A film that comes round full circle in many ways as it explores the meaning of life and death, as seen through the eyes of 11 year old Eli (Joshua Rush) - so cute and so much going on in his head for one so young! He appears to have come to terms with the fact his father, Rick (Bailey Chase) is about to die. But also how he still has hope, fuelled on by Evie (Melora Walters) who tells him stories of how a falling star is a soul of a deceased one returning to Earth and coming back to life. Which is a good story for him and giving him hope in some small way. Yet he also explores other religions too and their beliefs as well as wanting to become a Catholic cos he likes the idea of purgatory and ending up somewhere, but not quite sure where (my words.) Seems he too has trouble with the school bully, Wolf (Sean Ryan Fox) son of Tim (Drew Powell) and that aspect hasn't skipped a generation or the bully gene either, with Rick and uncle Sean (Adrian Grenier) also having to deal with the same family when they were at school and Sean still has to face up to him now.
There's Rick (Bailey Chase) who was on his last breath almost, as said and how Sean had come home for him. A fashion designer recognized from being on the cover of GQ! With the girls still throwing themselves at him, eve if he is gay. As well as coming home to the town he left behind, the family and father, Dick (Daniel Hugh Kelly). Yeah when you have a character who's good in the longterm and not a bad father and a little at odds with his family and estranged Sean, always call 'em Dick! But in a nice way. Dick's obsessed with the bowling festival, as is Eli and they've won the trophy three years in a row. This year with Rick not playing and having to resort to Hal's (Lyle Canouse) son-in-law, Ben (Wayne Wilderson) who isn't good at all, after Hal does his back in.
It's like a pride thing in a town where there's no sportsmanship but one-up-manship, particularly on the part of the Tile team, Tim, ergo once bullies and still are! So it was good to see them get their faces and noses rubbed in it and that fight was brewing for years. Took a homecoming and a bowling tournament for it to simmer, or rather boil over to the surface. Yay nailed those bullies did Dick and Sean! As well as winning the tournament. The sad part being it's also the moment Rick loses his fight when they win. He knew they would and he finally realized they did win and everything was okay and he could let go now. As well as getting a visit from Dick before he passed. Stubborn as he was in not visiting him sooner. Seems he did the same when his wife died.
It wasn't just about Dick's prejudice, maybe back then over Sean's sexuality, but he came to terms with it now and he knew back then. But something had to unite this family and that something was bowling and you could say it was exactly as the title says it all: Sex, Death and Bowling.
Ally Walker did an exceptional job with the script and directing. Ally should write some more dramas of this quality. Of course it was a story seen before, how there are so many facets and elements behind a family's life and secrets. Of growing up in a small town, fighting bullies, each other, but most of all it was real life and that made it different. How adversity was always there in the heart of the McCallister's as well as pain but also love and not the fleeting kind, but the kind that lasts.
The cast also did a superb portrayal with Daniel playing Dick as someone who's making the most of a difficult time. It's hard facing death once, but then twice and becoming distant was his way of coping. As we've said often enough, a parent shouldn't survive a child and have to go through that emotional turmoil. Adrian as the put upon son having to face small town bullies and their prejudices over again and realizing he loves his father after all and he loves him too. As well as the funny moments. Bowling was life and winning was everything. Many a polystyrene cup my friend and I had ripped to shreds in the college canteen over the years! Mostly out of boredom, not nervousness. Loved that scene! Hey Ponderosa reunion here with Drew, who played Hoss, alongside Daniel as Ben Cartwright. acting out. "Hey don't talk to your pa like that!! Asshole!" ha. Okay had to add that in.
Overall it wasn't as bad as some critics commented! Yeh who needs 'em?!!
Watching a film about terminal illness isn't easy on many levels, been through that, but Ally chose appropriate moments to pepper with simple comedy, with emotionally repressed Dick, coping as best he can. As said having to go through it once is bad enough, but twice over, it's not a case of getting over it and being there for your family. In many ways it's difficult to come to terms with, who does really, but doesn't mean he wasn't feeling for Rick and his family. The father is the glue that keeps the family together. Nothing wrong with a dysfunctional family drama if and when done in the right way.
Daniel always plays his roles with relish and his comedy is exceptional. A great choice and finally good to see him in a role which involved more than very little or hardly any screentime. Bailey Chase and his cushy role of lying in bed for the duration, reminded me of his role in Longmire as Branch Connolly, he ended up being shot, in hospital and a short while later was murdered by his own father! (No I wasn't thinking irony or anything here! Ha.)
No comments:
Post a Comment