What We Do in the Shadows
Review by Paul Preston
Welcome to Today I Watched…, a series of posts documenting my new challenge – watch a movie a day for the rest of my life. Keep coming back to TheMovieGuys.net to find out what I watch each day…and get my take on it.
When I see a movie that’s a new release in theaters or for home viewing, I’ll give it a proper review in the “Reviews”, otherwise, I’ll write about it here.
March 26, 2017 – Beauty and the Beast – catch the review of the Disney blockbuster in the REVIEWS category of TheMovieGuys.net.
March 27, 2017 – What We Do in the Shadows
Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi’s What We Do in the Shadows is so clever, funny and original, it’s a strong contender for one of the funniest movies of all time. The film takes the mockumentary-style conceit used in The Office and brings it to the story of four vampires who live together and their roommate struggles. The laughs are found in every possible place you could find them – the characters, the situations, the parody, the outrageousness, the subtlety, the deadpan, it all works.
Clement and Waititi play two of the blood-suckers, Vladislav and Viago, and are joined by Jonny Brugh as Deacon and Ben Fransham as Petyr. They’re all distinct vampires to hilarious effect – Vladislav is the legendary dark, gothic god, Deacon is the rebellious lover, Petyr is the gaunt and quiet Nosferatu-type and Viago, my favorite, is a bit of a Victorian fop, a gag that the film never let’s get old. In fact, NOTHING gets old, the idea of spoofing TV shows like The Real World and making it feature length would invite problems in less steady hands, but there is no lull, no lag, and no shortage of interesting circumstances for the vampires to find themselves in.
Together, they awkwardly address everything with each other (and to camera in testimonials) concerning household chores to interpersonal relationships to the upcoming Unholy Masquerade. They each have their own issues – a rival, an unrequited love, a best friend, servant mortals, and as a group, they grapple with bringing a new member into their fold.
Clement and Waititi are the brains behind Flight of the Conchords, but all the comic talent in this film seems as polished as any comedian getting higher exposure. The film bursts forth a roster of talent I need to see more of, and that starts with Waititi getting a directorial gig in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His follow-up to What We Do in the Shadows is directing Thor: Ragnarock, a film that just got a LOT more interesting.
Directed by: Dan Rush
Release Date: October 14, 2011
Run Time: 97 Minutes
Country: USA
Rated: R
Distributor: Lionsgate
