FILE UNDER: Lurking? Where?
CORPORATE LINE :
Joe Egender gives a “breakout performance” in this film festival hit as Conrad Stevens, a lackadaisical writer who finds himself evaluating his raucous, beer drinking, non-committal life on the night of his 30th birthday party. Feeling trapped in his suburban hometown, where he lives with his childhood friends in a bachelor pad they call “The Palace,” Connie decides that it’s time to face his biggest fear…growing up!
THE REVIEW:
The cleverly named “Connie” Stevens is about to turn 30, and is experiencing a litany of anxieties as the hours count down. The film centers around Connie waxing regretfully about missed opportunities, personal hang-ups, failed relationships and unrequited love. In fact, throughout most of 90 minutes Connie speaks directly to the camera about his sad-sack life. I’m partial to this film to a degree because it was filmed in my neck of the woods, in the San Francisco Bay Area. But besides that, it’s a well-done piece of work, especially considering it was shot with virtually no money, and in just a few days.
Lurking in Suburbia was an official selection at several independent-film fests, but I think it’s for different reasons than one might expect when looking at the publicity and promotion behind it. The packaging says it’s “hysterical,” and bears an “unrated” listing on the DVD cover. The cover also features a shot of our hero in hangover mode, adorned in a bathrobe and a ski hat, surrounded by horny cheerleaders. So, in assuming this film was along the lines of say Porky’s or Animal House, I broke out a Pabst and clicked the remote. But in reality, the film’s title, packaging and review sound bites are completely off base. First, this is not at all a frat-boy-comes-of-age-via-a-horny-coed flick; it’s far too introspective and sensitive. If anything, it’s more along the lines of High Fidelity. And aside from a few titties and four-letter words, there’s nothing keeping it from a PG-13 rating. Finally, I’m not at all sure what use the title has, except as maybe a slack metaphor that really doesn’t mean much in conjunction with the other more pertinent issues the film confronts.
THE EXTRAS:
Pretty standard fare here…a commentary, some deleted scenes and a few trailers.
FRANKLY:
Aside from the misleading hype and a few clichés, Lurking In Suburbia features some witty dialog and decent acting, and confronts a few of life’s pesky quirks that we can all relate to. Check it out.
+ Jim Kaz
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