|
Humpday
Things are going well for settled city
planner Ben (Mark Duplass). As he approaches 30 his life checks all the
middle class boxes: devoted wife (Alycia Delmore), cosy house in the
suburbs, plans to start a brood. That all changes abruptly, however,
following the sudden appearance of former college buddy Andrew (Blair
Witch Project’s Joshua Leonard), a bohemian artist who travels the
world without ties or responsibility.
One night at a hippie party where both
conversation and intoxicants flow freely, an idea is proposed for a
genre-bending art project – what if two straight guys videotaped
themselves having sex? It would transcend the boundaries of pornography
and preconceptions of sexual identity, and possibly blow a few minds in
the process. The two ideal candidates, of course, are Ben and Andrew,
and in their stoned and drunken state they are both wildly excited, if a
little apprehensive, about the potentially groundbreaking nature of the
concept.
Fast forward to the next morning, and after
several awkward conversations neither party is keen to be the one to
back down. Ben is tentatively convinced his wife will understand that
the idea transcends the boundaries of marital fidelity, and Andrew,
hiding behind an air of sang froid worldliness, isn’t quite as
confident as he appears either.
Essentially You, Me & Dupree meets
Shortbus, Humpday is a thoughtful, subtly nuanced feature
that ultimately combines the best elements of both with plenty of its
own unique flair. Though the dialogue is entirely improvised it never
feels forced, and the tension is tempered with plenty of irreverence,
lending an air of levity to a concept that could have become mired, as
Andrew might say, in its own gravitas.
Some critics commented that the central
premise constituted a kind of backhanded homophobia. I would strongly
dispute this contention; the film isn’t suggesting there’s anything
inherently deviant or distasteful about the act of gay sex, simply that,
when challenged, our sexual identities aren’t always as fluid a notion
as we might think.
At any rate this is thoughtful indie improv
at its finest, and strongly recommended for fans of the ‘mumblecore’
movement or artful independent filmmaking in general. The local release
is also a strong one; in addition to eight deleted scenes and five
minutes of BTS footage are two highly entertaining audio commentaries
with all the principal cast and creatives, all the more reason to check
out this funny, spirited and entertaining offering.
Audio & Video
Given its fairly modest budget, Humpday
has a down to earth, DIY method of execution which entirely suits
its subject matter. The use of intimate shooting angles, static shots,
close ups and a maximum of two cameras per scene ensure the viewer
successfully engages with the characters from the outset, feeling more a
participant than a detached observer. Though a little dark in places
the transfer is mostly strong, and as clear and artefact-free as you’d
expect from a feature shot on digital. The principal audio is in 5.1
surround, and features a tuneful, multifaceted soundtrack from talented
sound engineer Vinny Smith.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary with Director Lynn
Shelton, actress Alycia Delmore, Director of Photography Benjamin
Kasulke, Sound Engineer Vinny Smith and Production Designer Jasminka
Vukcevic
- Audio Commentary with actors Mark Duplass
and Joshua Leonard
- Deleted Scenes
- Behind the Scenes footage
- Theatrical Trailer
- Madman Trailers
|
