★★★★☆
Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad’s new film Chili Finger is a dark comedy that lands. Focusing on story, dialogue, characters, and sheer wit, the film keeps things simple, allowing the satire to flourish.
Penned by Stephen Helstad, the script is the baseline of the film, while the actors are its heartbeat.
“A black comedy that is finger-licking good!”
Inspired by, but not a dramatization of, the 2005 incident in which a couple tried to blackmail Wendy’s into paying them after planting a human finger in their chili.
Chili Finger follows a small-town lawyer who finds a finger in her bowl of chili at a chain restaurant and tries to blackmail the owners to take back control of her average life.
Things quickly spiral out of control when the owner’s right-hand man starts an investigation of his own.
What one would expect to be a drama, with minor moments of comedic relief to break up the slower moments, is instead a satire with moments of drama to ground the film.
While the narrative is interesting enough and flows well, the characters are what drive the film to the next level and define the movie.
Ron, played by Sean Astin, is the husband of Jess, played by Judy Greer. He is the most honest and carefree person, almost dimwitted.
Crafting the role as a modern Barney Fife, Astin portrays a lovable guy who is clearly from a small town and embraces that life to the fullest, fulfilled by the simplest things.
His approach to the whole situation is that it’s a simple mistake, and he’s more than happy to accept a year of free chili as a gracious offer.
He’s more devastated at the thought of being banned from the restaurant chain than anything else.
Crafting a realistic version of someone everyone probably knows, a man of simple pleasures.
Then there’s Dave, the right-hand man played by Bryan Cranston, who is the film’s ace in the hole. Not only does he bring the character to life, but without him, the film doesn’t work.
Dave is a Vietnam veteran, an eccentric and deceptively bumbling enforcer who isn’t on the payroll, but rather an old friend of the owner.
A seemingly harmless person with a demeanor that masks a far darker and more sinister personality.
He has this folksy charm paired with awkward mannerisms and predictably unhinged outbursts that are both violent and counterproductive, yet highly effective. His oddball appearance makes him comical, offering a perfect balance that makes his character entertaining while unsettling.
He plays well off John Goodman’s character, Blake Jr., who is more grounded but still very principle-driven, calculated, and not so savvy when it comes to professionalism and the rich persona. He’s less of a loose cannon but still ready to rumble and draw blood if need be.
They all surround the two more grounded characters of Jess, played by Judy Greer, and Blake Jr. 2, played by Madeline Wise, who are the only two characters grounded in reality and levelheaded.
Their motives and actions are based on logical decisions, ones that are cut and dry, where everything works out with the least amount of mutual destruction, even when their logical thinking is slightly flawed in hindsight.
Edd Benda and Stephen Helstad’s direction is where everything comes together blissfully. It’s their keen sense of story and keeping things close to the chest that allows them to rein in every scene just right.
“Walks a fine line between deliverance and disaster.”
The film walks a fine line between deliverance and disaster, coming out the other side as a well-crafted, enjoyable, and hilarious satire that delivers.
“Hilarious satire that delivers.”
Related Reviews
Appotenlacs Review: Bloody AI Horror Finds a Fresh Angle Despite an Uneven Execution
Paper Ghost Review — A Visually Driven Meditation on Grief and Isolation
Pingback: Paradise Lost Review: Yeon Sang-ho’s Ambitious Character-Driven Thriller - Four Time Film School Dropout