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Suicide Trip
Trip Out
USA 2005
produced by Juliana Penaranda-Loftus for Beat Pirate Films
directed by James M. Hausler
starring James M. Hausler, Michael Mandell, Christopher M. Clark, Eco Lopez, Jason Williams, William Wiygul, Vanessa Vaughn, Sean Galdo, David Lubinsky, Taylor Coffman, Amy McWilliams, James Keegan, Celia Medavoy, Christopher Gillespie, Christina Rowena, Jon Townson, Keeley Hommel, Megan Ramirez
written by James M. Hausler, music by Christopher Mangum
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Available on DVD! To buy, click on link(s) below and help keep this site afloat (commissions earned) |
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The same story, three young men, three vastly different perspectives:
Tommy: Tommy (James M. Hausler) is a bit of a problem child who
mostly keeps to himself, doesn't really enjoy the company of others, thus
gets picked on a lot, and for some reason he especially doesn't like his
brother Richard (Michael Mandell), even if Richard really cares for him -
in a way high school students care for one another I suppose, as he lets
him join in on their 'shrooms, then takes Tommy to a party where he knows
hot and promiscuous cheerleader Sasha (Eco Lopez) wants Tommy for her
collection of men. And really, at the party, Sasha pretty much drags Tommy
into her bed and forces herself onto him - but Tommy's so tripped out he
hits her over the head with the first thing he can find to ward her off
...
Colby: Colby (Christopher M. Clark) likes to pose as
"gangster", even if he's from a rich family, and even if he
thinks he's the epitomy of cool, everyone at school thinks he's a jerk,
everyone but Richard, but even he's at times disgusted by the way Colby
behaves ... but he likes to hear when Colby tells him he's scored a pack
of 'shrooms. But then Richard insists that his stupid brother Tommy joins
them on their trip, and later at the party they're at, Colby tries to pick
up Sasha, but apparently she has only eyes for Tommy - really, the day
couldn't get any worse.
Richard: Richard's pretty much the total package, he's
good-looking, polite, good at school, he's popular with all the girl, and
he even bangs one of his teachers (Vanessa Vaughn). He also does drugs
like none other of his friends, and always knows where to get some and how
to keep himself in check ... until he gets his hands on Colby's 'shrooms
and trips out pretty badly. And when he later finds his brother Tommy over
knocked out, presumably dead Sasha, he naturally panics - but things go
downhill from there ...
A rather unique little movie that's part high school drama, part stoner
flick, part thriller with a bit of comedy sprinkled on and slices of
coming-of-age on the side, and despite the unusual (if by no means novel)
way of telling the same story from three perspectives, it feels
surprisingly solid as one whole, thanks to a really well-structured
screenplay, a well-told basic story, relateable characters and sharp
dialogue, brought to life by a directorial effort that knows when to lead
and when to give the performances room to breathe, and a very solid
ensemble cast. Apparently a film that went into oblivion for years after
its completion - but undeservedly so ...
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