#SUNDANCE: “MOTHER SCHMUCKERS”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

During their hunt for food, dimwitted brothers Issachar and Zabulon (Maxi Delmelle and Harpo Guit) lose their mother’s beloved dog, January Jack. To punish her sons, she kicks them out of their family apartment until they bring her dog back. While on the quest to retrieve January Jack, the brothers get into bizarre situations while running around Brussels.

Mother Schmuckers has unique humour, crazy situations, and outlandish characters that only work in this type of genre film. Filmmaking and Brother Duo Lenny and Harpo Guit have borrowed from many filmmakers who’ve come before them, however, they’ve created a style that is distinctly their own. This includes their use of innovative shots that immerse us into this wild day-in-the-life narrative.

The Film is loaded with comedy that has stooge-like characters become involved in gross situations. Some of these situations are funny but at times become ridiculous. Such as the opening scene, which immediately places the audience in the Film’s atmosphere. As it progresses, each scene becomes more chaotic and bizarre until the final frame. Some of the scenes are humorous, however, there are scenes containing animal and sexual abuse that are not funny but uncomfortable and at times disgusting. This might be the Guit Brothers’ intention, and if so, they have succeeded.

Overall, Mother Schmuckers is a film that is not for everyone but might become a cult hit. It also has two committed performances from Delmelle and Harpo Guit.

Mother Schmuckers screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 30 at 12 AM (EST)

On-demand (available for 24 hours): January 31 at 10 AM (EST)