Plastic Utopia

The Zellner's create a consistently beautiful and strange world of absurdist comedy. An important film in its own right, its unconventional "hero", a mime, seeks to maraud all the cute little people of his world and show them just how ugly it can be. I have never seen another film like this.

By no means is it heavy-handed or consciously arty, either. Plot is taken very seriously, which lends itself well to the madcap characters and garish surroundings. The first 15 minutes of the film acquaint you to the freakish logic and humor of this world.

As the movie opens, James (the mime) is a wreck because no one appreciates his violent and nihilistic mime performances. Because he's so bitter and seeks release from the shallow world, Frank (his outlaw companion), offers to take him into a world of crime. From here on out, the comedy of failure settles in as James tries to accommodate himself to Franks world of trashy women, casual violence, and putt-putt golf.

Working on a stiff low-budget, the film shows a lot of creative promise and talent. Very unique. The Zellner's get props for charting new territory. Only something like this could come from their heads. Damn funny film, too.