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The opening night spot at Sundance has become more of a curse than a blessing, with many films being forgotten after just one night. Examples include The Pod Generation, After the Wedding, Sometimes I Think About Dying, and the sequel to An Inconvenient Truth. This year’s offering, Freaky Tales, is confident in its ability to make a lasting impression and stands out as an unforgettable experience.
The movie starts with a voiceover and text that build up the excitement for what’s to come, claiming it will be a thrilling experience. However, this promise had already been made earlier and was enthusiastically presented as something that could potentially blow people’s minds. The creators of the film, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, may believe they have crafted a new cult classic, but it’s difficult to share in their excitement. Their insistence that this movie is quotable, rewatchable, and lovable is met with eye-rolling exhaustion. Despite Boden and Fleck’s boldness, Freaky Tales falls short and is merely a mishmash of ideas that have been done before and done better. It feels like a subpar version of a Tarantino fan’s attempt to connect various stories, fitting more in the late 90s when aspiring indie filmmakers were trying to imitate their newfound idol.
The story takes us back to 1987 in the lively yet tense city of Oakland, California. We learn about a glowing green substance with unusual effects on those who come across it. We see punk rebels fighting against Nazis (led by Jack Champion from Scream 7 and newcomer Ji-young Yoo from Expats), two female rappers competing in a rap battle (a debut for Normani and Dominique Thorne from Wakanda Forever, who stands out), a killer for hire taking on his superiors (played by the popular Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn, who unfortunately goes overboard), and an NBA star facing off against the criminals who threaten his life (played by Jay Ellis from Insecure). Each story is presented as a separate titled tale, but they often intertwine through the theme of the underdog. However, what should be a satisfying victory against skinheads, racists, misogynists, homophobes, and killers is hindered by Boden and Fleck’s failure to give us a strong resolution. The battles, whether through words or actions, fall flat; they are rushed and poorly developed, involving characters we barely know doing something we have little investment in. Instead of cheers, we are left with shrugs.
Boden and Fleck debuted at Sundance in 2006 with the impactful and convincing movie Half Nelson starring Ryan Gosling. However, their career has taken an odd turn since then. They have had some successes, such as the touching baseball story Sugar, but more recently they have also had some disappointments, like the unremarkable Captain Marvel. On the surface, Freaky Tales may seem like a reaction to the unfulfilling grind of working within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is clear that this film holds personal significance for the duo, but it ultimately becomes a self-absorbed passion project that somehow ended up on the big screen. Their fondness for the time period is displayed through a series of lists, constantly naming 80s films just for the sake of it. This reaches its lowest point in an awkward scene at a video store, featuring a strange cameo from a famous actor reciting a list of the best underdog movies of all time. The same can be said for the music, which is heavily used to evoke a sense of nostalgia, often to the point of overindulgence. This encourages viewers to point at the screen and exclaim “I know that too!”, as if simply recognizing something is enough.
The film’s plot is haphazardly put together, with a sense of self-satisfaction. It feels like a mystery box, prioritizing the appearance rather than the substance (coupled with a double-feature with Saltburn!). There is an excessive use of unnecessary visual tricks (such as an animated baseball scene, aspect ratio changes, and doodles representing inner thoughts), but overall the film is well-crafted and showcases the filmmakers’ growth in commercial success after their work with Marvel. The final bloody scene is well-executed, but feels too much like a parody to leave a lasting impact. Similar to the rest of the film, it seems to be inspired by a graphic novel, making it an odd companion piece to Captain Marvel. Perhaps it was their way of having fun on their own terms after their experience with that project. However, for a film that aims to be enjoyable above all else, it ultimately becomes a strange and cumbersome viewing experience. While the filmmakers may have had a great time making it, it’s a shame that the audience couldn’t share in the fun.
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The film “Freaky Tales” will be featured at the Sundance film festival and is currently searching for a distributor.
Source: theguardian.com
