Synopsis
Jena Malone’s life isn’t what she would like. She lives in a trailer with her mother and oldersister and brother, her boyfriend is a jerk who doesn’t want anyone to know they’re dating, andshe pines for her father, who’s in jail. She has a very idealized memory of her father, and aftermuch pleading, she manages to convince the rest of her very reluctant family to go to the annualprison picnic.
This is a comedy in the vein of The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys …nd the like — thelives of the characters might not be amusing in and of themselves, but the presentation is, in arather dark, deadpan sort of way. Malone’s cross between wide-eyed optimism and Haroldand Maude-style suicidal tendencies is quite endearing.
Audio
The soundtrack is 2.0, and that’s all that is really needed here. There aren’t a lot of surroundeffects, and there isn’t much of a sense of environment, but the music sounds fine (nice rumbleto the bass). The dialogue is clear and undistorted.
Video
The colours are strong and very natural, and are a good fit with the low-key approach of thefilm. The image is sharp, and there is no visible grain or edge enhancement. A fine transfer, then,with no obvious flaws. The aspect ratio is the original 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.
Special Features
Nothing here but a handful of trailers, none of which are for the feature itself. The menu isbasic.
Closing Thoughts
Off-beat, rather dark but also very witty, this is an appealing little comedy.
Special Features List
- Trailers
