"This is the Sweetest Movie about Suicide Ever"
I thought this was the first indie movie we were making a game for at For Your Inebriation, until the Disco Sheriff pointed out to me that The Passion of the Christ was independently produced. However, in that case, nobody besides Gibson wanted to touch it with a ten-foot pole. This is a little different.
When we think of indie movies now, we don't just think of movies that are independently produced. We think of a style of filmmaking: lower budget, stranger situations, off-beat humor, alternative or punk music playing in the background. The word "Indie" has been reappropriated, and whether that's right or wrong, it's spawned a lot of big-budget imitators who are looking to cash in on trends.
This movie isn't one of those. But it has a distinctive, off-beat flavor to it that makes it both very interesting as a piece of film and very difficult to make a game for. Not to mention it's not even two hours long.
How exactly did we pull this off? In my opinion, with panache.
When we think of indie movies now, we don't just think of movies that are independently produced. We think of a style of filmmaking: lower budget, stranger situations, off-beat humor, alternative or punk music playing in the background. The word "Indie" has been reappropriated, and whether that's right or wrong, it's spawned a lot of big-budget imitators who are looking to cash in on trends.
This movie isn't one of those. But it has a distinctive, off-beat flavor to it that makes it both very interesting as a piece of film and very difficult to make a game for. Not to mention it's not even two hours long.
How exactly did we pull this off? In my opinion, with panache.
"Wristcutters: A Drunk Story": The Rules
This was tough for me, but eventually I went with an assorted number of vodka drinks, in honor of Eugene and his depressed, Eastern European family. There's a cocktail called "electric lemonade" which is made with lemonade, vodka and blue curacao that seems fitting enough. It reminds us of Eugene's dynamic exit from the world before.
It also just hit me, you could probably drink Kamikazes.
Easy Mode
1. Drink for Title Drops. That's the full title.
2. Drink for Daddy Issues.
3. Drink when they drink.
4. Drink when the People In Charge are mentioned.
5. Drink when something drops underneath Eugene's car seat.
Medium Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink when that one Golgol Bordello song plays. It's called "Through the Roof and Underground" we found out later.
2. Drink whenever differences between their world and our world are brought up.
Hard Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink whenever there's a shot of the characters in the car.
2. Drink whenever someone says the word "love". This doesn't happen all that much. Go figure.
3. Drink whenever someone joins or leaves the main travelling party.
1. Drink for Title Drops. That's the full title.
2. Drink for Daddy Issues.
3. Drink when they drink.
4. Drink when the People In Charge are mentioned.
5. Drink when something drops underneath Eugene's car seat.
Medium Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink when that one Golgol Bordello song plays. It's called "Through the Roof and Underground" we found out later.
2. Drink whenever differences between their world and our world are brought up.
Hard Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink whenever there's a shot of the characters in the car.
2. Drink whenever someone says the word "love". This doesn't happen all that much. Go figure.
3. Drink whenever someone joins or leaves the main travelling party.
It's usually some combination of these three
The Players
Our onscreen players for the game are Krissy (me), The Disco Sheriff, and a new player, Bride of Buggerlas. We discussed some Indie tropes we are particularly fond of.
Our offscreen players are...
Daku: Has no personal stake in movie production (Easy)
Seb: Will never die. (Medium)
Crafting this game was difficult. Playing the game? About as wild a ride as a road trip through a depressing desert.
Daku: Has no personal stake in movie production (Easy)
Seb: Will never die. (Medium)
Crafting this game was difficult. Playing the game? About as wild a ride as a road trip through a depressing desert.
One Good Trip
I'm finding it really difficult to talk about this movie. Not because I didn't enjoy it, or even because the game was bad (in fact, it worked very well). It just kind of doesn't need to be spoken for.
Something interesting happens when you make a movie where all the main characters have killed themselves. Their wants and needs suddenly become stronger, or rather, they try harder to find wants and needs to begin with. All of these characters have very clearly defined goals; Sia wants to find his girlfriend, Eugene wants to find a connection and a sort of extended family, Makal wants to get out. Because they literally have nothing else to lose, they spend the entire movie working towards their goals. Somehow, by taking away the potential for risk and loss, the premise of the movie has made more dynamic characters than other movies where the stakes are incredibly high.
Because of this, a movie that has the potential to be really depressing is instead oddly uplifting. This afterlife, touted as a place that's slightly shittier than our world (drink), also has the potential for miracles and wonder. Fish change color in front of you. Strangers form connections in ways that weren't possible for them before. Parted families reunite and doomed lovers are consoled by the fact that they aren't alone. It's a movie about finding joy where you can, even if you feel like you can't (or aren't allowed to) smile.
Of course, this is all pieced together from my vague recollections of the movie, because as the hard mode player, I got VERY drunk playing this game. I picked the right rules, and for a movie this short that is imperitive. About forty minutes in, I had already downed two and a half drinks, and that was before the money scene:
Something interesting happens when you make a movie where all the main characters have killed themselves. Their wants and needs suddenly become stronger, or rather, they try harder to find wants and needs to begin with. All of these characters have very clearly defined goals; Sia wants to find his girlfriend, Eugene wants to find a connection and a sort of extended family, Makal wants to get out. Because they literally have nothing else to lose, they spend the entire movie working towards their goals. Somehow, by taking away the potential for risk and loss, the premise of the movie has made more dynamic characters than other movies where the stakes are incredibly high.
Because of this, a movie that has the potential to be really depressing is instead oddly uplifting. This afterlife, touted as a place that's slightly shittier than our world (drink), also has the potential for miracles and wonder. Fish change color in front of you. Strangers form connections in ways that weren't possible for them before. Parted families reunite and doomed lovers are consoled by the fact that they aren't alone. It's a movie about finding joy where you can, even if you feel like you can't (or aren't allowed to) smile.
Of course, this is all pieced together from my vague recollections of the movie, because as the hard mode player, I got VERY drunk playing this game. I picked the right rules, and for a movie this short that is imperitive. About forty minutes in, I had already downed two and a half drinks, and that was before the money scene:
If you're playing on hard mode, there's at least ten, maybe fifteen drinks in that segment. Count 'em.
"Hey, Isn't That...?"
About ten minutes into the movie, a couple of girls approach Sia in a bar and start playing a game with him. They look around the bar and try to guess how everyone killed themselves. It very nicely sets the scene, and the tone of the movie, and leads to Eugene's introduction.
I, however, was focused on the girl who was doing most of the talking.
"Seb," I said, "Wasn't that chick on Buffy?"
Seb wasn't sure, but I looked it up later, and sure enough she was. Her name's Azura Skye, and she's been around forever, hosting a plethora of credits in TV and film. It's just that she's a character actress, so her leading roles are much fewer and farther between. And she's only one of several actors throughout the movie we experienced this feeling with.
I, however, was focused on the girl who was doing most of the talking.
"Seb," I said, "Wasn't that chick on Buffy?"
Seb wasn't sure, but I looked it up later, and sure enough she was. Her name's Azura Skye, and she's been around forever, hosting a plethora of credits in TV and film. It's just that she's a character actress, so her leading roles are much fewer and farther between. And she's only one of several actors throughout the movie we experienced this feeling with.
Recognize her?
"This is a whole movie of "that guy"s", commented The Disco Sheriff. Possibly the coolest part of this movie is that all of the side characters are actors who have constantly been working, taking small roles or episode features whenever they can, but for some reason, possibly the distinct level of dottiness that accompanies character actors, don't take turns much in the spotlight. This movie even features a pre- "Parks and Recreation" Ron Swanson, back when he was a "that guy".
The conspicuous exception is Will Arnett, who plays a Messiah figure leading a religious cult in our post-suicide afterlife (come on, how great is that?). Basically, he's a more successfull and revered version of Gob from Arrested Development. And because he was the only "name" actor in the movie, he got top billing when the movie hit theaters. Even though his part is only ten lines long.
The conspicuous exception is Will Arnett, who plays a Messiah figure leading a religious cult in our post-suicide afterlife (come on, how great is that?). Basically, he's a more successfull and revered version of Gob from Arrested Development. And because he was the only "name" actor in the movie, he got top billing when the movie hit theaters. Even though his part is only ten lines long.
He still demands to be taken seriously.
Can we please, please, PLEASE make more movies starring these people? Hollywood is filled with talented actors who aren't being seen nearly enough because they're too "quirky". These people are REAL PEOPLE. They have tics, and strange faces, and attitudes towards life that have value and import. They don't try to be cheerful or upbeat because there are other emotions to express in the world. I would so much rather watch a movie like this filled with unique performers than any movie starring a pretty face who smiles real nice.
Not that all the performers in this movie are great...
Not that all the performers in this movie are great...
Makal vs. Desiree
"I hate her," said Seb as soon as Makal entered the movie. Makal. Our manic-depressive pixie dream girl.
Don't you want to put her in your pocket? No?
Seb's beef, Seb admitted later, is more with the actress who plays Makal rather than the character herself (apparently, she wasn't very good in A Knight's Tale), but the sentiment extends in all directions. What is it about her? She has some kind of cool traits; she's independent, she's single-minded, she doesn't take guff. But she kind of lacks backstory. We get a little bit of it, but not really enough to feel for her or justify her want to return to the real world.
"I don't mind Makal," said Bride of Buggerlas later, "because I HATE Desiree."
"I don't mind Makal," said Bride of Buggerlas later, "because I HATE Desiree."
NNNNGH
Seriously, this chick is the pinnacle of crazy girlfriends. The fact that it takes Sia the entire movie to realize that is distressing to me. Then again, if he knew that from the start, he wouldn't have killed himself in the first place, and then where would our movie be?
I'm just going to blame Sia and Makal's lack of chemistry on the fact that they can't smile. I think that works for me.
I'm just going to blame Sia and Makal's lack of chemistry on the fact that they can't smile. I think that works for me.
Of Muffins and Tom Waits
Two events coincided the night we played this game.
First, Sandy B'Drinkin dropped by and brought us blueberry muffins and sandwiches. It was awesome. Then she joined us in mocking the main characters and their decisions.
First, Sandy B'Drinkin dropped by and brought us blueberry muffins and sandwiches. It was awesome. Then she joined us in mocking the main characters and their decisions.
"Don't just stare at her like a fucking moron!" -Sandy
Around the same time, Tom Waits appeared. And there was much rejoicing.
"Best character entrance. Best ever!" -Seb and Bride of Buggerlas
Did you know that Tom Waits has his own page on TV tropes? I'm not surprised at all. The man is legendary. And this probably won't be the last time we see him.
"Tom Waits is old," said Seb at one point. "The next time he has a concert, we have to go."
"Yes," said Bride of Buggerlas, "Because he's going to die soon."
Guys, Tom Waits is 63. He has some time. I think he only SOUNDS like he's been smoking since he learned to ride a bicycle.
"Tom Waits is old," said Seb at one point. "The next time he has a concert, we have to go."
"Yes," said Bride of Buggerlas, "Because he's going to die soon."
Guys, Tom Waits is 63. He has some time. I think he only SOUNDS like he's been smoking since he learned to ride a bicycle.
The Results
After the movie, we tried to sing. It went about as well as could be expected.
I must say, I'm proud of this game. You might become a little sappy drunk after you're done playing it, but you'll enjoy it while it's happening. If you'd like to toy with the rules, here are some alternatives below.
Drink whenever you see someone smoke a cigarette.
Everyone seems to smoke here. Perhaps, as Bride of Buggerlas hypothesizes, it's because they aren't afraid of dying of lung cancer. Or maybe depressed people smoke a lot. Either way, it's something to watch out for.
Drink whenever someone chews gum.
Yeah...I have no explanation for the gum. It's mostly Eugene who does this, but occasionally Makal will steal a stick.
Drink for song title drops and source material title drops.
"Have I ever made you read Kneller's Happy Campers?" Bride of Buggerlas asked of the Disco Sheriff.
"No," he replied.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" she asked of herself.
Next week we'll look at a slightly happier movie.
Drink whenever you see someone smoke a cigarette.
Everyone seems to smoke here. Perhaps, as Bride of Buggerlas hypothesizes, it's because they aren't afraid of dying of lung cancer. Or maybe depressed people smoke a lot. Either way, it's something to watch out for.
Drink whenever someone chews gum.
Yeah...I have no explanation for the gum. It's mostly Eugene who does this, but occasionally Makal will steal a stick.
Drink for song title drops and source material title drops.
"Have I ever made you read Kneller's Happy Campers?" Bride of Buggerlas asked of the Disco Sheriff.
"No," he replied.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" she asked of herself.
Next week we'll look at a slightly happier movie.
Only slightly, though.
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