Crying with Laughter (2009)

I have to disagree with graham 525's review. The film was, and was supposed to look like a low budget movie. Personally, I think this approach was honest and gritty. If you want glamour, watch Hollywood! The script was down to earth - like the filming, it tried to give a sense of realism, as if you were watching someone's video diaries.The acting was good and the character Frank was totally convincing. Albeit he came across as strange for the most part of the film but strange was the correct approach. This guy, as it turned out, had a terrible past and had also spent his adult life in the forces, so had no doubt seen a lot of terrible things and been through a lot. It will come clear in the end.The ending is not daft at all. The daughter is kidnapped in an attempt to bring Joey to the final destination. I also believe Frank blames Joey for some of his later suffering and looks to expose Joey's young daughter to the horror that he has been through in the school.A good "night in" film, with good locations, with good "honest, non-Hollywood" acting.

A coked-up, alcoholic narcissist making money by catering his stand-up 'shtick' to his like-minded contemporaries in dimly lit bars like the Bull Pit personifies our protagonist, Joey Frisk, at least to the eye. This comedian was behind in child support and rent, and and just came off as a making it day-to-day, near-do-well, who-cares kind of chap. Consequently, when he once again began his disgusting hyperbole regarding some woman, I felt like shutting this down, and then… WOW! Frank began his magic! Justin Molotnikov, Writer and Director, methodically paced Frank's character to move this piece along like a thriller ought to move. Indeed, we got to know at least the facade of the two main characters fairly well and then, like a train that hits a long 7% grade, we watch the whole thing unfold in a manner which cannot be stopped. The subject matter is dark; the things we do to ourselves and others in order to survive make us, at times, walking talking paradoxes and that is what Joey had become. But, will he grow to be as dangerous as Frank? Malcom Shields and Stephen McCole are exceptional!!! Included: Bawdiness, humor, drama, thrills, depth of character, redemption. 10/06/2010

A shambolic stand up comic Joey Fisk (a terrific Stephen McCole in a welcome lead role) meets an acquaintance from his school days Frank Archer (an understated Malcolm Shields) whose attentions have a sinister ulterior motive.It's hard enough to do a comedy or a really good thriller with genuine shocks but to combine them both without diminishing either is a real accomplishment from writer/director Justin Molotnikov.It's great to see a whole cast of Scottish faces that are new to the big screen.Here's hoping it gets a good distribution deal.

I am a professional screenwriter, and when I see something brilliant, I find myself thinking, "Gee, I wish I'd written that script." I just saw this at the EIFF and had those exact thoughts. A brilliant script, directed well by the writer, and it looks like his first feature. A gripping tale that is entertaining, funny, and thought provoking. The R rating it will receive is both necessary and appropriate -- even though I'm not a fan of R movies, I am a fan of this one. Great message, to boot, but never heavy handed or on the nose. I hope this gets wide distribution -- it deserves it. Only distraction for me is that the Scots accents are quite strong and may not sit well with American audiences who don't have the ear for it. Perhaps it will need subtitles for that crowd -- hah! Great acting, BTW. A solid, different, great film. yh