The Death of Dick Long

The Death of Dick Long is a film so weird that the film simply existing is a big win. It's just a bonus that it's also a very sincere drama hiding the weirdest answer to what seems like a fairly simple question. There's some substantial pacing issues but originality makes up for a lot in this case.

Everyone here nails the specific kind of quirk this film is going for however, Michael Abbott Jr. Is the standout. Spending a lot of the film stressed out with a level of incompetence that would make Coen brothers characters feel smart by comparison. He even turns the wildest twist into a heartbreaking moment.

Daniel Scheinert's direction starts the film strong, then gets some solid tension out of its interrogations and Zeke's struggles to hide the truth. The frenetic score by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell is an ideal companion to what's on screen and the decision to end on a nickelback song really fits.