Movies use a variety of devices to spur character growth, but this is the first time I’ve seen a plush blue mascot do the honors.
“Kabluey,” now on DVD, concerns a ne’er do well forced to help his sister-in-law out of a major jam.
Leslie (Lisa Kudrow, our most talented “Friend”) has two monsters, I mean children, who she must watch while her husband is off fighting insurgents in Iraq. She can’t afford child care and needs to keep working to sustain her health care coverage. So she throws a familial Hail Mary.
Enter Salman (writer/director Scott Prendergast), Leslie’s brother-in-law and your prototypical 30-something shipwreck. No job. No friends. No money. Nada.
But she invites him in to care for her children all the same.
“Kabluey” begins badly, and seems unlikely to recover. Forced humor doesn’t suit Prendergrast’s deadpan style, and the violent kid antics keep us beyond arm’s length.
Then, quietly, just as Salman starts fitting in at home, the movie picks itself up off the canvas and starts throwing some punches. The change comes courtesy of Kabluey, the floppy blue mascot Salman inhabits as a part-time job. Suddenly, people start to notice him. Talk to him. Respect him. And he starts respecting himself.
What sounds treacly is nothing of the sort. The film’s gentle humor, and wicked eye for comedic visuals, grows bolder as the film wears on. The final moments are surprisingly heartfelt, and well earned.
The film offers up some tasty cameos, from the great Teri Garr to the terminally underappreciated Chris Parnell. But it’s Prendergast’s film, and while it starts out in awkward fashion he quickly clears his throat and starts speaking in a steady, commanding voice.
“Kabluey” owes a debt to “Napoleon Dynamite,” another nerd study with a seriously eccentric bent. But Prendergast clearly likes Salman, and by the end of the film so will you.
UPDATE: The writer/director/star of “Kabluey” checked in with WWTW to let readers know they can download a commentary track for the DVD.
I’ll let Scott Prendergast fill you in:
Wanted to tell you that although i was not asked to do a commentary track for the DVD – there WILL be a commentary track (available as a super secret bootleg mp3) available on my web site early next week (Sept. 22). http://www.astateof.com
you can download it – and listen to it on your ipod – it’s easily synced to the movie. Lisa kudrow, Teri Garr, Conchata and others are all involved.
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If her husband is fighting in Iraq doesn’t she have military health insurance? Just curious.
They don’t get too in depth with details here … I sensed a whiff of anti-war bias in the opening moments, but the health care issue and the war itself simply serves up the narrative and it goes on from there.
hi Toto – thanks for the review.
in response to Heidi’s question – the film is based on my own true life story. I stayed with my brother’s wife while he was in iraq – and the family did in fact lose their health insurance – briefly. My brother is in the national guard – so he works full time at NIKE. the family health insurance comes from NIKE – so after he was gone a while – it lapsed. Hence – no insurance. They did eventually get insurance from the military – but it took some time.
Anyway – that’s the story. Thanks again!
scott
Wow, Scott, talking about riding to the rescue to answer a question. Thanks for checking in.
This is the beauty of the WWW!
Thank you for the clarification, Scott ~ and thank you Christian for bringing this movie to our attention. I’ll be putting this one in my Netflix queue.
~Heidi
I am so glad to see you reviewing this neglected gem, Christian! I thought it was a beautifully understated film with striking visuals and beautiful performances. I’d also like to mention the always-wonderful Conchata Ferrell and Christine Taylor. Kudrow proves again what a fearless and sensitive actress she is. I look forward to Prendergrast’s next film.
Just spoke to the writer/director of “Kabluey,” Nell, and he never doubted he would be able to make his film AND attract top flight talent.
I’ve seen Conchata Ferrell so often … but never connected the name with the face. This movie corrected that.
I think it’s safe to say that Conchata Ferrell walks off with the movie. She steals it. She’s brilliant! As is Kudrow.
Good to talk to you today cftoto. Wanted to tell you that although i was not asked to do a commentary track for the DVD – there WILL be a commentary track (available as a super secret bootleg mp3) available on my website early next week. http://www.astateof.com
you can download it – and listen to it on your ipod – it’s easily synced to the movie. Lisa kudrow, Teri Garr, Conchata and others are all involved.
Indie filmmakers! Making a go of it!
thanks again
s
Great note, Scott. I’ll update the posting to include this info.
This movie was indeed an undiscovered gem. My mom actually discovered it when we were at the rental store, lost for what to pick. She gave me the DVD and as soon as I read the back I wanted to watch it. And the %88 freshness rating at RT just sealed the deal. And what a good movie it was. After dodging so many grossed out comedies it’s a pleasure to find a film that is both smart and funny.
Since I see there are experts on this board (hi Scott
can I ask a question too? What was the significance of hiding the father’s face at the end?
Hello Tessa – I didn’t want to see his face because I wanted to keep him as a presence – but not a person. I kinda liked that you only ever see him as a (2d) image – and then as a silhouette. The movie’s not about him – it’s about the people around him.
Also I just didn’t want to tie up the movie with a shmaltzy hallmark movie of the week love fest – ya know? It’s a happy ending – the father comes home and he’s alive – and everything is “OK” – but I also wanted the end to be a bit melancholy. Salman’s alone – sort of ignored – his job is done – and now he has to go. I didn’t want it to be saccharine. I didnt want to see the father thanking salman and everybody happy. Maybe Im just a misanthrope.
Glad you liked the movie!
thanks
s
Wouldn’t change the ending a bit … for all the reasons Scott lists here. It’s a wonderfully understated movie moment.
Christian,
Thanks for recommending this DVD. I watched it last night. The first 30 minutes were rough sledding what with everyone coming across as either unpleasant or losers or both, but I’m glad I hung with it. It was thoughtful, emotionally real, entertaining, memorable, at times challenging, but altogether heartfelt. An excellent movie that eventually earned my great affection for its characters.
The costume could have just been just self-consciously indie-quirky, but it ended up brilliant. This is what indie movies should be. Hell, this is what mainstream movies should be.
I agree with you — and Scott — about the ending. Wouldn’t change a thing. If you ever talk with him again, please forward my kudos and my appreciation. And let us know when his next movie is coming out.
MMGodfrey – So glad you dug it. Felt the exact same way about the beginning. Too off-putting. Then … it wins you over.