DRUNKBOAT

By
AndersonTroy
– October 23, 2012Posted in: D

THE PLOT THUS FAR

A coming-of-age film based on writer/director, Bob Meyer’s life in Chicago. DRUNKBOAT tells the story of a young teenager, Abe (Jacob Zachar) who manipulates the unsuspecting help of his alcoholic uncle (John Malkovich) to buy a boat from a con man named Mr. Fletcher (John Goodman) when his mother Eileen (Dana Delany) is out of town. The story resonates with the struggle of Uncle Mort, making the story much deeper than a simple tale of a boy and his boat. Both the uncle and Abe come of age in the story. Based on Bob Meyer’s original play.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

John Goodman and John Malkovich work really well together. However, I can’t call “Drunkboat” a good movie. Jacob Zachar gets a lot of the heavy lifting put onto him and he tries his hardest to make it all work. What happens is that he gets blown off the screen everytime Malkovich and Goodman show up. While that makes for an uneven movie, there is magic to be found in the moments. While not a full narrative, it’s an amazing highlight reel.

While I’ve seen many coming-of-age movies, you very rarely see one full of quiet moments. John Malkovich made a name for himself starring in “The Glass Menagerie” and there’s something to be said for comparisons. Obsessions among younger people and how easily lovesick women can be swayed are traditional character beats. However, we grow past that as the film progresses. While it is a film about betrayal, it also focuses on the deep sadness that allows it to happen.

The DVD comes with a trailer as its sole special feature. The A/V Quality is pretty strong for a low budget drama. However, I found that the transfer was plague with minimal digital noise. It’s not the worst and it’s not the best. However, it won’t ruin your enjoyment of the movie. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase for quiet drama fans.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

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