Sunday, May 16, 2010

Who is the LUCKY BASTARD?


My favorite professor in Film School was a tall, lanky, long-haired, acute young teacher and filmmaker named Everette Lewis. Yesterday I watched Everette's new film Lucky Bastard. It was very entertaining. The characters were a bit twisted but this characterization seems to be the returning theme to Everette's films and characters.

Lucky Bastard is the story of a young, cute, successful architect named Rusty (Patrick Tatten) who meets a mysterious drifter Denny played brilliantly by a sexy and damaged boy-next-door (Dale Dymkoski). After a chance meeting at a convenience store as Rusty searches for a bottle of wine - which Denny eventually locates and selects for Rusty, Rusty and Denny are coupled up after a little tryst in the restroom.

Denny opens Rusty up to a strange new world - shortly after Rust's boyfriend leaves town. Denny is immediately likable and not because of his biceps and low hanging designer jeans. With ease, Denny is able to say all of those little bedroom low light naughty things that most could barely emote in a whisper and his ability to be honest about his deepest emotional issues is so unhumanlike that before he can allow Rusty to response he cuts it all off. His construction ends - no more bricks or glass. Rusty is swept up and into a whirlwind and wants to love and renovate Denny and ultimately himself. In the end, we really can only help ourselves beyond cash, gifts, trips and kisses we present to others.

Lucky Bastard is a wonderful addition to the LA indie film genre as Everette's color palette is one where Los Angeles has been placed under a very light gray filter - all the harshness is there but a little less severe.

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