Cast overview: | |||
Wil Wheaton | ... | Andy | |
Brian Landis Folkins | ... | David | |
Amy Rutledge | ... | Lisa | |
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Kathleen Brady | ... | Lucille |
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Adrian Egolf | ... | Diane |
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Josh Staab | ... | Cameraman |
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Luke Sorge | ... | Customer |
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Olivia Hendrick | ... | Susan |
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Karin Carr | ... | Carla |
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Sara Woodyard | ... | Mary |
Brandon Fryman | ... | Skate City Employee |
Set in 1990, a lonely bachelor named David (Brian Landis Folkins) searches for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his aging mother (Kathleen Brady). While seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-A-Pal. Hosted by the charming and charismatic Andy (Wil Wheaton), the tape offers him much-needed company, compassion, and friendship. But, Andy's friendship comes at a cost, and David desperately struggles to afford the price of admission. Written by Pretty People Pictures
This small movie hits all the right notes. The story of a single man living in his Mom's basement, lonely and frustrated by his Mom's illness, the film is perfectly cast by actors who are each wonderful in their role, but especially Brian Landis Folkins in the lead. It's the type of performance that the Oscar's would never recognize but should. Recreating an era to perfection when we were all still using VHS tapes , with excellent cinematography, this movie is brutally realistic and expertly written and directed. Jon Stevenson who wrote and directed created a very detail oriented movie and also a very tragic one. If there is a real problem with this movie , it's that the movie is so detailed it doesn't quite move along as it should , at least to be entertaining. The plot is actually very slight and it takes some patience to get to the finale. Ultimately as well crafted as the movie is, it's also very depressing , dark and so realistic in it's portrayal of loneliness and resentment that it's not going to be for everyone. I think it's worth it for the performances alone, but be warned, this is not the feel good movie of 2020.