Review of Eagle vs Shark (2007) by Newt C — 15 Jan 2009

Let's get the Napoleon comparison out of the way right off the bat. I think this film is FAR superior. They trade in much the same humor, with the big difference for me being their approach to the characters.

In ND, I never understood why he was the way he was. It's like the writer and director expect you to see quirky characters and just accept that yep, that's what they're like. Whereas with EvS, I get the sense that Clement's character is awkward because of his brother's death and his father's disappointment.

Horsley's character is awkward because of a similar odd and somewhat painful upbringing. EvS takes the time to develop these people instead of just throwing them at you and expecting that that's good enough.

Clement's character is obnoxious, but it's because he's so desperate to connect with his father and live up to his brother. The romantic relationship rang truer and more interesting than the one in ND as well.

This is a funny, unexpectedly touching little indie comedy that truth be told doesn't deserve the ND comparisons it gets and DOES deserve to be praised far above that wretched waste of time.