Cheap Thrills hits Blu-ray on May 27th from Drafthouse Films
Cheap Thrills first came to my attention last September at the 2013 Fantastic Fest when I heard there was someone in the restroom rinsing hot sauce off their balls. Let me repeat that, washing hot sauce… off their balls. After missing that now infamous screening, I caught a repeat showing and was blown away by the twisted, dark, hilarious and surprisingly relevant social commentary of the movie. It was easy to say yes to revisiting it on blu-ray. We’ve sung the praises of Cheap Thrills previously on Cinapse with James’ theatrical review here and Vince conducted an interview with the gracious and magnificent Sir Pat of Healy himself after the film’s Fantastic Fest premiere, check that out here.
THE MOVIE We meet Craig (Pat Healy) as his life starts to unravel, losing his job, finding a foreclosure notice on his apartment and a wife and child to take care of. He ventures into a seedy bar for some much needed consolation and encounters Vince (Ethan Embry), an old school friend. Reunited after 5 years the friends catch up over a few drinks. Soon an ostentatious couple, Colin (David Koechner) and Violet (Sara Paxton) make themselves known in the bar, Colin throwing around huge sums of money on drinks and bribes to the bartender to overlook his drug taking while Violet seems content to look on with cold amusement. A cheeky bet on Colin’s part prompts Vince to get a woman to slap him in the face in return for $200. As the alcohol flows so do the bets and soon the foursome are asked to leave and retreat to Colin’s home where the dares become far more disturbing but the rewards on offer represent a solution to each of Craig and Vince’s problems.
The script by David Chichirillo and Trent Haaga works as a pure, raucous comedy as well as, and perhaps more pertinently in this age, a commentary on class structure and social morals. The film brilliantly marries the one upmanship of old school friends with the extremes of desperation. Its not subtle, but then life rarely is. It is a dirty affair showing people at their lowest ebb being taken advantage of. Ugly people with wealth taking advantage, the haves versus the have-nots. It is not a far fetched premise, in an era where you can find “Tramp Fights” on YouTube and with reality TV fueling yearnings for fame and fortune, the degradation of oneself for money happens every day. The only questions are how desperate are you or how much is at stake? So, would you take the bet, or would you be complicit in laughing at a fool who does?
E.L. Katz takes this script and delivers an engaging and well paced film that offers much promise as a debut feature. It is shocking at times but never cheap, even though it is in the title. There is a real depth and maturity about the film and what it is trying to say. It is a thrill ride but overall it is a gradual descent for the two men, first realizing the financial benefits outweigh the personal embarrassment before questions arise over morality and eventual physical harm as things escalate. Wealth can change people; there can be a desperation to some of the steps ordinary people will take to protect themselves and loved ones. Some may sympathize with the decisions made, understanding the characters plight. Even if you’re an insensitive bastard, the physical and emotional ride this film takes you on will still entertain tremendously.
Koechner (Anchorman, Extract) revels in his role as the organ grinder making his monkeys dance for the pleasure of his wife. Paxton (The Last House on the Left) is an alluring, cold presence that serves as an interesting reflection of the audience with her interest cranking up as the dares do. But ultimately, the film is rooted in the performances of Embry (Empire Records) and Healy (The Innkeepers) as the old buddies reunited in this shit storm of insanity. Healy especially conveys a man driven by genuine desperation showing restraint and reason (such as can be mustered) in the face of the increasing madness. The cast being so committed and identifiable are what root the film, ensuring ensure you buy into these increasingly elaborate and disturbing challenges all for the sake of a few dollars more.
THE PACKAGEOne of the main reasons I was interested in revisiting Cheap Thrills was in checking out the bonus materials. Upon its release there was a large social media push with cast members criss-crossing the country to host screenings where audience members were challenged with dares in crazy preshows such as the one at Fantastic Fest. That pre-show itself is included here and yes… you see balls going into hot sauce. Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse and Drafthouse Films founder, threw himself into proceedings participating in dares such as drinking from his own shoe or pissing in his own pants. He even went so far as to offer your money back and an opportunity to slap him in the face if you didn’t like the film. What lingered longest in the mind was Pat Healy’s homage to Burt Reynolds.
On top of a digital copy and great image transfer, the disc includes a 16 page booklet that shows the lobby cards and other promotional materials that were deployed to coincide with the theatrical release of the film. The biggest extra is Vital Heat: The Making of Cheap Thrills. This 45 minute documentary shows the entire development of the film, through its filming and up to its first Festival screening. It offers a great look at the difficulties in making a film, scene preparation and really is great for getting to know the cast and crew. A more intimate look at things rather than some generic spliced together token footage. Overall, a welcome reminder that some studios make a little bit more of an effort than others when it comes to blu-ray extras.
Cheap Thrills is a bold directorial debut that provides a cutting social commentary as well as hilarious black comedy. A tense and well paced effort with gripping performances. Best viewed with an audience. Get some friends over, knock back a few beers, line up some shots and sit back and watch some fucked up shit escalate. A genuine blast.