Chillicothe comes across as the product of a young filmmaker with too many good ideas who wants to spend them all at once-- the result is an interesting but uneven new chapter in the slacker canon, a kind of bildungsroman that has its own voice while borrowing heavily from those who have come before (Kevin Smith, Richard Linklater, et al).
I must admit, however, Chillicothe is charming, buoyed by a likeable cast, excellent production values (for an independent film), and a clever script from writer/director Todd Edwards, who also plays one of the film's central characters. "Write what you know," many English teachers have admonished me, and Edwards has taken this advice to heart, crafting a coming-of-age story for the post-university set that's as sharp and real as it could be. Edwards shows himself to have a keen eye for comic pacing and dramatic irony, but unfortunately he seems to need a little help with organization and pacing, because the film suffers from editing that could only be called schizophrenic. One moment, it looks like a typical Gen X comedy, the next it might be more like a music video or documentary. It seems almost like Edwards is using the film as a demo reel to sell his ability to a major studio, which is fine I suppose but his vision suffers because of it.
Poor organization aside, I can heartily recommend this movie to friends and stangers alike who can't get enough slackin', and anybody else looking for a sharp, mildly edgy laugh. Good job, Todd.
I must admit, however, Chillicothe is charming, buoyed by a likeable cast, excellent production values (for an independent film), and a clever script from writer/director Todd Edwards, who also plays one of the film's central characters. "Write what you know," many English teachers have admonished me, and Edwards has taken this advice to heart, crafting a coming-of-age story for the post-university set that's as sharp and real as it could be. Edwards shows himself to have a keen eye for comic pacing and dramatic irony, but unfortunately he seems to need a little help with organization and pacing, because the film suffers from editing that could only be called schizophrenic. One moment, it looks like a typical Gen X comedy, the next it might be more like a music video or documentary. It seems almost like Edwards is using the film as a demo reel to sell his ability to a major studio, which is fine I suppose but his vision suffers because of it.
Poor organization aside, I can heartily recommend this movie to friends and stangers alike who can't get enough slackin', and anybody else looking for a sharp, mildly edgy laugh. Good job, Todd.