Vampires, Shakespeare, the Holy Grail, and Ralph Macchio as a mafioso boss... to call Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead a little out there is an understatement.
This independent comedy, now out in limited release in New York, targets a variety of subjects in search of laughs. Everything from Off Broadway plays and New York actors to vampire mythology, ancient secret societies, and infomercials is parodied. But working from his own script, Jordan Galland’s directorial debut feature is far better in concept than execution and the laughs just never seem to develop.
Julian March (Jake Hoffman) is an aimless, jobless, 20-something living in the spare room of his father’s doctor’s office. Still pining for his ex-girlfriend Anna (Devon Aoki), the only thing he seems to be accomplishing these days is a series of one-night stands. Still friendly with Anna, his efforts to win her back are hampered by her current boyfriend Bobby Bianchi (Macchio). Bobby, a pitchman for a new product -- a glorified water pistol he’s passing off as a hand sanitizer -- has everyone convinced he’s a mob kingpin. The last think Julian wants to do is upset him by taking back Anna.
The plot thickens when Julian’s dad forces him to interview for a job directing a production of Hamlet for a small New York theatre company. Despite the creepy nature of the troupe, especially the playwright Theo (John Ventimiglia), Julian takes the job. He soon discovers that Theo is really a vampire and the play is just a front for a sinister plot to obtain the Holy Grail. But by the time he does, is it too late for Julian to stop Anna and his best friend Vince (Kris Lemche), both hired for the play, from being literally sucked into the vampire’s circle.
If any movie falls victim to the old adage that “dying is easy, comedy is hard,” it’s this one. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead isn’t remotely as much fun as it sounds. Sure, it has a likeable cast and a cool soundtrack by Sean Lennon. But you get the feeling that everyone thinks the material is just so wacky, it has to be funny. Nobody appears to be trying too hard. With such a laid-back attitude, all the jokes are treated as throwaways. As a result, most of their comic potential is just ... well... thrown away. It’s hard to say which is more unfocused, the direction or the performances.
The fate of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead will most likely be as a quirky afterthought on Netflix’s virtual DVD shelves. But it will be interesting to see what else springs from the imagination of Jordan Galland. Whatever it is, it might be better suited in the hands of another director.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Vampire Theo (John Ventimiglia) woos Anna (Devon Aoki) as he shocks her ex-boyfriend Julian (Jake Hoffman).
