Tusk: Movie Review
Director Kevin Smith is known best for his Jersey based comedies like Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy. In recent years he has tried to branch out by trying new things. Smith took on the directing duties for the buddy-cop film “Cop Out” which he did not write and that was a disaster. Next the filmmaker tried horror with “Red State”, which was a complete dud. I am happy to say that the latest from Smith, a dark-comedy or horror-comedy…I honestly can’t tell you which, is so completely whacked out and messed up, that I couldn’t’ help but enjoy it. Smith brings his sense of humor into the horror genre and for the most part, it works.
Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) is the host of a popular internet podcast in which along with his co-host Teddy (Haley Joel Osment), feature videos of people doing stupid things. When Wallace gets the chance to do an in-person interview with a kid who chopped off his own leg while swinging a sword around on video, he books a flight to Canada to meet the viral celebrity. Unfortunately, Wallace arrives just in time for the kid’s funeral since he decided to commit suicide before the interview.
Wallace doesn’t want to leave Canada without finding at least one unique person to interview for his show and while standing in front of a urinal in a bar restroom, Wallace notices a letter on the wall that was posted by a man who says he has great stories to tell. Thinking this is exactly what he is looking for, Wallace hops in his rental car and drives a couple hours to an isolated house to meet the storyteller.
Wallace is greeted by Howard Howe (Michael Parks), a seemingly harmless elderly man confined to a wheelchair. As Howard promised, he does have stories to tell. Unfortunately Wallace only got to hear a fraction of them before he gets knocked out by the drugs that the old man slipped in his tea.
If you have seen the trailers for “Tusk” then you already know that the old man’s plan for Wallace is to turn him into a human walrus hybrid through various operations. If you think the film sounds warped going in, trust me when I tell you that it is even more bizarre than it sounds. Smith delivers something that is a cross between “Misery” and “The Human Centipede” but with writer/director’s witty comedic humor.
“Tusk” is really fun and there is an extended cameo which I know has already been spoiled online, but you won’t hear about it from me. I will say that the scenes with this “unnamed” actor are some of the film’s funniest. “Tusk” is the kind of film that will be tough to get a mass audience to, but I hope it finds its audience. Even if it winds up bombing upon the theatrical release, I believe it will wind up being a huge cult favorite over the years.
By: Marc Ferman