Sword of Trust

Hre we have one of those indie comedies that people love to rave about. You know, the ones that elicit comments like “hilarious” or “delightful” or “riotous.” Except really, those types of movies are never really any of that; they’re usually just mildly amusing, if that. So it is here. That’s not to say this is a bad film; that would unfairly besmirch the late Lynn Shelton’s effort as writer and director. This film does keep the viewer engaged and it has at least a few laugh out loud moments. Marc Maron has a naturalness in his performance as Mel the pawn broker, while the rest of the cast fill out the roster with the usual quirky characters who always populate these kinds of movies. And there, again, we get back to the original point: all of this feels very familiar to anyone who has watched this kind of indie flick before. Even some of the shots that Shelton presents throughout the movie show a familiar sensibility that is a hallmark of indie cinema. So we’re not talking about a moviemaking milestone here—just an oddball slice of unusual life comedy that’s watchable but not overly exciting. Yeah, you can hold the “hilarious”; “mildly amusing” seems just about right. Trust me.

Fist Fight

How weird that somebody actually thought this was a good idea. Hell, maybe it would have been with a different cast of comedians--people who bring some of the funny with them wherever they go. Only Tracy Morgan qualifies as that here, and even his contribution is somewhat hampered and muted. The biggest problem seems to be lead Charlie Day, who just doesn't have the funny chops to serve as the Everyman who is imposed upon and make it work--all of this is just wearying. Plus, the overarching idea--that American high schools are out-of-control jungles where anything can happen, including insanity and violence--just isn't funny in and of itself. Either satirize--which requires some subtlety--or make it slapstick--which requires something violent, but paradoxically gentle and innocent. None of that lives here. The few laughs mostly show up towards the end; otherwise, watching this one is a chore. Everybody gets detention.