“Make like a tampon and get the hell out of my bloody hole”
– Mr. Sawyer
We have all been there. Stuck in a meaningless job, surrounded by complacent
co-workers, and intimidated by an overbearing boss. However, we may not have been in this circle of office hell
that Liam Regan’s Banjo slams us into: A dizzying color palette of stark reds and
fluorescent overheads shine light on that fact that good-hearted Peltzer
Arbuckle’s megalomaniac boss could possibly be the devil. Clad in a garish red vest and wielding
a golf club pitchfork, this boss takes asshole to a new level. He terrorizes the brilliantly acted
Laurence R. Harvey to the breaking point, sleeps with Peltzer’s girlfriend, and
relentlessly bullies his employees alongside his cruel corporate cronies.
Now, what is Peltzer going to do about this? This is where
the fun begins. Break out your
Ouija Board.
This film is a like love-letter to Troma movies. With allusions to the Toxic Avenger,
ridiculous cake-scarfing montages, “I Heart Tromaville High School” bumper
stickers, and even a cameo by Lloyd Kaufman himself, Banjo has affectionately
borrowed key characteristics of the Troma films themselves. From the beginning child-like innocence
of protagonist Peltzer Arbuckle, to the cartoonish villains who thrust his
virtue into nonexistence, Banjo embraces Troma’s surrealistic nature,
reoccurring narrative themes of revenge-based horror, and shocking imagery fans
have come to love.
This picture can definitely also be grouped into British
exploitation film territory.
Bloodgasm geysers and eye-watering barf factors have us both laughing
and cringing hard, grindhouse style.
The John Waters style of bad taste oozes throughout, the Bugs Bunny-like
gags delight, and it seems Drop Dead Fred has an evil new playmate. There is even an office romance that
tenderly winds its way around the body count.
And lest we forget the bouncing bosom and sexual exploits of
goth torturess, Deetz. They are
way over the top, and gentlemen, you don’t ever want Deetz on top.
The lewd and the ludicrous fuse here in a blood-spattered,
pulpy cult classic in the making.
It is gory, funny, has the ability to pluck at our heartstrings and
*gulp* even our banjo strings.
Regan has some serious talent here, watch out UK, watch out world.
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Please join us Monday, March 7th for a free screening of BANJO with director Liam Regan in attendance! Screenland Armour in Kansas City, Missouri. Event info HERE.
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