Tusk (2014)

 

Genre: Horror/ Comedy

Time: 1h 42mins

Director: Kevin Smith

Quick Summary: A brash and arrogant podcaster gets more than he bargained for when he travels to Canada to interview a mysterious recluse who has a rather disturbing fondness for walruses.

I'm not sure exactly how to describe this film, as it certainly is unique. 

To start with, the main character is an absolute dick. I had no sympathy for him at all. He is literally the type of guy who had made a podcast, he's annoying and obnoxious and really likes to let you know he makes a podcast. He thinks he's 'it' and lets everyone know it, whether it's his co-presenter, his doting girlfriend, or generally anyone he meets along the way. When he flies over to Canada to interview someone he publically made fun of on the internet, he finds out they have "Selfishly" committed suicide and have ruined this week's podcast. 

I did like the set-up in this film, you can really feel the tension like something bad is definitely going to happen. But the things that happened to this main character, he fully deserved it in my opinion. Honestly, I was like yeah, go ahead, traumatise this man, please. 

However, in this, Michael Parks delivers an exceptional performance as an elderly man confined to an electric wheelchair. Initially, his character appears to be quite harmless, with a love for conversation and storytelling. He speaks out in long spoken sentences and his stories are actually really captivating. However, as the plot unfolds, he drops his pretence and reveals his true persona. Parks seamlessly transitions into a full-blown lunatic, unleashing his madness upon anyone who crosses his path. 

His performance is both amusing and unnerving. The way he portrays his character's reveal of insanity is nothing short of brilliant. It's almost comical how he switches between his charming facade and his terrifying true self. But at the same time, you can't help but feel scared for anyone who comes into contact with him. If you were stuck alone with him in the middle of nowhere, you'd be praying for a way out. 

One of the things that stood out to me in the movie was the use of practical effects. When the suit finally appeared in the middle of the movie, I was not disappointed. Even though it's obvious that it's not real, I didn't mind at all. The physical costume has a presence and weight to it, it looks grotesque, and honestly a bit funny, and it absolutely worked for me. The scene where the character gets into the walrus suit and begins his training is where things start to get really strange.

During this part of the film, I couldn't help but laugh a lot because of the camera. When we are first shown the Suit there is this ridiculous quick pan zoom out as the poor guy is just grunting, and it just feels like a parody of something. A lot of the dialogue is ridiculous in this section. It feels like someone quoting random plays or just utter nonsense. Watching the guy literally flop about as the walrus too while screaming/grunting was just the highlight of it all too.

The third part of this film where our Main guy's friend and girlfriend are trying to find him was very lackluster to me and really slowed down the film. The addition of (someone I'm slightly ashamed to admit took me way too long to realise who they were) a character called Guy Lapointe, who is played by Johnny Depp. I thought he was okay, and I found him funny at times. Though he talks for so long the scenes really drag on when he's involved. 

Not everyone is going to enjoy this film, I think I like this with just how bizarre and tonally deaf this is at times. It's an odd film, but worth a watch. The ending was so stupid though and honestly, who would let that happen.

6/10

"It's good to cry. It separates us from the animals. Shows you have a soul."

"Always do sober what you'd do drunk. It will teach you to keep your mouth shut."

"I see you have an eye for the unfamiliar and the curiosity of a cat."