Bobcat Goldthwait is a director I'm falling in love with. He blew me away with the dark comedy Worlds Greatest Dad and now he comes along with this twisted little gem. God Bless America is comedy at its blackest, but it's also a social commentary and criticism of modern society. Sure, it's dark. Yep, it is twisted. But it's also a smart movie that excellently portrays its themes in entertaining fashion.
The story revolves around Frank, a lonely man with no family, a daughter who reflects everything he hates and to top it all off - a tumor. One night, after losing his job, Frank has a few beers and decides he's had enough, so he goes on a killing spree to rid society of the citizens he hates. Along for the ride is Roxy, an alienated 16 year old girl with an awful home life.
At his core, Frank is moralistic and believes in values from the days of yore. Frank isn't portrayed as a demented psycho, but he's trigger happy towards anyone who's rude. However, the films killing spree is more of a metaphorical attack on society; it's a statement against everything from reality television to talking in the cinema.
Roxy on the other hand is an upset teenager who just wants to be understood. Frank is the father figure she craves and she is the daughter he wants. Together, they form a companionship that they've been looking for their entire lives. In the eyes of society though, Frank looks like a pedophile, but really it's just a friendship between a middle aged man and a teenage girl.
God Bless America is satire at its best. Sure, it's comedy for the blackest of humor, but it's a reflection on modern society that some of you might agree with. On top of that it's a very funny movie with a dark little heart, in the same vein as Falling Down.
I am glad that you enjoyed this one as much as I did. A lot of people seemed to complain that it was just a revision of the excellent Falling Down but I see it as "the same but different". Goldthwait is great. You should also check out Shakes The Clown if you can get a hold of it.
ReplyDeleteI'll try and get a hold of it.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, this had a lot in common with Falling Down, but it reminded me more of Super than anything.
Oh yeah, good point. And I need to rewatch Super and write up my review.
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