Dying for Dollars (2007) (V)

Director:

Ray Etheridge

Writer:

Ray Etheridge (writer)

Release Date:

19 October 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"Murder?...or just wishful thinking?"

Plot:

The story of Benny, a mentally challenged young man who is caught in the middle of a dysfunctional family and their quest for money.

Cast

Gloria Barto	...	Grandma
Bill Carter	...	Dave Larson
Henry Lawrence Gaisford	...	Party Goer
Bob Gray	...	William Taggert
Joe Hennessy	...	Party Goer
Elaine Hoffman	...	Betty Larson
Jerry Hurst	...	Repo Guy#1
Chase Jazzborne	...	Officer Bateman
Edward Kassar	...	Vinny Valpini
Jessica King	...	Party Goer
Pam Mankowski	...	Mrs. Valpini
Ryan Paul	...	TV Host
Michael Rayburn	...	Scotty Larson
Lane Riser	...	Repo Man #2
Barbrette Roth	...	Radio Contest Winner
Guy D. Wells	...	Benny
Eric Young	...	Radio Host

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

UK:12

Filming Locations:

Palm Bay, Florida, USA

Company:

Golden West Films

Soundtrack:

SWEET BENNY

What the hell was that?

"Dying for Dollars" is one of those ultra-low budget movies that are exceedingly flawed, but represent a bigger picture of the independent film sector of the industry, thus encouraging a vote of confidence in the 'good effort' department. This is not a very good movie, but it's so sporadically interesting and occasionally weird that the budgetary restraints noticeably did not keep the filmmakers from making something marginally watchable. Basically the story follows a family full of gamblers as they lose big and hope grandma dies soon so they can cash in. Or something like that, but there is some less focused plot line about the special needs adult cousin that insults the intelligence of all involved. Is this a dark comedy? It's not quite clear, because the tone is all over the map, and the over the top nature of the piece may or may not relate to the amateurish performances. The main filmmaker who handled the writing, directing, and camera duties has a surprisingly full resume here on IMDb, given the mostly freshman textbook shot list they must have working from and the aforementioned out of control acting. This is one of those festival circuit flicks that will never get much of an audience, and kind of doesn't deserve one, but it is a reminder that there are plenty of alternatives to the Cineplex good, bad, and the uncertain space in between that "Dying for Dollars" occupies.