The Strange Thing About the Johnsons (2011)

A dark domestic melodrama/satire about the ties that bind and the ties that really bind.

Director:

Ari Aster

Writer:

Ari Aster

Stars:

Matt Baker, Kay Benjamin, Angela Bullock

Cast

Credited cast:
Matt Baker	...	Truck Driver
Kay Benjamin	...	Wedding Guest
Angela Bullock	...	Joan Johnson
Mark Campbell	...	Wedding Guest
Stanley Bennett Clay	...	Howard
Casey Desmond	...	Howie
Donald R. Dinkins	...	Wedding Guest
Brandon Greenhouse	...	Isaiah
Reatha Grey	...	Marianne Mother
Connie Jackson	...	Grace
Anna Jean	...	Marianne Friend
Carlon Jeffery	...	Young Isaiah
John C. Johnson	...	Marianne Father
Billy Mayo	...	Sydney
Matthew McCray	...	Portrait Photographer

Storyline

The Johnsons are an attractive, well-to-do, upper-middle class family. Sidney, husband and father, is a famous poet, known and adored for his kindness and sensitivity. Joan, wife and mother, is a dutiful housewife, an obsessive homemaker and the life of every party. Their son, Isaiah, is a charismatic young man who has just gotten married to an equally appealing young woman. In fact, there is only thing that separates the Johnsons from their charming friends and neighbors: Isaiah, the son, has been molesting Sidney, the father, since he was twelve years old. And what's more, Sidney has written a memoir that chronicles, in great detail, the ins-and-outs of this unseemly father-son relationship. Will the manuscript ever see the light of day, or will young Isaiah have a thing or two to say about it? THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THE JOHNSONS is a dark satire of the domestic melodrama, which asks "What if...?" and then, for some reason, comes up with an answer.

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Plot Keywords:

written by director | thinking about the future

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Film Institute Conservatory

Technical Specs

Runtime:

28 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1) Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Blown away!

I was amazed at this movie! It was not at all what I expected it to be. The production values, cinematography, acting, writing, directing, and editing were absolutely phenomenal. Most of the other reviewers here have given it a low rating due to how uneasy the subject material made them. One even goes so far as to say "the content of this project is not only disgusting, but implausible and completely ridiculous." However the very next line in the review is "I know these things actually happen," So how can something be both implausible and ridiculous, yet actually happen? This movie is great. It is thought provoking and I think does a good good of presenting an often uncontemplated take on the dark motifs the movie explores. It is designed to make the audience uncomfortable so that, hopefully, they will talk about what they have just watched. My hat goes off to the filmmaker and all those involved for creating a truly unique and visionary piece of cinema.