any other movie or show you'll probably see today. Nicely. However, the real stars here are the cast. They have taken the gags off the white page and brought them to life darn near perfectly. Tali Custer leads the charge with a splendid performance, getting roped into the party and regretting it, yet not wanting to be the bad guy...err... girl. However, let's not give her all the credit. The seemingly all Aussie cast showcase the never ending party in a truly funny, yet believable way. Take the bunch of excellent actors and pair them with a joke a minute script; you've got comedy gold. My two favorite scenes involved a subtitled translation gag, and an exorcism of sorts to rid the apartment of all the party goers. That's not to say I didn't laugh through the rest of the film, just that those two scenes stood out for me. It's safe to say that for me, "Couch Surfer" is one of the best comedy indie flicks I've seen this year. A true triumph for the cast and crew, reminding me just how far indie film has come over the last few years. Simply put, this is a fun film. The absurd parody of a common situation make the gags that much more humorous. The slight poke at culture, good writing, and the ability for the viewer to relate are an excellent combination. The great production values keep you paying attention to the film itself, and not looking for any technical jokes. Some may think I'm being way to generous with my thoughts, but for me, who grew up watching comedies from a few decades ago, this was not only funny... but also a pleasant trip down memory lane. Even so, I find it hard to believe that anyone could "not" laugh more than a few times while watching. "Couch Surfer" is just one of those films that are easy to love. Fun and entertaining. The best part? It knows when it's time to call it quits.
