The Living Wake (2007)

A dark comedy which chronicles the final day in the life of self-proclaimed artist and genius, K. Roth Binew. Binew is a dreamer who elevates his drab and somewhat pitiful existence into a ... See full summary »

Director:

Sol Tryon

Writers:

Peter Kline, Mike O'Connell

Stars:

Mike O'Connell, Jim Gaffigan, Jill Larson

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mike O'Connell	...	K. Roth Binew
Jim Gaffigan	...	Lampert Binew
Jill Larson	...	Alma Binew
Diane Kagan	...	Marla
Caleb Wentworth	...	Young K. Roth
Sam Goldfarb	...	K. Roth's Doctor
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Mills
Eddie Pepitone	...	Reginald
Ben Duhl	...	Liquorsmith
Matthew Cowles	...	Mossman
Stephen Brian Jones	...	Farmer
Peter Paton	...	Old Man
Colombe Jacobsen-Derstine	...	Prostitute
Ann Dowd	...	Librarian
Aaron J. Patton	...	Passerby Man

Storyline

A dark comedy which chronicles the final day in the life of self-proclaimed artist and genius, K. Roth Binew. Binew is a dreamer who elevates his drab and somewhat pitiful existence into a personal mythology. For his final day K. Roth Binew enlists his best friend, the unrecognized poet and biographer Mills Joquin to chronicle his final hours. Mills Joquin drives Binew around town on a bicycle-powered rickshaw. As the eccentric duo go about their day, Binew hands out invitations to his final party, a living wake, where Binew will do a short performance before dropping dead on the spot.

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Plot Keywords:

artist | black comedy

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Kennebunkport, Maine, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,821 (USA) (14 May 2010)

Gross:

$12,055 (USA) (16 July 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Drops Entertainment, Script Pimp, Mangusta Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

K. Roth Binew: I drink to bring myself down to the level of the common man. But remember: the common man drinks, so I must drink twice as much!

User Reviews

Incredibly underrated gem. Bound to be a classic.

I stumbled upon this movie quite by accident, and am I ever glad I did. I can not heap enough praise upon it. Everything about it appeals to me. Mike O'Connell is absolutely hilarious in his portrayal of the hapless K.Roth Binew, who's last day of life the film chronicles. We journey with K. Roth and his biographer/chauffeur/poet Mills Joaquin (played my Jesse Eisenberg) as he attempts to invite all who have touched his life to his 'Living Wake', to be held later that evening. Aside from a plot that is well rounded and fulfilling, the dialogue is both at times snappy and ridiculously over dramatic. O'Connell's facial expressions and mannerisms alone warrant a viewing. However, what I enjoyed most about this movie was everything going on in the background. While Binew's world is populated by people and places that at first seem familiar to us, upon closer inspection we see that his world has taken on a somewhat unreal, otherworldly twist. The costumes, the props, the lighting - even the hand painted signs all lend to a magical feeling that permeates the film. Even the humble score is beautiful, particularly the piece playing in the final scene. As of this writing, the film is available for free on Hulu, and I highly recommend a viewing. I, for one, having now seen it, will attempt to find a DVD copy for purchase. It's really that good.

7.5/10