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Deany Bean is Dead
USA 2018
produced by Mikael Kreuzriegler, Allison Marie Volk for Volkal Pictures, Operation Kreuzriegler
directed by Mikael Kreuzriegler
starring Allison Marie Volk, Colin Taylor Martin, Christopher Glenn Cannon, Wendy Wilkins, Sarah Siadat, Paul Tigue, Melanie Leanne Miller, Paulina Lule, Kaitlin Huwe, Ben Horwitz, Nicholas Thurkettle, Natasha McCrea, Sonja Inge, Bodie Newcomb, Jay Wallace, Cora Riley, Jennifer Champion
written by Allison Marie Volk, music by Cindy O'Connor
review by Mike Haberfelner
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Deany (Allison Marie Volk) is not exactly at a high point in her life:
She's still heartbroken of her ex Tom (Christopher Glenn Cannon) breaking
up with her, and now she learns he's already engaged to her successor,
Angela (Sarah Siadat), she hates her job, hates her boss Maxine (Wendy
Wilkins) even more, and then she's fired even. She's so fed up with this
that when she stumbles upon Maxine on the parking deck, she strangles her
to death. To not be caught red-handed, she hides Maxine's body in her
trunk, and figures she best buried her where people least expect it - in
her ex boyfriend's garden. After all, Tom and Angela are on a trip to
South America, presently. Only they're not, they've returned only today,
and Angela catches Deany in the garden - but not knowing who Deany
actually is, she invites her in, believing her to be part of the
welcome-back party they're giving that night. And what a party that is,
guests are of all people Deany's former psychiatrist (Paul Tigue) and his
wife (Melanie Leanne Miller) and Tom's estranged brother Myron (Colin
Taylor Martin) - and of course, there's a totally weird atmosphere to all
of this, and things slightly get out of hand pretty much constantly,
especially when it starts to show that the relationship between Tom and
Angela might not be as ideal as they try to make everyone believe, and
that Tom still does have feelings for Deany. But things only actually go
to hell when believed-dead Maxine shows up at the party as well, with not
the slightest recollection who she is and what might have happened to her,
and Deany, trying to use this to her advantage, only makes things worse,
way worse ...
If dark comedies are your thing, then you'll in all
probability like Deany Bean is Dead, as its underlying humour is
really morbid, but the film doesn't go overboard with things or tries to
just outgross the audience for a few laughs but puts an emphasis on
understatement and really let's the premise grow out of shape all by
itself and with a gusto. That's thanks to clever writing with an instinct
for odd and hilarious situations and strong characters to carry the thing,
and a direction that translates the subtleties of the script rather
nicely. And Allison Marie Volk sure makes a lead that's likeable despite
of (or maybe because of) all her flaws (and there are many), and she's
supported by a solid ensemble. Lots of fun for sure!
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