Cow
Monkey (2001)
"Bigfoot" seems like a subject that has been drained
of every comic possibility, yet "Cow Monkey" makes the
topic more hilarious and silly than it has ever been.
Of course, Bigfoot isn't really the true focus here,
that's just a ruse to allow some marvelous actors and
a wise director the opportunity to improv a film about
rednecks and Granola crunchin' modern day hippies in
search of the elusive Sasquatch.
"Cow Monkeys's" best moments are with brothers Gil
and Roy, played by real life twin brother James and
John Reichmuth. Sure, they are way-way-way over the
top, like Billy Bob Thornton on pain killers after he's
been hit in the head with a shovel, but it's all in
fun. Bordering on the absurd and ridiculous at the same
time, these characters prove the Reichmuth's to be some
of the funniest guys to be found in a low budget indie.
You just know they spend their evenings back home doing
sets at the local comedy club.
Shot on DV in a rural setting, the wide open skies
and dank green wilderness is always beautiful to look
at here. Sure, the film often seems like a bunch of
buds frolicking funnily in the bucolic landscape with
camcorders in tow, but it is always a delight to behold.
Visually, "Cow Monkey" reminded me of the Austin based
Zellner Brothers' "Frontier" in its naturalistic setting
used for a backdrop to absurd plot. Only here, the comedy
is much more slapstick and lowbrow.
"Cow Monkey" may not be a comic masterpiece. In fact,
I only laughed out loud 4 or 5 times. But it has a sweet,
kooky spirit and it tries like hell to please. Watching
it never made me feel cheated, only amused.
This Film Reviewed
from the 2001 Austin Film festival!
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Card
Script:
B+
Acting: B+
Cinematography\Lighting: B+
Special Effects\Make Up: B+
Music: A
Final
Grade: B+
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