Quirky and unexpected are probably the best ways to describe this film. Lisa Kudrow is actually pretty convincing as the burned-out army wife and gives a pretty solid performance throughout. Mainly I was impressed at the subtlety of her acting, which was refreshing after seeing some of her other characters (the smelly-cat-singing Phoebe will always be a lingering specter for Kudrow). Scott Prendergast captured the socially-inept, guy-that-never-got-his-act-together-after-high-school character pretty well and manages to drive the story with very little actual dialogue, emotion or expression, which is kind of the point of his character. His performance was actually pretty refreshing. I think the writer/director did a good job of portraying the embellished strangeness of small town middle America without ripping off Napoleon Dynamite. The ending was well done and the soundtrack is really good and kind of makes the movie come together.
39 Reviews
Very quirky low budget comedy
Alberto-72 September 2007
This is a very amusing fish out of water story with the director playing the lead role. In a nutshell, the story concerns a woman(Lisa Kudrow)desperate for some help taking care of her kids while her husband is off fighting in Irak. She has to go back to work but cannot afford daycare for her two "monsters".Cue the husband's loser brother who has nowhere to go,no money and no idea how to take care of himself, let alone two pre-school kids. He eventually gets a job wearing a ridiculous blue suit and handing out fliers in the middle of a highway to promote an Internet company( check out the poster to see this thing). Pendergast, making his first feature, reminds me very much of Woody Allen, in his early days. He is excellent at finding the humor in an ordinary situation and does not resort to cheap laughs. In many cases we see just the result of a situation and can pretty much tell what has happened just from surveying the damage. A perfect example is his first day of babysitting. All we see is the mother leaving for work and then arriving later to find him and the two kids fast asleep on the living room floor with fruit loops everywhere(and I mean everywhere), the TV blasting and generally everything in disorder. He could have shown us moments from his day but this is so much better because as we survey the disaster zone, we can just imagine what kind of a day he has had. Lisa Kudrow gets top billing and is OK in her limited role as the harried mother who is desperate for her husband to return and just does not know what to do. Christine Taylor and Terri Garr both put in what are essentially cameos but to good effect. The two kids are never cute or coy and this helps make them much more human. They do not like this uncle who has appeared out of nowhere but a bond does eventually form with him. A lot of the humor comes from the blue suit and the character's difficulty in doing such simple things as handing out fliers or drinking while wearing it. Pendergast is excellent as the out-of-his-element Salman, whose name everyone mispronounces. The rest of the cast is very good with a special mention to Conchata Ferrell as the HR person who hires Penedergast. I saw this film at the Montreal Film Festival with the director present and the audience really responded well. I hope this film gets a major distribution deal. Penedergast is a director with a lot of potential. I give this film 8 blue suits out of 10.
Beautiful
harishprakashhp20 September 2008
Lisa Kudrow of friends fame is the reason why I saw this movie. I liked the tag line"every family has a black sheep, this one is blue"
I loved it from the start. In between I had my eyes in tears both the laughs and touchy scenes.
Being a single parent with two children to take care of, is really a handful for Leslie(Lisa). Things don't get any better with the children's slightly retarted Uncle(Leslie's brother-in-law Salman) is assigned to take care of them. He baby sits them in fear of even being threatened to be killed by his eldest niece.
Salman also gets a job to make his ends meet and so the blue outfit promoting real estate space. This is the best part, bringing laughs and tears.
In times of the Iraq-America WAR, Salman(essayed brilliantly by the Director Scoot Prendergast) understand what his family is going through. In his own way he sets things right for the Children, their MOM and ultimately finds himself.
The passing non-important characters bring so much substance to the movie. I loved the part where he finds complete change in his fellow passengers, in the bus he travels to work. That sets the mode for the Black/blue sheep to turn to a hero in the climax.
Nope, it isn't a perfect movie. It completely relies on the 'Feel Good Factor' of the viewers. But yes, it has an inspiring quality that makes it beautiful and a must watch.
Note: Lisa Kudrow wasn't Phebe Buffe, but I think she's great in any kind of role.
I loved it from the start. In between I had my eyes in tears both the laughs and touchy scenes.
Being a single parent with two children to take care of, is really a handful for Leslie(Lisa). Things don't get any better with the children's slightly retarted Uncle(Leslie's brother-in-law Salman) is assigned to take care of them. He baby sits them in fear of even being threatened to be killed by his eldest niece.
Salman also gets a job to make his ends meet and so the blue outfit promoting real estate space. This is the best part, bringing laughs and tears.
In times of the Iraq-America WAR, Salman(essayed brilliantly by the Director Scoot Prendergast) understand what his family is going through. In his own way he sets things right for the Children, their MOM and ultimately finds himself.
The passing non-important characters bring so much substance to the movie. I loved the part where he finds complete change in his fellow passengers, in the bus he travels to work. That sets the mode for the Black/blue sheep to turn to a hero in the climax.
Nope, it isn't a perfect movie. It completely relies on the 'Feel Good Factor' of the viewers. But yes, it has an inspiring quality that makes it beautiful and a must watch.
Note: Lisa Kudrow wasn't Phebe Buffe, but I think she's great in any kind of role.
A strong, little comedy filled with a lot of heart. One of 2008's best
Red_Identity13 September 2008
I saw Kabluey, and after hearing many good things about it, I have to say it probably is one of 2008's best surprises.
Technically, it is from 2007, but it came out this year. It is a very genuine little independent comedy with a lot of heart. There are a lot of films like that out there, but this one stands out. The screenplay is very well written. It has a lot of laugh-out-loud laughs, and some laughs that you wonder how much they make sense with the story. It has some flaws, but overall, it has great developed characters, characters that sometimes may not always be likable. It is a story about how a mother's brother-in-law has to help her raise her kids, and also raise some money, since her husband is at war in Iraq. Throughout this story, we see a lot of events that change her and her brother-in-law. It is, overall, a black, sometimes, dark, comedy film. It has a lot of hidden themes about how the war impacts family, and also about loyalty and responsibility. It is sometimes uneven, and sometimes some scenes are too overfilled with humor, but when its good, it's really good.
Part of the reason this film works well is because of the great acting. Scott Prendergast plays his character of the loser brother-in-law Salman very well, and he makes my line-up of Best Actor(but will eventually fall out). But Lisa Kudrow is the one that gives the monumental performance. She has less scenes than Prendergast, but the scenes she has her character is very in depth. She has to give her character of Leslie a lot, real humanity, pain and exhaustion for her kids, and also sort of depressed, stressed, and sometimes even unlikeable. She really reminds me of a lot of real life mothers that get stressed out easily. I have never seen Kudrow like this, it's really a great performance, a subtle one. As of now, she is my Best Actress winner, and I think she might stay in my line-up in the end of the year, if not then top 10 for sure. I think she deserves Oscar Buzz.
Overall, a great little movie. Better than films that really are not always that good(Juno), and just as great as Little Miss Sunshine. I think the Academy should keep this film's screenplay, and Lisa Kudrow, for consideration. For those who have not seen it, please see it, makes a lot of the films this year look bad.
Technically, it is from 2007, but it came out this year. It is a very genuine little independent comedy with a lot of heart. There are a lot of films like that out there, but this one stands out. The screenplay is very well written. It has a lot of laugh-out-loud laughs, and some laughs that you wonder how much they make sense with the story. It has some flaws, but overall, it has great developed characters, characters that sometimes may not always be likable. It is a story about how a mother's brother-in-law has to help her raise her kids, and also raise some money, since her husband is at war in Iraq. Throughout this story, we see a lot of events that change her and her brother-in-law. It is, overall, a black, sometimes, dark, comedy film. It has a lot of hidden themes about how the war impacts family, and also about loyalty and responsibility. It is sometimes uneven, and sometimes some scenes are too overfilled with humor, but when its good, it's really good.
Part of the reason this film works well is because of the great acting. Scott Prendergast plays his character of the loser brother-in-law Salman very well, and he makes my line-up of Best Actor(but will eventually fall out). But Lisa Kudrow is the one that gives the monumental performance. She has less scenes than Prendergast, but the scenes she has her character is very in depth. She has to give her character of Leslie a lot, real humanity, pain and exhaustion for her kids, and also sort of depressed, stressed, and sometimes even unlikeable. She really reminds me of a lot of real life mothers that get stressed out easily. I have never seen Kudrow like this, it's really a great performance, a subtle one. As of now, she is my Best Actress winner, and I think she might stay in my line-up in the end of the year, if not then top 10 for sure. I think she deserves Oscar Buzz.
Overall, a great little movie. Better than films that really are not always that good(Juno), and just as great as Little Miss Sunshine. I think the Academy should keep this film's screenplay, and Lisa Kudrow, for consideration. For those who have not seen it, please see it, makes a lot of the films this year look bad.
This film is like a badly mixed martini. It doesn't taste as good as it should but it'll still get you drunk.
MBunge25 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
When Kabluey is about a guy in a blue mascot costume with a giant blue football for a head, it's wonderfully absurd and charming. When it tries to deal with supposedly real people and their supposedly real problems, it's kind of forced and obvious. A strong performance from Lisa Kudrow, however, keeps the less artful moments of the film from dragging the whole thing down.
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) is a woman with a two-story house in the suburbs, a husband off serving in Iraq and two little boys (Cameron Wofford and Landon Henninger) who are so out of control that Dr. Spock would have beaten them with a belt. Needing to go back to work or her kids will lose their health insurance, Leslie reluctantly calls in Salman (Scott Prendergast), her husband's sad sack loser of a brother. He'll stay and take care of Leslie's juvenile berserkers while she goes back to work at an internet firm devastated by the popping of the tech bubble.
Though Salmon, who confronts life with a blank look on his face, struggles at first as a caretaking uncle, he eventually shows some marginal aptitude for it. As soon as he does, Leslie feels her place as mother threatened and gets Salman a job at her work so he can help pay for daycare. Salman gets stuck in big blue suit that makes him look like a featureless, hydrocephalic Smurf and plopped along the side of the road to hand out fliers for office space in the internet firm's largely empty building.
Being a weird looking blue thing allows Salman to bond with his almost-feral nephews, interact with a sunken-eyed supermarket cashier (Angela Sarafyan), enrage an old woman (Teri Garr), discover that Leslie is having an affair with her boss (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and gain the confidence to act that he's lacked his entire life. The story then ends with one of those "happy, but really not" endings that actually works for this movie.
Every moment that Salman is in costume, Kabluey is funny, clever and visually entrancing. Every moment he's out of costume, Kabluey is just another indy flick trying to find humor in how much life sucks. The normal stuff isn't bad, it's just by the numbers and livened up only by Kudrow's fairly powerful performance in a cramped role and Conchatta Ferrell and Jeffrey Dean Morgan engaging in one of the greatest non-profane screaming matches in cinema history. It's Leslie's struggles with her husband's absence, her fear of being encroached upon as a parent and her adulterous diversion from her own unhappiness that are at the heart of this tale. Her character is missing for too much of the film, though, as it focuses on the shallow and undefined character of Salman. Kabluey is balanced between a character with plenty of depth but not enough exposure and one with plenty of exposure but not enough depth. If it had been about Leslie putting on the hydrocephalic Smurf suit, this movie would have instantly become 100% better.
Writer/director/actor Scott Prendergast created something intelligent, entertaining and even a bit touching. He tried to blend whimsy and ordinary and didn't quite make it, but got close enough to produce a movie that's well worth watching.
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) is a woman with a two-story house in the suburbs, a husband off serving in Iraq and two little boys (Cameron Wofford and Landon Henninger) who are so out of control that Dr. Spock would have beaten them with a belt. Needing to go back to work or her kids will lose their health insurance, Leslie reluctantly calls in Salman (Scott Prendergast), her husband's sad sack loser of a brother. He'll stay and take care of Leslie's juvenile berserkers while she goes back to work at an internet firm devastated by the popping of the tech bubble.
Though Salmon, who confronts life with a blank look on his face, struggles at first as a caretaking uncle, he eventually shows some marginal aptitude for it. As soon as he does, Leslie feels her place as mother threatened and gets Salman a job at her work so he can help pay for daycare. Salman gets stuck in big blue suit that makes him look like a featureless, hydrocephalic Smurf and plopped along the side of the road to hand out fliers for office space in the internet firm's largely empty building.
Being a weird looking blue thing allows Salman to bond with his almost-feral nephews, interact with a sunken-eyed supermarket cashier (Angela Sarafyan), enrage an old woman (Teri Garr), discover that Leslie is having an affair with her boss (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and gain the confidence to act that he's lacked his entire life. The story then ends with one of those "happy, but really not" endings that actually works for this movie.
Every moment that Salman is in costume, Kabluey is funny, clever and visually entrancing. Every moment he's out of costume, Kabluey is just another indy flick trying to find humor in how much life sucks. The normal stuff isn't bad, it's just by the numbers and livened up only by Kudrow's fairly powerful performance in a cramped role and Conchatta Ferrell and Jeffrey Dean Morgan engaging in one of the greatest non-profane screaming matches in cinema history. It's Leslie's struggles with her husband's absence, her fear of being encroached upon as a parent and her adulterous diversion from her own unhappiness that are at the heart of this tale. Her character is missing for too much of the film, though, as it focuses on the shallow and undefined character of Salman. Kabluey is balanced between a character with plenty of depth but not enough exposure and one with plenty of exposure but not enough depth. If it had been about Leslie putting on the hydrocephalic Smurf suit, this movie would have instantly become 100% better.
Writer/director/actor Scott Prendergast created something intelligent, entertaining and even a bit touching. He tried to blend whimsy and ordinary and didn't quite make it, but got close enough to produce a movie that's well worth watching.
The man in the blue monkey suit
jotix10010 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Leslie is a desperate housewife in need of relief. She is stressed out after getting to know her National Guard husband's tour of duty in Iraq has been extended; she has no inkling in how to deal with her two boys, Lincoln and Cameron, two brats that seem hellbent in destroying the house. What to do? Talking to her mother, it is suggested she brings home her brother-in-law, Salman, as in Salman Rushdie, to give her a hand with the house chores. She has to return to work to make ends meet.
Salman is a man that has not amounted to much in his life. His last place of residence was in Nevada, where he did not get a decent job, so going to Austin to help Leslie is perhaps the best news he has been offered in a while. Leslie, an airhead, offers Salman a blanket that has still some vomit to sleep, thinking he might have brought his own bed with him, when he is only doing her the favor! What could be wrong with taking care of his two nephews? Plenty! For starters, Salman and the boys clash. He is an inept person when it comes to do what is expected of him by Leslie. He can not even get the boys to behave. As a solution, he decides to use straps on them whenever he must take them to the stores, eliciting dirty looks from the supermarket cashier and manager.
Leslie decides to get him a job. The building where her office is located is looking for a person that can work cheaply. Kathleen, the woman in charge, offers him a kind of job that presents Salman with a challenge. He is to wear a huge rubber suit that represents the logo of BlueNexion's mascot, Kabluey. Kathleen takes him to an isolated highway where he is supposed to distribute leaflets that promote the virtues of renting space in the company's headquarters. The bus ride Salman takes to get to work, gives him an earful of a loud mouth woman talking about her love life to a silent partner.
Salman is not prepare to the indignities he must suffer to earn six dollars an hour perspiring profusely under the hot Texas sun. The only good thing that comes out of this job is getting hired for a birthday party where he is offered a hundred bucks for entertaining the kids that are mesmerized looking at him when they go by. To his credit, Salman is a big hit at the birthday celebration. He is a silent figure among all the mostly mothers that talk all kinds of intimate details and gossip.
Salman, who has made a friend with the supermarket cashier that comes to cater the party, and another person that impersonates a big wedge of cheese, come to Leslie's rescue when she goes to a motel with a guy she works with. Leslie, at long last, realizes Salman is the nice person she had taken for granted, not giving him all the credit he was due.
"Klabuey" was an amazing discovery when it showed on cable recently. Written and directed, as well as acted by Scott Prendergast, this indie comedy has its heart in the right place. It might not be for everyone, but watch it with an open mind and it will work magic with the viewer that comes with no preconceptions about the film. The film works because Salman is not judgmental about anything. Life has not been kind to him, but he is not stupid. He walks through situations where nasty minded individuals thinks he is incapable of doing anything right, and yet, he proves he is way above everyone.
As Salman, Scott Prendergast does a deadpan take on the character he created. He presents a serious face in funny situations that might give people the wrong impression. Lisa Kudrow plays Leslie, a small, but effective role as the harried mother with big problems she cannot solve. Conchatta Ferrel is amazing as Kathleen, the boss from hell. Teri Garr is seen on a couple of scenes.
Salman is a man that has not amounted to much in his life. His last place of residence was in Nevada, where he did not get a decent job, so going to Austin to help Leslie is perhaps the best news he has been offered in a while. Leslie, an airhead, offers Salman a blanket that has still some vomit to sleep, thinking he might have brought his own bed with him, when he is only doing her the favor! What could be wrong with taking care of his two nephews? Plenty! For starters, Salman and the boys clash. He is an inept person when it comes to do what is expected of him by Leslie. He can not even get the boys to behave. As a solution, he decides to use straps on them whenever he must take them to the stores, eliciting dirty looks from the supermarket cashier and manager.
Leslie decides to get him a job. The building where her office is located is looking for a person that can work cheaply. Kathleen, the woman in charge, offers him a kind of job that presents Salman with a challenge. He is to wear a huge rubber suit that represents the logo of BlueNexion's mascot, Kabluey. Kathleen takes him to an isolated highway where he is supposed to distribute leaflets that promote the virtues of renting space in the company's headquarters. The bus ride Salman takes to get to work, gives him an earful of a loud mouth woman talking about her love life to a silent partner.
Salman is not prepare to the indignities he must suffer to earn six dollars an hour perspiring profusely under the hot Texas sun. The only good thing that comes out of this job is getting hired for a birthday party where he is offered a hundred bucks for entertaining the kids that are mesmerized looking at him when they go by. To his credit, Salman is a big hit at the birthday celebration. He is a silent figure among all the mostly mothers that talk all kinds of intimate details and gossip.
Salman, who has made a friend with the supermarket cashier that comes to cater the party, and another person that impersonates a big wedge of cheese, come to Leslie's rescue when she goes to a motel with a guy she works with. Leslie, at long last, realizes Salman is the nice person she had taken for granted, not giving him all the credit he was due.
"Klabuey" was an amazing discovery when it showed on cable recently. Written and directed, as well as acted by Scott Prendergast, this indie comedy has its heart in the right place. It might not be for everyone, but watch it with an open mind and it will work magic with the viewer that comes with no preconceptions about the film. The film works because Salman is not judgmental about anything. Life has not been kind to him, but he is not stupid. He walks through situations where nasty minded individuals thinks he is incapable of doing anything right, and yet, he proves he is way above everyone.
As Salman, Scott Prendergast does a deadpan take on the character he created. He presents a serious face in funny situations that might give people the wrong impression. Lisa Kudrow plays Leslie, a small, but effective role as the harried mother with big problems she cannot solve. Conchatta Ferrel is amazing as Kathleen, the boss from hell. Teri Garr is seen on a couple of scenes.
Thoughtful, funny, surprisingly simple film
laurie-22317 October 2007
Saw Kabluey at the Austin Film Festival last eve, and walked out loving the film. Logically, I know it shouldn't be surprising to see a low-budget film capture characters that are so real, and yet do parody and comedy so well. Kids sitting behind me laughed at all the same spots I did. It manages to stay in the realm of indy-odd, but deliver a well-crafted plot line, and characters that you love. A sprinkling of well recognized actors who give great performances...loved Conchata Ferrell. Scott Pendergrass holds it together through the entire film.
Scott Pendergrass afterward said there might be an announcement coming next week at the Hamptons festival, so hopefully it will sign a distribution deal. This film deserves to be widely seen.
Scott Pendergrass afterward said there might be an announcement coming next week at the Hamptons festival, so hopefully it will sign a distribution deal. This film deserves to be widely seen.
Impressive combination of subtle wit and broad visual humor
Buddy-514 March 2012
Scott Prendergast wrote, directed and stars in "Kabluey!," an indie comedy that's as quirky and offbeat as its title.
"Friends"' Lisa Kudrow stars as Leslie, a small town woman whose husband has been off fighting in Iraq for a year and a half and whose two unruly sons are more than this harried, overstressed mom can reasonably cope with on her own. Enter Prendergast as Salman (like Salman Rushdie, he proudly proclaims), Leslie's ne'er-do-well but well-intentioned brother-in-law who comes to live with the family and ostensibly offer his assistance - though Salman may be in as much need of help as Leslie and the kids.
"Kabluey!" is distinguished primarily by its droll and understated visual humor, which comes primarily through the humiliating costume Salman is forced to don for his job delivering flyers advertising a flat-lining dot.com company to utterly uninterested and even dismissive passersby. Salman has been pretty much a failure his entire life, but he soon discovers that , even though he can lose himself and even take a proactive role by hiding his identity in the suit, it is ultimately only by shedding the costume that he can hope to grow up a bit and become a responsible, fully functioning adult.
"Kabluey!," like most idiosyncratic independent comedies, captures the capricious flakiness of the people and environs of small-town life and the special quality of alienation that seems to reside in such places - and no one is more faceless and alienated than Salman when he's stuck in that suit. Its talented cast also includes Terri Garr (Kudrow's real-life mother and perfect voice-match), Christine Taylor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and "SNL" and "Portlandia"'s Chris Parnell.
It's a nicely atmospheric look at post-9/11 America, one that mixes humor and pathos in roughly equal measure.
"Friends"' Lisa Kudrow stars as Leslie, a small town woman whose husband has been off fighting in Iraq for a year and a half and whose two unruly sons are more than this harried, overstressed mom can reasonably cope with on her own. Enter Prendergast as Salman (like Salman Rushdie, he proudly proclaims), Leslie's ne'er-do-well but well-intentioned brother-in-law who comes to live with the family and ostensibly offer his assistance - though Salman may be in as much need of help as Leslie and the kids.
"Kabluey!" is distinguished primarily by its droll and understated visual humor, which comes primarily through the humiliating costume Salman is forced to don for his job delivering flyers advertising a flat-lining dot.com company to utterly uninterested and even dismissive passersby. Salman has been pretty much a failure his entire life, but he soon discovers that , even though he can lose himself and even take a proactive role by hiding his identity in the suit, it is ultimately only by shedding the costume that he can hope to grow up a bit and become a responsible, fully functioning adult.
"Kabluey!," like most idiosyncratic independent comedies, captures the capricious flakiness of the people and environs of small-town life and the special quality of alienation that seems to reside in such places - and no one is more faceless and alienated than Salman when he's stuck in that suit. Its talented cast also includes Terri Garr (Kudrow's real-life mother and perfect voice-match), Christine Taylor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and "SNL" and "Portlandia"'s Chris Parnell.
It's a nicely atmospheric look at post-9/11 America, one that mixes humor and pathos in roughly equal measure.
The last time I laughed this hard I was watching a silent movie!!!
mgconlan-121 October 2008
I had really thought great slapstick comedy was a lost art, one that I'd have to go to DVD's of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd to experience. Then I saw "Kabluey." For the first half of the film I was laughing my head off, not only at the sheer outrageousness of it all but also at Scott Prendergast's brilliance at building gag on top of gag, making you laugh harder at each one until by the end of his "stack" you're literally screaming with joy. The second half slowed down a little but also proved that Prendergast could do pathos, and the ending is as heartbreaking as anything by Chaplin. There've been a few comedians in the modern era who showed they COULD have ranked with the stars of the past (Robin Williams, Jim Carrey), but Williams got stuck into too many overstuffed vehicles and Carrey seems to have been penalized by his audience every time he tried to reach beyond fart humor. Let's hope Scott Prendergast keeps making simple, unpretentious and utterly hilarious movies like this.
some funny bits
ksf-28 May 2023
It's a film where the same person is the lead, the writer, and the director; that doesn't always go well. Unemployed salman (prendergast) moves in with his brother's family (lisa kudrow), theoretically to help look after the kids. And those kids are totally out of control... no boundaries. No discipline. Salman can't even take care of himself, so of course, taking care of the kids is a total disaster. Smallish roles for teri garr and conchata ferrell... she was berta on two and a half men. There are some funny bits here and there, but most of the characters here are just miserable, angry, and abusive. Sort of a lesson in human interaction and isolation. It's okay! Not great, but much better than some of the other small, indie films where the same person does everything. It starts a bit slow, but gets going towards the end. The storyline has some similarities to "mister mom", which, coincidentally also had teri garr. In that one, a single dad starts out doing everything wrong, but slowly learns to be a good provider.
Minus 10
j-lacerra27 June 2010
I am not an expert, but I would assume that one of the first rules of comedy is that it be funny, or at least heart-warmingly humorous. Kabluey is neither. I did not laugh once during the 45 minutes of the picture that I watched. The blue suit joke drew one chuckle, and they beat that device into the ground, negating it.
Is anyone truly as obtuse and socially comatose as the Salman character, played by Scott Pendergrass? 'Stupid is as stupid does', but it is not necessarily funny. Are any children as completely malevolent as these two boys? How could anyone find humor in watching these out-of-control brats assault everything and everyone they come in contact with? The mother character, played with an evil benign deadpan annoyingness by Lisa Kudrow, is rude, nasty, ungrateful, and mean. Kudrow, apparently a known television actress, is so unsympathetic in her character that she engenders outright dislike from the viewer.
So, not only is Kabluey unfunny, but it is actively anti-funny. Please, do not depress and torture yourself with this steaming turd of a motion picture.
Is anyone truly as obtuse and socially comatose as the Salman character, played by Scott Pendergrass? 'Stupid is as stupid does', but it is not necessarily funny. Are any children as completely malevolent as these two boys? How could anyone find humor in watching these out-of-control brats assault everything and everyone they come in contact with? The mother character, played with an evil benign deadpan annoyingness by Lisa Kudrow, is rude, nasty, ungrateful, and mean. Kudrow, apparently a known television actress, is so unsympathetic in her character that she engenders outright dislike from the viewer.
So, not only is Kabluey unfunny, but it is actively anti-funny. Please, do not depress and torture yourself with this steaming turd of a motion picture.
Hilarious and creative film people are sure to enjoy
se7en18715 June 2008
I saw this film at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Kabluey is a wildly entertaining and hilarious film. Scott Prendergast, the writer, director, and star of the film, made a very creative comedy that's so much fun to watch.
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) needs help taking care of her two wild kids because her husband is off fighting in Iraq. Her brother-in-law Salman (Prendergast) decides to help out, after all, he needs a place to stay anyway after recently getting fired. But Salman has no idea what he's gotten himself into. The two children (perfectly played by Landon Henninger and Cameron Wofford) are far too much to handle and do everything they can to make Salman's life miserable. And somehow Salman manages to get a job as a mascot for Leslie's company.
I loved this movie, it's a very clever script. Sure, it's sort of a familiar story about a guy trying to look after some wild kids, but there are so many original and inventive moments throughout, especially the entire story of Salman as the office mascot. I also loved all of the little touches throughout, things in the background that aren't don't further the plot but add to the comedy. And Conchata Ferrell steals the show a Salman's employer. Every moment she's on screen is hysterical, she's so perfect at comedy, I wish she had a movie of her own.
There are many huge laughs throughout this film. Everyone at the screening was laughing wildly and applauding during many scenes. It really is a wonderful film and I hope people get a chance to see it. Seek out this film, watch it, and then spread the word.
Kabluey is a wildly entertaining and hilarious film. Scott Prendergast, the writer, director, and star of the film, made a very creative comedy that's so much fun to watch.
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) needs help taking care of her two wild kids because her husband is off fighting in Iraq. Her brother-in-law Salman (Prendergast) decides to help out, after all, he needs a place to stay anyway after recently getting fired. But Salman has no idea what he's gotten himself into. The two children (perfectly played by Landon Henninger and Cameron Wofford) are far too much to handle and do everything they can to make Salman's life miserable. And somehow Salman manages to get a job as a mascot for Leslie's company.
I loved this movie, it's a very clever script. Sure, it's sort of a familiar story about a guy trying to look after some wild kids, but there are so many original and inventive moments throughout, especially the entire story of Salman as the office mascot. I also loved all of the little touches throughout, things in the background that aren't don't further the plot but add to the comedy. And Conchata Ferrell steals the show a Salman's employer. Every moment she's on screen is hysterical, she's so perfect at comedy, I wish she had a movie of her own.
There are many huge laughs throughout this film. Everyone at the screening was laughing wildly and applauding during many scenes. It really is a wonderful film and I hope people get a chance to see it. Seek out this film, watch it, and then spread the word.
Quirky film finds grace in closing moments
rjyelverton26 December 2008
Nearly drowning in indie quirk, "Kabluey" manages to pull its head above water for a touching conclusion. This film takes place in indie land where nearly everyone and everything is quirky. The cars are quirky, the grocery store is quirky, and the clerks are all quirky. Northern Exposure and Wes Anderson succeed in their quirkified excesses by also creating characters that are deeply flawed and very human. When Kabluey strips away the quirks, humans emerge and the story moves the viewer.
The story opens with Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) hiding in the closet from her two menacing children and speaking with her mother-in-law about how overwhelming her life has become since her husband left for Iraq. Enter lovable loser and brother-in-law Salman. He shows up in part to help out around the house and in part because he has nowhere else to go. In order to help with bills Salman takes the job of a giant blue company mascot. The mascot suit proves a fantastic comic device and makes for excellent visuals and funny physical gags.
As Salman settles in to his new life, he discovers myriad problems. Leslies's life is out of control and the internet start-up for which he is working is on the brink of collapse. Though he has always been a doormat and failure, Salman finds himself in a situation that demands he act. The suit, Salman discovers, evokes very strong reactions in others and he must decide how to use this new power. Can he finally take control of his life and become an actor not merely the acted upon? As mentioned, in the film's final moments, the movie strips away the quirkiness and closes well. The final scenes feature people merely talking to one another, finally confronting the mess they have made of their lives and trying to face the future. "Kabluey" is hit and miss, but it achieves a special grace in its closing.
The story opens with Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) hiding in the closet from her two menacing children and speaking with her mother-in-law about how overwhelming her life has become since her husband left for Iraq. Enter lovable loser and brother-in-law Salman. He shows up in part to help out around the house and in part because he has nowhere else to go. In order to help with bills Salman takes the job of a giant blue company mascot. The mascot suit proves a fantastic comic device and makes for excellent visuals and funny physical gags.
As Salman settles in to his new life, he discovers myriad problems. Leslies's life is out of control and the internet start-up for which he is working is on the brink of collapse. Though he has always been a doormat and failure, Salman finds himself in a situation that demands he act. The suit, Salman discovers, evokes very strong reactions in others and he must decide how to use this new power. Can he finally take control of his life and become an actor not merely the acted upon? As mentioned, in the film's final moments, the movie strips away the quirkiness and closes well. The final scenes feature people merely talking to one another, finally confronting the mess they have made of their lives and trying to face the future. "Kabluey" is hit and miss, but it achieves a special grace in its closing.
What's funny about it?
sdhardin26 December 2008
I'm sorry--I really wanted to like this movie but there was very little likable about it. Comedy? No. It is sad and evokes feelings of sympathy for some of the characters (yes, they are pitiful) but there is no comedy involved. For single folks, the scenes of insane children running wildly amok might be mildly amusing, but for parents, it is horrifying. Children sprinkling powdered cleanser into their uncle's mouth? No. Not funny. If the uncle had done something to provoke them, maybe it would have been funny, but there was nothing like that. There were a few "aha" moments but even they were bathetic, not funny. Only see this movie if you are desperate and have no other options.
Alright Which Night Light?
Chrysanthepop19 October 2009
Scott Prendergast emerges as a talented writer, director and actor. The basic premise of 'Kabluey' may sound familiar but this non-glamorous, non-polished and subtle film stays true to life. Prendergast includes themes like the war in Iraq (and its effect on their spouse and children) and corporates ripping off the common population in the story but it is all understated and part of the main story rather than a subplot.
Even the performances are understated. Prendergast is impressive as the penniless goofy black or blue sheep of the family who tries to be of some use to his sister-in-law. Lisa Kudrow is sublime proving once again that she can take any role and breathe life into it. Skillfully downplayed, in the beginning her character is not very likable but one does sense Leslie's pain and despair and gradually sympathize with her as Kudrow peels the layers exposing the depth of this working mother. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is pretty good as 'one of the corporates'. While the rest of the very talented cast: Chris Parnell, Teri Garr, Conchata Farrell and Christine Taylor, do a terrific job.
The camera is used very efficiently. There is a particular long shot which takes place when Kudrow walks out of the motel that is of note. The locations are also wonderfully captured and it is interesting to see how Leslie's quiet neighborhood contrasts with the grasslands next to the highway. You don't see many people in either place. Both feel cold and 'unlived' in. Then you see Leslie's house which is at times cluttered and at times tidy but never does it feel like 'a home' because it doesn't look like it's being taken care of.
It is the treatment Prendergast gives to 'Kabluey' that makes it such an original, refreshing, funny but also uplifting film. Some of the funniest scenes are the ones with Salman and the kids and with kabluey. Perhaps the funniest one being the one where the blue kabluey and cheesegirl team up. In addition, I really liked the unconventional soundtrack and the little animated feature that appears during the end credit.
Prendergast has created a little gem and 'Kabluey' has been a delight to watch. I intend to revisit this one again.
Even the performances are understated. Prendergast is impressive as the penniless goofy black or blue sheep of the family who tries to be of some use to his sister-in-law. Lisa Kudrow is sublime proving once again that she can take any role and breathe life into it. Skillfully downplayed, in the beginning her character is not very likable but one does sense Leslie's pain and despair and gradually sympathize with her as Kudrow peels the layers exposing the depth of this working mother. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is pretty good as 'one of the corporates'. While the rest of the very talented cast: Chris Parnell, Teri Garr, Conchata Farrell and Christine Taylor, do a terrific job.
The camera is used very efficiently. There is a particular long shot which takes place when Kudrow walks out of the motel that is of note. The locations are also wonderfully captured and it is interesting to see how Leslie's quiet neighborhood contrasts with the grasslands next to the highway. You don't see many people in either place. Both feel cold and 'unlived' in. Then you see Leslie's house which is at times cluttered and at times tidy but never does it feel like 'a home' because it doesn't look like it's being taken care of.
It is the treatment Prendergast gives to 'Kabluey' that makes it such an original, refreshing, funny but also uplifting film. Some of the funniest scenes are the ones with Salman and the kids and with kabluey. Perhaps the funniest one being the one where the blue kabluey and cheesegirl team up. In addition, I really liked the unconventional soundtrack and the little animated feature that appears during the end credit.
Prendergast has created a little gem and 'Kabluey' has been a delight to watch. I intend to revisit this one again.
I smile through the whole thing
Healing_Process8 August 2010
The movie to me as the credits rolled was a smile and a nod. The heart warming light comedy with a psychology behaviorism aspect to it made me like this movie. As the movie progressed, it showed a semi-redundant life in two different lights (him in the suit/him out of the suit). The beginning came out with bursting out laughs and the movie soon progressed into a warm-hearted lesson. The fact of the comparisons you see with him in the suit and out of the suit will show mostly how people do adapt to who they are with and will give you a chuckle out of it.
Slow,deep,methodical, and will probably keep you smile through the whole movie if you just take it as they want you too. I would give a watch :P
Slow,deep,methodical, and will probably keep you smile through the whole movie if you just take it as they want you too. I would give a watch :P
When the worthless misfit family member saves the family
Wuchakk29 June 2017
Released in 2017 and directed/written by Scott Prendergast, "Kabluey" is an offbeat dramedy starring Prendergast as the bumbling black sheep of the family who comes to town to help his sister-in-law (Lisa Kudrow) & two unholy terror nephews after his brother is deployed to Iraq. He lands a part-time job as a mascot for a struggling internet firm where he meets an uptight Broomhilda (Conchata Ferrell) and his sister-in-law's libidinous boss (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Christine Taylor, Teri Garr and Angela Sarafyan are also on hand.
The movie's not great, but it's original, quirky and quietly amusing. Kudrow's acting is phenomenal, particularly once you know how the story pans out and view it again (note the hollow look in her eyes when she pulls in her driveway at night). While mostly a comedy, "Kabluey" is also sometimes poignant and includes one of the best portrayals of genuine repentance on film. In addition, the cast features a quality Smorgasbord of females.
The film runs 86 minutes and was shot in Austin, Texas.
GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)
The movie's not great, but it's original, quirky and quietly amusing. Kudrow's acting is phenomenal, particularly once you know how the story pans out and view it again (note the hollow look in her eyes when she pulls in her driveway at night). While mostly a comedy, "Kabluey" is also sometimes poignant and includes one of the best portrayals of genuine repentance on film. In addition, the cast features a quality Smorgasbord of females.
The film runs 86 minutes and was shot in Austin, Texas.
GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)
Supercool indie
genofoster4 June 2009
My favorite kind of films have often been small, independent gems like this one, films that are the unique visions of under financed directors and not the bloated studios.
First, Lisa Kudrow. I liked Friends, but I wasn't crazy about it. That's why she was such a surprise to me here. Her character is initially unlikeable, but once you see why she does the what she does, she becomes sympathetic. Her scene when she walks away from the motel room fight is fantastic. She's hurt, her life is crumbling, and you feel for her. She's hateful and funny, a really good performance.
And newcomer Scott Prendergast, co-star, writer and director does a unique turn here as the black-sheep weirdo who becomes a kind of superhero that saves the family. I can't wait to see what he does next.
If you're expecting some stupid comedy, skip this and rent Mall Cop. If you want something unexpected, unusual and funny, give Kabluey a shot.
First, Lisa Kudrow. I liked Friends, but I wasn't crazy about it. That's why she was such a surprise to me here. Her character is initially unlikeable, but once you see why she does the what she does, she becomes sympathetic. Her scene when she walks away from the motel room fight is fantastic. She's hurt, her life is crumbling, and you feel for her. She's hateful and funny, a really good performance.
And newcomer Scott Prendergast, co-star, writer and director does a unique turn here as the black-sheep weirdo who becomes a kind of superhero that saves the family. I can't wait to see what he does next.
If you're expecting some stupid comedy, skip this and rent Mall Cop. If you want something unexpected, unusual and funny, give Kabluey a shot.
costume fun
SnoopyStyle27 October 2020
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) is overwhelmed. Her husband got sent to Iraq. Her two kids are going nuts. They could lose their health insurance if she can't work. Her mother-in-law sends over her weird son Salman to watch over the kids while she returns to her job. He's completely broke and she gets him a job as a mascot selling empty office space.
Scott Prendergast is nowhere near big enough or charismatic enough to be a movie leading man. He has the quirky look to be a weird sidekick. Once he gets into the costume, it becomes a crazy surrealist humor. That's the heart of this movie. That's all it needs. It's the best part and the only great part of the movie. I would make the whole movie about him doing that job. Sure, it could add a silly babysitting job with him tying the kids outside the supermarket. He could try some other stupid jobs before getting Kabluey. There are some big laughs. It's non-sense. The job makes no sense but it's funny.
Scott Prendergast is nowhere near big enough or charismatic enough to be a movie leading man. He has the quirky look to be a weird sidekick. Once he gets into the costume, it becomes a crazy surrealist humor. That's the heart of this movie. That's all it needs. It's the best part and the only great part of the movie. I would make the whole movie about him doing that job. Sure, it could add a silly babysitting job with him tying the kids outside the supermarket. He could try some other stupid jobs before getting Kabluey. There are some big laughs. It's non-sense. The job makes no sense but it's funny.
Quirky comedy finds humor in ordinary aspects of life
adamdonaghey29 November 2007
The really amazing thing about Kabluey is the celebrity cast Scott Prendergast puts together. Not only is the film made on a shoe-string budget (no trailers or amenities folks!), but this is Prendergast's first feature length film! Topping that, he writes, directs and stars in it! After the film ended, Prendergast tells us that his co-star, Lisa Kudrow, actually phoned him up one morning and told him in person she'd do the film. He'd sent her a script directly. Apparently, after she signed on, several other stars (including Teri Garr and Christine Taylor) followed suit.
Not only is the cast of characters spot on, but the film itself certainly delivers a wide spectrum of joyous emotions. I felt joy throughout the film, but that joy ranged from laugh-out-loud funny, to giddiness, to emotions that made me feel like I should cry but still made me feel happy. Either way, I was quite amused and had a smile on my face the entire time.
The quirky concept of the film is an oddball kind of guy, Salman, trying to help his sister-in-law with her two, non-stop ruckus driven brats, while her husband is away in Iraq. Salman ends up getting a seemingly useless job as a guy who dresses up in a huge blue, faceless suit and hands out flyers promoting office space for rent at a glorious expanse of a building so large and magnificent and yet, so empty. I asked the writer/director about the company during the Q&A session and he said he'd manufactured it after these grand buildings owned by bankrupt and defunct dot com companies, who'd busted.
Prendergast finds humor in so many ordinary parts of life. This, coupled with his ability to tell a story by only showing its aftermath, makes me think we'll be seeing quite a bit more of him on screen and behind the scenes. Prendergast received a round of applause when he announced Kabluey had been picked up and will be distributed, with a theatrical release, sometime next year. It's blurific!
Not only is the cast of characters spot on, but the film itself certainly delivers a wide spectrum of joyous emotions. I felt joy throughout the film, but that joy ranged from laugh-out-loud funny, to giddiness, to emotions that made me feel like I should cry but still made me feel happy. Either way, I was quite amused and had a smile on my face the entire time.
The quirky concept of the film is an oddball kind of guy, Salman, trying to help his sister-in-law with her two, non-stop ruckus driven brats, while her husband is away in Iraq. Salman ends up getting a seemingly useless job as a guy who dresses up in a huge blue, faceless suit and hands out flyers promoting office space for rent at a glorious expanse of a building so large and magnificent and yet, so empty. I asked the writer/director about the company during the Q&A session and he said he'd manufactured it after these grand buildings owned by bankrupt and defunct dot com companies, who'd busted.
Prendergast finds humor in so many ordinary parts of life. This, coupled with his ability to tell a story by only showing its aftermath, makes me think we'll be seeing quite a bit more of him on screen and behind the scenes. Prendergast received a round of applause when he announced Kabluey had been picked up and will be distributed, with a theatrical release, sometime next year. It's blurific!
This flick is a quick trip to Bizarroland but it has its moments and undeniable originality
inkblot1131 July 2014
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) is at the end of her rope. Her husband, a member of the state's National Guard, has been deployed to Iraq. Yes, she knew it was a possibility but reality has come crashing down. The couple's two young boys are running all over her and she is desperate and bitter. Closing herself into a room while the boys wreak havoc, she phones her mother-in-law. This lady has a solution. Why not invite her hubby's brother, Salman (Scott Prendergast, who also wrote and directed the movie), who is between jobs, to come and make an extended stay? Sounds good. But, upon Salman's arrival, Leslie finds she gets more than she bargained for this time. Salman is quietly strange and can never hold onto employment. At his last job at the local photocopy store, he laminated everything in sight, even things folks never want laminated. Boss gave him the heave ho hastily. Now, he's floundering. The little boys don't quite know what to make of him and neither does Leslie. So, Leslie hatches a plan. They will share babysitting duties and each will get a part time job. Leslie already has one, after all, while Salman gets a job with her company. What is the position? Why, all he has to do is wear a bizarre blue costume and hawk the dot.com's strong points on a highway near town. Wholly internet, Batman! Will this situation have a silver lining? Maybe. This unusual, quirky movie is obviously Prendergast's baby. He wrote it, he stars in it, he directed it. As such, he has created a strange flick experience, with some sharp social commentary and dark humor. While Prendergast gives a nicely subdued, odd guy performance, he draws a great performance from Kudrow. She is right on the mark as the harried, temporarily helpless mother who eventually makes it back to some kind of normal living as a single parent. The rest of the cast, including Christine Taylor and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is nice as well. Its likewise an interesting, flatland setting with good costumes, script lines and direction. Want to take your evening into almost another dimension? Get Kabluey!
Funny little blue man....
filmmadman19 October 2007
The little blue man is hilarious. The design of the mascot, who is the centerpiece of the film, is flawless in its visual statement of generic corporate symbols. The film is very funny and the performances are good. There are times when characters like the one played by Teri Garr, could've been more developed and not as random and cruel.
The 'beer can scene' is hilarious and shows the true comic talent of Prendergast. Kudrow does a fine job of being very angry and depressed, almost too much.
But the highlight is the little blue man. If the director doesn't market that costume for Halloween, he's making a big mistake.
The 'beer can scene' is hilarious and shows the true comic talent of Prendergast. Kudrow does a fine job of being very angry and depressed, almost too much.
But the highlight is the little blue man. If the director doesn't market that costume for Halloween, he's making a big mistake.
All Around Excellent Film
LowBuget16 December 2008
Had no idea what I was about to watch. Came recommended from Kennsington Video. Very entertaining and thought provoking film about doing the right thing spontaneously. Has a very surreal almost Lynchian quality through the first half ( Be patient through first 20min). Anyone who's had or babysat 4-6 yr old boys, or rode the bus will get a good laugh. A really nice mix of humor and meaning. It takes place present day with references to the war in Iraq the recession and a very believable premise. I also found the acting of the main characters superb. I guess Id describe this as an unexpected hero story or unexpected guardian story. Without spoiling anything Ill just say Kabluey is the best brother and uncle you could ask for. Cute without being corny.See it.
KaKrappy
flyingonabluedream1 September 2008
NANCY, (comment above), who says I was in the UK when I watched this film? You assume a lot. Also... what was that about your financial situation and water your plants? Pardon me for expecting a comedy film to give me at least ONE laugh. That's actually what they are supposed to do!
+Yeah the 'water plants' thing... I got the sarcasm, but what I'm saying is why is it unusual for me to wonder why a comedy film failed to make me laugh once. I'm a guy that loves to joke and I have a great sense of humor. I am intelligent enough to know a good joke when I see it and was quite frankly 'blinded' in that sense by this film and it's lousy script & direction. ____________________________________________________________________
For being a low budget movie, one doesn't expect the thrills and spills of the typical mainstream family comedies out there. A friend of mine recommended this as a great movie in which he 'laughed the whole way through.' I decided to check it out for myself. Optimistically, I sat down looking forward to a classic, but after 40 minutes of slow paced bad acting my patience was starting to grow thin. I thought the blue suit idea had a lot of potential and would take the main character on all sorts of wild adventures with all kinds of characters, however many dragged out boring scenes of the same characters (mad woman driving past in Ford Capri trying to run him over), which were unfunny in the first place consumed a fair proportion of this God-awful movie instead. This left me really frustrated and I've lost count of how many times I had to sit up to stop myself from falling asleep.
For the entirety I gave the movie a chance to get better, but it never did pick up. For being a comedy movie I was shocked,... I did not laugh once, nor did I find anything funny about the film. The storyline was boring (Father goes off to Iraq and brother takes care of his kids and his wife gets him a job, because she is fed up with him) and the acting was atrocious.
I highly recommend you stay away from this one. The other comments here seriously confuse me, because it was probably the worst film I have ever seen and I only gave it 1 out of 10, because IMDb does not offer the '0/10' option. Honest to God there was not one thing I could say I mildly enjoyed about this film, except for when the credits appeared and I knew that this nightmare was finally over.
STAY CLEAR.
P.S. I am normally generous in rating movies. I begrudge giving this 1/10, because even 0.1/10 is too kind in my opinion. Coming soon to a supermarket bargain bin near you!
+Yeah the 'water plants' thing... I got the sarcasm, but what I'm saying is why is it unusual for me to wonder why a comedy film failed to make me laugh once. I'm a guy that loves to joke and I have a great sense of humor. I am intelligent enough to know a good joke when I see it and was quite frankly 'blinded' in that sense by this film and it's lousy script & direction. ____________________________________________________________________
For being a low budget movie, one doesn't expect the thrills and spills of the typical mainstream family comedies out there. A friend of mine recommended this as a great movie in which he 'laughed the whole way through.' I decided to check it out for myself. Optimistically, I sat down looking forward to a classic, but after 40 minutes of slow paced bad acting my patience was starting to grow thin. I thought the blue suit idea had a lot of potential and would take the main character on all sorts of wild adventures with all kinds of characters, however many dragged out boring scenes of the same characters (mad woman driving past in Ford Capri trying to run him over), which were unfunny in the first place consumed a fair proportion of this God-awful movie instead. This left me really frustrated and I've lost count of how many times I had to sit up to stop myself from falling asleep.
For the entirety I gave the movie a chance to get better, but it never did pick up. For being a comedy movie I was shocked,... I did not laugh once, nor did I find anything funny about the film. The storyline was boring (Father goes off to Iraq and brother takes care of his kids and his wife gets him a job, because she is fed up with him) and the acting was atrocious.
I highly recommend you stay away from this one. The other comments here seriously confuse me, because it was probably the worst film I have ever seen and I only gave it 1 out of 10, because IMDb does not offer the '0/10' option. Honest to God there was not one thing I could say I mildly enjoyed about this film, except for when the credits appeared and I knew that this nightmare was finally over.
STAY CLEAR.
P.S. I am normally generous in rating movies. I begrudge giving this 1/10, because even 0.1/10 is too kind in my opinion. Coming soon to a supermarket bargain bin near you!
The most watchable depressing film I have yet to see
StevePulaski27 June 2013
Kabluey is a film that is charming while simultaneously being hopeless and leaving little-to-no optimism for the working/middle classes of Americans. Its bright disposition and sunlit environments give the aesthetics certainly more life than the characters have in them, but in the end, they live a sad, stale existence that will likely only get staler and increasingly more rough as time goes on. Even the ending doesn't make an effort to give us a silver lining. It's the kind of film that will make you dread the next morning, or even the forthcoming hours of the day, but will rub you on the back in hopes to give you some energy.
The film is the brainchild of first time writer/director/actor Scott Prendergrast, who plays Salman, who goes to live with his sister-in-law Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) since her husband's term of duty in Iraq has just been extended. Salman gets the thankless role of being a caretaker to Leslie's demonic, degenerate children, who wreak havoc and cause chaos wherever they go. In the mix of this lurid situation, Salman accepts a job offering from Leslie, who works for BluNexion, an internet company facing an enormous decline in sales. The job comes with the vague title of "maintenance," and results in Salman having to work an untold amount of hours a day, for $6 and hour, wearing a featureless, bulky blue costume with an oversized-head on the side of a lonely country road. Why BluNexion's manager (Conchata Ferrell) believes the answer to their failing industry is to place a giant mascot on the side of a road maybe twenty cars pass on a day is benign but I can roll with it.
When Salman is out of the costume, he lives a miserable existence that would push some to suicide. When Salman is in the costume, he brings a perplexing amount of joy to the people he encounters, especially children. There's not much playing he can do, however, when confined to the costume, due to his inflated-tube arms that can't even assist with passing out the flyers he must hand out to drum up business for the company.
It seems unlikely and trivial, but Kabluey is a strong replication of the lack of excitement and happiness in many Americans' lives. Everyday Salman takes a bus full of eccentrics, one of them a woman who talks nonstop to a silent coworker, who just talks down about her when she isn't on the bus. The repetition of events may wear on viewers, which only means it would do the same in real life. I'm curious to know how many of them currently feel how Salman does in life.
The amazing thing about the film is how easy it is achieves its morose state of being. When Salman discovers a heartbreaking secret Leslie is hiding, he, at first, doesn't seem so broken about it to do much. He still goes to work, gets paid, and takes care of the kids at night. Not until he sees the true predicament this is does he actually act. Salman is desensitized in a sector of the world which lacks all personality and life to the point where crucial, life-altering changes are viewed as frivolous until true thinking can be done.
Prendergast writes and directs with pure confidence in the depth of his material, and his miserable acting is a plus too. There are times when I sincerely wanted to dive into Salman's head just to hear and see his motivations, thoughts, and internal processes of thinking since the character releases such little depth and color on-screen ("but what does he have left?" is the question). Here is a guy who can develop a career as a wonderful indie-character actor if he continues writing and pioneering great ideas like this one. Kabluey is a somber, effective take on the issue of drudgery in American life and what the so-called "American Dream" means in modern times. It's not often you think about characters this deeply long after a film concludes.
Starring: Scott Prendergast, Lisa Kudrow, Conchata Ferrell, Teri Garr, and Christine Taylor. Directed by: Scott Prendergast.
The film is the brainchild of first time writer/director/actor Scott Prendergrast, who plays Salman, who goes to live with his sister-in-law Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) since her husband's term of duty in Iraq has just been extended. Salman gets the thankless role of being a caretaker to Leslie's demonic, degenerate children, who wreak havoc and cause chaos wherever they go. In the mix of this lurid situation, Salman accepts a job offering from Leslie, who works for BluNexion, an internet company facing an enormous decline in sales. The job comes with the vague title of "maintenance," and results in Salman having to work an untold amount of hours a day, for $6 and hour, wearing a featureless, bulky blue costume with an oversized-head on the side of a lonely country road. Why BluNexion's manager (Conchata Ferrell) believes the answer to their failing industry is to place a giant mascot on the side of a road maybe twenty cars pass on a day is benign but I can roll with it.
When Salman is out of the costume, he lives a miserable existence that would push some to suicide. When Salman is in the costume, he brings a perplexing amount of joy to the people he encounters, especially children. There's not much playing he can do, however, when confined to the costume, due to his inflated-tube arms that can't even assist with passing out the flyers he must hand out to drum up business for the company.
It seems unlikely and trivial, but Kabluey is a strong replication of the lack of excitement and happiness in many Americans' lives. Everyday Salman takes a bus full of eccentrics, one of them a woman who talks nonstop to a silent coworker, who just talks down about her when she isn't on the bus. The repetition of events may wear on viewers, which only means it would do the same in real life. I'm curious to know how many of them currently feel how Salman does in life.
The amazing thing about the film is how easy it is achieves its morose state of being. When Salman discovers a heartbreaking secret Leslie is hiding, he, at first, doesn't seem so broken about it to do much. He still goes to work, gets paid, and takes care of the kids at night. Not until he sees the true predicament this is does he actually act. Salman is desensitized in a sector of the world which lacks all personality and life to the point where crucial, life-altering changes are viewed as frivolous until true thinking can be done.
Prendergast writes and directs with pure confidence in the depth of his material, and his miserable acting is a plus too. There are times when I sincerely wanted to dive into Salman's head just to hear and see his motivations, thoughts, and internal processes of thinking since the character releases such little depth and color on-screen ("but what does he have left?" is the question). Here is a guy who can develop a career as a wonderful indie-character actor if he continues writing and pioneering great ideas like this one. Kabluey is a somber, effective take on the issue of drudgery in American life and what the so-called "American Dream" means in modern times. It's not often you think about characters this deeply long after a film concludes.
Starring: Scott Prendergast, Lisa Kudrow, Conchata Ferrell, Teri Garr, and Christine Taylor. Directed by: Scott Prendergast.
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